What is Medicare

Timing is important. You can only sign up for certain Medicare plans during these specified enrollment periods:

• Initial Enrollment – Begins three months before your 65th birthday to three months after your 65th birthday.
• General Enrollment – If you didn’t sign up for Medicare when you were first eligible, you can do so during this period (January 1 to March 31). Your coverage will start on July 1 and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
• Annual Enrollment – Join Medicare Advantage and/or Part D (you must have already joined Original Medicare); October 15 to December 7.