It depends on when you want your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to begin.
When you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, you will be granted a seven (7) month window of time in which to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (this is your Initial Enrollment Period or IEP).
You can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan up to 3 months before your birthday month (or month of Medicare eligibility), the month of your birthday, and 3 months after your birthday month (or date of eligibility - so, your initial enrollment period would begin in June and continue through December.
June - July - August - (September) - October - November - December
If you enroll before September (your Medicare eligibility month), your plan will take effect the month your Medicare starts - or the first day of your birthday month of September (for example, if you enroll in August, your Part D coverage will begin September 1st).
If you enroll during or after September, your plan will start the month after you enroll (for example: if you enroll in October, your Part D prescription drug plans starts November 1). If you wait until December to enroll, your Part D drug coverage begins January 1st.
Bottom Line: If you need prescription drug coverage - enroll before September (your 65th birthday month) - if you do not need drug coverage, you can save the monthly premium cost and enroll later in your IEP: November or December.
If you need assistance choosing and enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan, please call a Medicare representative at 1-800-633-4227.
Then next year: After your IEP, you will have a chance to change your Medicare Part D plan coverage during the annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) that starts October 15th and continues through December 7th of each year with new coverage beginning on January 1st.
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Question:
What is the Medicare Part D IEP or Initial Enrollment Period?
When you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, you will be granted a seven (7) month window of time in which to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (this is your Initial Enrollment Period or IEP).
You can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan up to 3 months before your birthday month (or month of Medicare eligibility), the month of your birthday, and 3 months after your birthday month (or date of eligibility - so, your initial enrollment period would begin in June and continue through December.
June - July - August - (September) - October - November - December
If you enroll before September (your Medicare eligibility month), your plan will take effect the month your Medicare starts - or the first day of your birthday month of September (for example, if you enroll in August, your Part D coverage will begin September 1st).
If you enroll during or after September, your plan will start the month after you enroll (for example: if you enroll in October, your Part D prescription drug plans starts November 1). If you wait until December to enroll, your Part D drug coverage begins January 1st.
Bottom Line: If you need prescription drug coverage - enroll before September (your 65th birthday month) - if you do not need drug coverage, you can save the monthly premium cost and enroll later in your IEP: November or December.
If you need assistance choosing and enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan, please call a Medicare representative at 1-800-633-4227.
Then next year: After your IEP, you will have a chance to change your Medicare Part D plan coverage during the annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) that starts October 15th and continues through December 7th of each year with new coverage beginning on January 1st.
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Question:
What is the Medicare Part D IEP or Initial Enrollment Period?
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