When you reach age 65, you can sign up for Medicare. In fact, if you-re collecting Social Security retirement benefits then, you don-t even have to sign up–enrollment is automatic. If you are not collecting Social Security benefits it-s up to you to enroll during the seven-month initial enrollment period: the month of your 65th birthday, the three months before, and the three months after.
If you miss this initial enrollment period, you may have to wait until the next general enrollment period, which is from January 1 through March 31 of each year. What-s more, if you enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital costs) or Part B (other medical costs) during the general enrollment period, your coverage starts on the following July 1. The cost of Part B may go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but did not take it, and that surcharge will last for the rest of your life.
