If you’re approaching age 65, you’re probably wondering:
“Do I get Medicare automatically, or do I need to sign up?”
“Can I delay Medicare if I’m still working?”
“Will I be penalized if I wait too long?”
The answer is often different for everyone, as it depends on your personal situation – especially whether or not you’ve started collecting Social Security – and what kind of health coverage you currently have.
At Emerald Medicare, we help people navigate Medicare timing every day. Here’s a breakdown of when Medicare is automatic, when it’s not, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
✅ When Medicare Enrollment Is Automatic
You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B if:
- You’re turning 65 and are already receiving Social Security / Railroad Retirement Board benefits
- You’re under 65 and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for >24 months
📬 In this case, you will receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail about 3 months before your 65th birthday.
❌ When You Need to Sign Up Yourself
You must enroll manually if:
- You’re turning 65 and not yet collecting Social Security
- You plan to keep working past 65 and haven’t triggered automatic enrollment
💡 If you’re not automatically enrolled and don’t sign up on time, you could face potential lifetime penalties and/or coverage delays.
📅 When to Enroll: The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months
- Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes your birthday month
- Ends 3 months after your birthday month
🕒 Enroll during this window to avoid penalties and ensure coverage begins when you need it.
⏳ Can I Delay Medicare?
Yes, but only in specific situations—and you must have qualifying coverage to avoid penalties.
You can delay Part B (and Part D) without penalty if:
- You’re still actively working AND
- You’re covered under an employer group health plan (yours or your spouse’s) AND
- That employer has 20 or more employees
In this case, you can enroll later using a Special Enrollment Period without facing penalties.
⚠️ When Delaying Is a Mistake (and Leads to Penalties)
If you delay Medicare without qualifying coverage, you may face:
- Part B late enrollment penalty: 10% added to your monthly premium for each full 12-month period you delayed
- Part D late enrollment penalty: 1% of the national base premium per month delayed
💡 These penalties are lifetime and can add up quickly.
✅ What Emerald Medicare Recommends:
Don’t assume you’re enrolled—check whether you’re receiving Social Security
If you’re working, ask your employer about group size and Medicare coordination
Review your situation 3–6 months before turning 65
Reach out! We’ll make sure you don’t miss your window
Don’t Guess—Get It Right the First Time
Medicare enrollment timing doesn’t have to be a mystery. At Emerald Medicare, we’ll help you decide when to enroll, when to delay, and how to avoid penalties—at no cost to you.
Get in Touch with the Emerald Medicare team
📞 (888) 683-6372 or (845) 358-1220
📧 office@emeraldmedicare.com
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