Learn more about your Medicare Advantage options.
When you first become eligible for Medicare benefits it's called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before your 65th birthday month and lasts for three months after your 65th birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 on May 18, your IEP starts February 1st and ends August 31st.
Before Birthday Month
There are advantages to enrolling early. If you apply for Medicare in the three months before your birthday month, your coverage will begin on the first day of your birthday month. In this example, if you apply in March, your coverage will begin May 1st - an early birthday present!
During Birthday Month
If you choose to apply during your birthday month, your coverage won't start until the following month - here, your coverage would begin on June 1st.
After Birthday Month
If you apply for Medicare in the three months after your birthday month, your coverage will begin the first of the month following your application. In this example, if you apply in June, July or August, your coverage start date will be the first day of the following month after your application is received. It is important to note that you may pay a penalty or have a gap in coverage if you don't enroll when you're first eligible.
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