Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window that begins exactly 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Missing this specific window can trigger permanent late penalties. Our checklist identifies your exact dates so you can't miss them.

It depends on the size of your employer. If your company has 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Part B without penalty. If it has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare typically becomes your primary insurance, and delaying could cost you. We outline how to verify your specific situation in our guide.

Late penalties for Medicare Part B and Part D are permanent—meaning you pay them every month for the rest of your life. The Part B penalty adds 10% to your premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. Enrolling correctly during your IEP avoids this entirely.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is provided by the government, giving you access to any doctor who accepts it nationwide, but it has no out-of-pocket maximum. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private alternatives that bundle coverage, often including prescription drugs and capping out-of-pocket costs, but with network restrictions.

Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or outpatient prescription drugs. You will need to select either a standalone Part D plan (for prescriptions) along with a Medigap plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles these benefits together to get comprehensive coverage.