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When Can You Sign Up for Medicare Part A and Part B?

 Enrollment Periods:


Initial Enrollment Period

You can sign up when you’re first eligible for Part A and/or Part B (for which you pay monthly Premiums) during your Initial Enrollment Period. For example, if you’re eligible when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

3 months before the month you turn 65 2 months before the month you turn 65 1 month before the month you turn 65 The month you turn 65 1 month after the month you turn 65 2 months after the month you turn 65 3 months after the month you turn 65
Sign up early to avoid a delay in coverage. To get Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65, you must sign up during the first 3 months before the month you turn 65. If you wait until the last 4 months of your Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B, your coverage will be delayed. See chart below.


Medicare and You Important Note
Note: If you’re automatically enrolled, these enrollment periods don’t apply to you.

If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage start date will depend on your birthday:
  • If your birthday isn’t on the first day of the month, your Part B coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. For example, Mr. Green’s 65th birthday is July 20, 2024. If he enrolls in April, May, or June, his coverage will start on July 1, 2024.
  • If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage will start the first day of the prior month. For example, Mr. Kim’s 65th birthday is July 1, 2024. If he enrolls in March, April, or May, his coverage will start on June 1, 2024. So, If your birthday is on the first day of the month, you will need to use the month before your birthday as "the month you turn 65." when reading the chart above.

If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your start date will be delayed:
If you enroll in this month of your initial enrollment period: Your coverage starts:
The month you turn 65 1 month after enrollment
1 month after you turn 65 2 months after enrollment
2 months after you turn 65 3 months after enrollment
3 months after you turn 65 3 months after enrollment




General Enrollment Period

If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you pay monthly Premiums) when you were first eligible, you can sign up between January 1–March 31 each year. Your coverage will begin July 1. You may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment. See: What You Pay for Medicare:


If you sign up during these months: Your coverage will begin on:
January July 1
February July 1
March July 1





Special Enrollment Period

If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you pay monthly Premiums) when you were first eligible because you’re covered under a group health plan based on current employment, you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B as follows:

Anytime that you or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) is working, and you’re covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work       Or      During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan insurance based on current employment ends, whichever happens first


Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. This Special Enrollment Period doesn’t apply to people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’re a volunteer serving in a foreign country.

Note: COBRA and retiree health plans aren’t considered coverage based on current employent. You’re not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends. To avoid paying a higher premium, make sure you sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible.




This website also offers a wealth of information regarding Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.



(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook. This content may have been enhanced by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)




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  • The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.
  • Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
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    "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options."
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.
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