When you turn 65, you’ll get a 7-month window of time to sign up for Medicare. It’s called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and extends for 3 months after.

If you are 65 or older and a citizen of the United States, you likely qualify for Medicare, the federal health insurance program.

You may also qualify if you have certain chronic conditions or disabilities. Qualifying conditions include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and end stage renal disease (ESRD). 

Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare. It’s sold through Medicare-approved private companies.

Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps pay for medications that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage.

You can get the key information you need about Medicare enrollment timing with this interactive flowchart.