---
title: "Turning 65: Your Medicare Checklist | ESI"
description: "A month-by-month Medicare checklist for the year you turn 65: when your window opens, what to decide, what it costs in 2026, how to avoid penalties, and…"
url: https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/turning-65-medicare-checklist
dateModified: 2026-10-06
---

# Turning 65: Your Medicare Checklist

**Your Medicare window opens three months before your birthday month.** Use the months before it to decide three things: whether to take Part B now or delay it because of employer coverage, whether you want Medigap plus Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan, and whether your doctors and prescriptions are covered by the plan you are leaning toward. Here is the timeline.

## Six months before your birthday

- Confirm your work history gives you premium-free Part A (40 quarters) at [my Social Security](https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/).
- If you are working, ask HR whether your employer has 20 or more employees. That decides whether you can delay Part B.
- List your doctors, hospitals and every prescription with dose. Plans are compared against this list.

## Three months before (your window opens)

- Enroll in Parts A and B through Social Security if you are not enrolled automatically.
- Ask for quotes on Medigap Plan G and Plan N and a Part D plan, and on the Medicare Advantage plans in your county. The [G vs N calculator](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/tools#plan-g-vs-n) shows the break-even.
- Check for IRMAA: if your 2024 income was above $109,000 single or $218,000 joint, your Part B premium will be higher than $202.90; if your income has dropped since (retirement), file form SSA-44.

## Your birthday month

- Coverage starts the first of this month if you enrolled in the three months before. Your Medigap open enrollment, six months with no health questions, starts now.
- Keep your drug coverage continuous: a gap of more than 63 days starts the Part D penalty clock.

## The three months after

- Last chance to enroll inside your Initial Enrollment Period; coverage starts the month after you sign up.
- Set up your Medicare.gov account and decide how premiums will be paid.

## What it costs in 2026

| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Part A premium | $0 for most people |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part B premium | $202.90 per month (higher with IRMAA) |
| Part B deductible | $283 per year, then 20% |
| Part D deductible | Up to $615 |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 |

Source: [CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles).

## Medicare 101: the complete guide

Every topic a person new to Medicare needs, each on its own page, written and reviewed by Christian Brindle.

- [Medicare 101: Parts A and B](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-101)
- [Who is eligible for Medicare](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-eligibility)
- [Enrollment periods (IEP, AEP, OEP, SEP)](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-enrollment-periods)
- [How to enroll, step by step](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/how-to-enroll-in-medicare)
- [Medicare vs Medicaid](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-vs-medicaid)
- [2026 costs and IRMAA](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-costs-2026)
- [Late-enrollment penalties](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-late-enrollment-penalties)
- [Part D in 2026: the $2,100 cap](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-part-d-2026-changes)
- [Medicare Advantage](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medicare-advantage)
- [Medigap](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/medigap)
- [Part D](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/part-d)
- [Medicare calculators](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/tools)

## Questions people ask about Turning 65: Your Medicare Checklist

**When should I start the Medicare process if I am turning 65?**

**Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65?**

**What is the first thing to decide when turning 65?**

**How much is Medicare when I turn 65 in 2026?**

**Can I keep my doctor when I go on Medicare?**

Last updated: October 6, 2026 · Reviewed by [Christian Brindle, CEO and Founder](https://eseniorinsurance-demo-v2.pages.dev/about-us#christian-brindle). Published by the Everything Senior Insurance Data Desk. Sources: [2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles) · [When does Medicare coverage start, Medicare.gov](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-does-medicare-coverage-start).