There is a 7-month period, called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), when you can enroll in Medicare. This begins 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday, includes your birth month, and continues for 3 months following the month of your 65th birthday. Coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65 years old. If you were born on the first day of the month, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month before your birth month.

There may be some special circumstances, including disability which allows 24 months for sign up. Your Medicare representative can help with these explanations.