A step-by-step guide to ensure smooth enrollment and avoid costly penalties
Learn the difference between Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Read our Medicare 101 guide for a comprehensive overview.
If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B. If not, you'll need to actively sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
If you have group health insurance through an employer with 20+ employees, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty. Request a creditable coverage letter from your employer's HR department to confirm this.
Create a complete list of all prescription drugs including name, dosage, frequency, and pharmacy. You'll need this to compare Part D and MAPD formularies.
If you're considering Medicare Advantage, you'll need to verify your current providers are in-network. Make a list of all doctors, specialists, and hospitals you use.
Your IEP is a 7-month window: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, the birthday month itself, and 3 months after.
Sign up at ssa.gov or your local Social Security office. Part A is premium-free for most people and there's no reason to delay it.
If you don't have creditable employer coverage, enroll in Part B during your IEP to avoid the permanent late enrollment penalty (10% per year of delay).
This is the biggest decision. See our MA vs. Medigap comparison to understand the trade-offs.
Your first 6 months on Part B are the Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the only time insurers must accept you regardless of health status. Don't miss this window.
Either as a standalone PDP (with Original Medicare) or as part of an MAPD plan. Delaying enrollment without creditable coverage triggers a permanent penalty of 1% per month.
Your red, white, and blue Medicare card should arrive within a few weeks of enrollment. It lists your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).
Create an account at medicare.gov to view your coverage, claims, and preventive services schedule.
This free preventive visit is available within the first 12 months of Part B enrollment. It includes a health risk assessment, depression screening, and advance care planning discussion.
Each year during AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7), compare your current plan against other options. Plans change their formularies, premiums, and networks every year.