Turning 65 soon? Enter your date of birth below to see your personal Medicare sign-up window, the date your coverage would start depending on the month you enroll, and your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Open Enrollment dates. If you’re working past 65, check the box to see your Special Enrollment Period too.
🔒 Your date of birth stays in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
How Medicare Enrollment Windows Work
| Window | When | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period | 7 months around your 65th birthday (3 before, birthday month, 3 after) | First chance to sign up for Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage and Part D |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 months starting the first month you have Part B and are 65+ | Buy a Medicare Supplement without health questions affecting approval or price |
| Special Enrollment Period (working past 65) | While covered by current employment, plus 8 months after it ends | Sign up for Part B late without a penalty |
| General Enrollment Period | January 1 – March 31 | Sign up for Part A/B if you missed your first chance. Penalties may apply |
| Annual Enrollment Period | October 15 – December 7 | Join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D plans |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | January 1 – March 31 | One switch for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan |
Want the full step-by-step? Read the turning 65 Medicare checklist, or see how the Part B late enrollment penalty works if you sign up late.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I first sign up for Medicare?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. If your birthday is on the 1st, everything shifts one month earlier.
When does my coverage start if I sign up during my birthday month?
Since 2023, if you sign up in the month you turn 65 or in the 3 months after, coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. Signing up in the 3 months before your birthday month lets coverage start the first day of your birthday month.
Do I have to sign up for Part B at 65 if I’m still working?
Not always. If you or your spouse are still working and covered by that employer’s group health plan, you can usually delay Part B without a penalty. You then have 8 months after the job or the coverage ends (whichever comes first) to sign up. Check with your employer’s benefits office about how their plan works with Medicare.
When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement?
During your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During that window, insurers can’t deny you or charge more because of your health.
What if I missed my Initial Enrollment Period?
If you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, January 1 – March 31 each year. Coverage starts the month after you sign up, and late enrollment penalties may apply.
Questions? Let’s Talk It Through
Dates make more sense when someone walks you through them, especially if you’re juggling employer coverage or a spouse’s plan. Call me at (919) 944-8443 or schedule a free consultation. No pressure, just straight answers.
Sources:
- Medicare.gov, When does Medicare coverage start?
- Medicare.gov, When can I sign up for Medicare?
- Social Security Administration, When to sign up for Medicare
- CMS, Enrolling in Medicare Part A & Part B (Publication 11036)
- CMS, Medicare & You 2026 (Publication 10050)
Written and reviewed by Michael Cubell, licensed independent insurance agent, Triangle Life & Health. Last reviewed October 2026. This page is general education, not individual advice.