Starting the first day of the month you turn 65, and if you’re already getting Social Security benefits, you will  automatically get enrolled into both Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) ?

If you don't sign up for Medicare Part B when you're first eligible you might have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare coverage.

• Just like with Medicare Part B, you have to enroll in Medicare Part D when you first become eligible to avoid paying a late enrollment penalty.
• You can avoid this penalty IF you have show proof having creditable drug coverage if you plan to join Medicare Part D at a later point.

Creditable prescription drug coverage is coverage that pays, at least as much as Part D is expected to pay. Your current employer's prescription plan can tell you every year you have if that plan is creditable, or not.

There are specific times when you can enroll in Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), or make changes to your current coverage options:

• When you first become eligible for Medicare.
• Yearly, between October 15th - December 7th.
• During a Special Enrollment Period (extenuating circumstances only)

If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can qualify for Medicare at any age by filling out an application.