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📅 Free Guide

Medicare timing: every window that matters

Miss the wrong enrollment window and the penalty follows you for life. This timeline covers every age and every deadline — so you know exactly when to act.

Part B Penalty

10% added for every 12 months you delay

And it's permanent. Delay 3 years = 30% higher Part B premium for the rest of your life.

Part D Penalty

1% per month without creditable drug coverage

Also permanent. 24 months without Part D = 24% higher Part D premium, forever.

Your Medicare timeline

Organized by age. Most people wait until 65 to start thinking about this — that's usually too late to do it well.

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Age 62–63
Research Phase

Start building your picture — before anything is urgent

  • Understand what Medicare covers (and what it doesn't: dental, vision, hearing, long-term care)
  • Learn the difference between Original Medicare, Medigap supplements, and Medicare Advantage
  • Check whether your current doctors accept Medicare assignment
  • Review your current prescriptions against the Medicare formulary system
No deadlines yet. This is research time. Use it.
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Age 64 — 6 months before 65
Preparation Phase

Confirm your situation — decisions get made here

  • Determine if you have qualifying employer coverage that lets you delay Medicare without penalty
  • Check your IRMAA status — if your income from 2 years ago exceeded $103k (single) / $206k (joint), your premiums will be higher
  • Compare Medicare Advantage plans vs. Original Medicare + Medigap in your area
  • Verify your doctors and hospitals are in-network on any Advantage plan you're considering
  • Schedule a consultation — plan comparisons take more time than people expect
If you're NOT covered by qualifying employer insurance, your clock is already ticking.
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Age 65 — Initial Enrollment Period
Critical Window

Your 7-month window — the most important deadline in Medicare

  • 3 months before your birthday month — IEP opens. Enroll now for coverage starting on the 1st of your birthday month
  • Your birthday month — Coverage starts the following month if you enroll now
  • 3 months after your birthday month — IEP closes. Coverage delays apply
  • Enroll in Part A (usually free) and Part B ($202.40/month standard in 2026)
  • Also enroll in a Part D drug plan or elect a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage
If you miss your IEP without qualifying employer coverage, you wait until the General Enrollment Period (Jan–Mar) and pay late penalties starting in July.
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Age 65+ — Still working?
Special Enrollment Period

If employer coverage is still active, you have options

  • You have a Special Enrollment Period that lasts 8 months after your employer coverage ends
  • The SEP applies only to qualifying employer coverage — not retiree insurance, COBRA, or marketplace plans
  • Your employer must have 20+ employees for this to apply; smaller employers require Medicare to be primary
  • Enroll within 8 months of losing employer coverage to avoid penalties
COBRA does NOT count as qualifying coverage for delaying Medicare. If you lose your job at 65 and go on COBRA, your penalty clock starts immediately.

Annual enrollment windows

These recur every year. Your Medicare situation should be reviewed at each one.

Oct 15 – Dec 7

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The main window to make changes. Changes take effect January 1.

  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or back)
  • Switch between Medicare Advantage plans
  • Join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan
  • Review your plan's updated formulary — it changes every year
Jan 1 – Mar 31

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

A second window specifically for Advantage enrollees.

  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  • Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (+ Part D)
  • Cannot switch from Original Medicare to Advantage during this period
  • Changes take effect the first of the following month
Jan 1 – Mar 31

General Enrollment Period

The "safety net" for people who missed their IEP — with a cost.

  • Enroll in Part A and/or Part B
  • Coverage starts July 1
  • Late enrollment penalties apply and are permanent
Anytime — triggered by life event

Special Enrollment Periods

Life changes that create new enrollment windows.

  • Losing qualifying employer coverage
  • Moving out of a plan's service area
  • Plan losing Medicare contract
  • Qualifying for Extra Help / Low Income Subsidy

Note: This is general educational information, not individualized insurance, tax, or legal advice. Premium amounts and income thresholds change annually. Consult a licensed Medicare professional before making enrollment decisions.

Questions about your specific situation?

Email us. No pitch, just answers.

Medicare timing depends on your income, your employer coverage, your prescriptions, and your doctors. A 20-minute conversation can prevent a lifetime penalty.

Email info@icoachsolutions.pro Book a Free Call

This is general educational information, not individualized insurance, tax, or legal advice.