Turning 65? A Plain-Language Guide to Getting Started with Medicare

Turning 65 comes with a stack of Medicare mail, unfamiliar terms, and a deadline you don't want to miss. Here's a plain-language starting point before you make any decisions.

Your Initial Enrollment Period

You have a 7-month window to sign up: it starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and continues 3 months after. Enrolling in the first 3 months generally means coverage starts the month you turn 65; enrolling later in the window can delay your start date.

The parts, in plain terms

• Part A — hospital insurance. Most people get this premium-free if they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
• Part B — medical insurance, covering doctor visits and outpatient care. This one has a monthly premium.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage) — an alternative way to get your Part A and B benefits, often bundled with extra benefits, through a private plan.
• Part D — prescription drug coverage, either stand-alone or bundled into a Medicare Advantage plan.

Still working at 65?

If you or your spouse have active employer coverage through a large employer, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty. This isn't automatic for every situation — group plan size and how your employer coverage coordinates with Medicare both matter, so it's worth confirming your specific case rather than assuming.

Do you need a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy?

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn't cover everything, and it doesn't have an annual out-of-pocket maximum on its own. Most people fill that gap one of two ways: a Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare paired with a Medigap (Supplement) policy and a stand-alone Part D plan. Each path works differently, and the right one depends on your doctors, your budget, and how you like to access care.

A simple first step

Before comparing plans, make a list of your current doctors, medications, and pharmacy. That list becomes the backbone of every comparison you'll make, and having it ready saves time whenever you do sit down to review options.