Turning 65? Start With This Medicare Checklist
By Laurence Paolino, RN
Approaching 65 can bring a lot of mail, calls, and new vocabulary. A simple checklist can help you take things one step at a time.
Know your Initial Enrollment Period
For most people, the Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. Signing up at the right time may help you avoid late enrollment penalties or gaps in coverage.
Questions to ask yourself
- Am I still working, and do I have employer coverage?
- Am I already receiving Social Security benefits?
- Which doctors and specialists do I want to keep seeing?
- What prescriptions do I take regularly?
- Do I travel often or spend part of the year in another state?
Gather general information
Make a list of your doctors, your regular medications, and any current coverage. You do not need to share sensitive details online — just have them handy for a conversation.
Understand the main choices
Most people choose between Original Medicare (Parts A and B), often paired with a Part D drug plan and possibly a Medicare Supplement, or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Each path works differently.
