Turning 65 in 2027? The fall Medicare ads aren't for you yet

What October 15 – December 7 is for

It’s the yearly window for people already on Medicare to change how they get it. During it, they can:

• Join, drop or switch Medicare Advantage plans, or add or drop drug coverage
• Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or back
• Join, drop or switch a Medicare drug plan if they’re in Original Medicare

Changes start January 1. If you don’t have Medicare yet, it isn’t your window.

Source: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan

Your window: the 7 months around your 65th birthday

Your first sign-up window, the Initial Enrollment Period, starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after it. To have Medicare from the 1st of your birthday month, sign up before that month starts.

“Sign up by” is the last day to sign up for coverage that starts on the 1st of your birthday month. You can still sign up later in your window, and coverage then starts the month after you do.

Born on the 1st of the month? Medicare counts you as turning 65 the month before, so use the row above yours. Born January 1, 1962? Your window is Sep 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027.

Turning 65 in November or December 2026? Your window is already open: Aug 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 for November birthdays and Sep 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027 for December.

Source: Medicare.gov: When can I sign up? · Medicare.gov: When does Medicare coverage start?

Two cases where the table works differently

• Already getting Social Security? You’re signed up for Parts A and B automatically, and your Medicare card arrives about 3 months before your birthday.
• Still working? If you have health coverage from your own or your spouse’s current job, at an employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to wait to sign up for Part B without a penalty. COBRA and retiree coverage don’t count.

Source: Medicare.gov: When does Medicare coverage start? · Medicare.gov: Your Medicare card · Medicare.gov: Working past 65

You pick your plans in your first window too

You don’t have to wait for the fall to choose a Medicare Advantage plan or a drug plan. You can join one during your first window, and if you ask before your Part A and Part B start, the plan starts the same day they do. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan then, you can still change to another one, or go back to Original Medicare, within your first 3 months of having Part A and Part B.

Source: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan

Medigap, the supplement that goes with Original Medicare, has its own window as well: 6 months starting the first month you’re 65 or older and have Part B. After that, your options may be limited and the policy may cost more.

Source: Medicare.gov: When can I buy Medigap?

When the fall window becomes yours

Once you have Medicare, every October 15 to December 7 is your chance to compare plans for the next year, because plans change their premiums, drug lists and networks each year. If your Medicare starts in November or December, the plan you choose renews January 1 on the next year’s terms, so compare those as well.

Source: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan

About the calls

Medicare will never call you to sell you anything. Don’t join a plan over the phone unless you made the call and asked for help. If you’re unsure about a call, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Source: Medicare.gov: Reporting fraud and abuse