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People With Medicare

Initial Enrollment Period

For Medicare Part A and B, and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage:

The Initial Enrollment Period is the first time you can sign up for Medicare. You may join Medicare Part A, Part B, and a Part D drug plan during this time:

• The 3 months before your 65th birthday,
  
• The month of your birthday, and
  
• The three months after your birthday.

Your coverage will start no sooner than your birthday month.

Example: If you turn 65 on July 10, 2011, your Initial Enrollment Period begins April 1. Your coverage will start no sooner than July 1, 2011.

Note: If you miss this period, you will have a chance again later on. But if you wait, you may have to pay more. You also could be without health coverage.

When Does Your Part B Coverage Begin?

The start date of your coverage will depend on which month you enrolled in Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period.

Example: John turns 65 in May. Therefore, his IEP is from February to August. If John signs up for Part B:

• During February, March, or April, his coverage starts May 1.
• During May, his coverage starts, June 1.
• During June, his coverage starts August 1.
• During July, his coverage starts October 1.
• During August, his coverage would not start until November 1.

When Does Your Part D Coverage Begin?

The start date of your Part D coverage again depends on when you enroll.

Example: Keeping with the example above, John turns 65 in May. His Part D IEP is the same 7-month period surrounding his 65th birthday as his Part B IEP. His IEP is from February to August. John's Part D coverage cannot start before his Part A and/or B begins. If John enrolls in Part D:

• During February, March, or April, his coverage starts May 1.
• During May, his coverage starts June 1.
• During June, his coverage starts July 1 (but not before his Part A and/or B).
• During July, his coverage starts August 1 (but not before his Part A and/or B).
• During August, his coverage starts September 1 (but not before his Part A and/or B).

If you are not getting Social Security retirement benefits: You should contact Social Security during this period to sign up for Medicare. The month you join affects the start date of your Medicare coverage. The sooner you contact Social Security, the sooner you will get coverage.

If you get Social Security disability benefits: Your Medicare card should arrive around a month before your Medicare starts. Usually it will come the 23rd month that you get disability benefits. If it does not come by the 24th month, contact Social Security.

NEXT: General Enrollment Period