Short answer: Your enrollment window is 7 months around your 65th birthday — enroll in the first 3 months so coverage starts on time and you avoid lifelong penalties. Below: the Washington, D.C.-specific piece most guides skip.
Turning 65 in Washington, D.C. means the same federal deadline as everywhere — plus state specifics worth knowing before you choose. Here's the plain-English version.
Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period
The window: 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself, and 3 months after. Enroll early for coverage that starts the first of your birthday month. Miss it without other creditable coverage and the Part B penalty (10% per full year delayed, for life) and the Part D drug-coverage penalty apply.
DC: the federal-retiree question (FEHB + Medicare)
Washington is full of federal retirees, and the big turning-65 question here is FEHB + Medicare coordination. Unlike most retiree coverage, FEHB can continue alongside Medicare — many federal retirees keep FEHB, add premium-free Part A, then weigh whether Part B is worth its premium given FEHB's coverage. There's no single right answer; it depends on your FEHB plan, health, and budget — but it deserves a real analysis, not a default.
Free help in Washington, D.C.
iCoach Solutions has licensed agents serving Washington, D.C. — meet them on our Washington, D.C. page — comparing Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Part D plans across many carriers at no cost, in English & Español. For under-65 coverage, the District runs its own exchange — DC Health Link — and the DC Health Insurance Counseling Project offers free Medicare counseling. Map your dates with our free Medicare Readiness Timeline.
Turning 65 in Washington, D.C.? Let's compare your options — free.Licensed agents, no pressure, English & Español. Book online or call (253) 453-5885 →iCoach Solutions is an independent insurance agency with licensed agents serving Washington, D.C.. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. State program rules can change — confirm current details when you apply.