If you’re turning 65 in Minnesota, Medicare is about to become an important part of your health coverage decisions.

You may be wondering when you should enroll, whether Medicare enrollment happens automatically, whether you need Medicare if you’re still working, and what coverage you should choose after enrolling.

The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out at once.

At YourMedicareMN, we help Minnesotans understand Medicare before making coverage decisions.

Learn First. Decide With Confidence.

Turning 65? Your Guide to Medicare in Minnesota

When Should You Enroll in Medicare When Turning 65?

For most people who become eligible for Medicare at age 65, the first opportunity to enroll is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months:

3 months before the month you turn 65
The month you turn 65
3 months after the month you turn 65

For example, if your 65th birthday is September 15, your Initial Enrollment Period generally runs from June 1 through December 31.

If your birthday falls on the first day of a month, Medicare uses different timing rules and generally treats you as reaching age 65 during the previous month.

When Does Medicare Coverage Start?

If you enroll in Medicare Part B during the three months before the month you turn 65, your coverage generally begins the first day of your birthday month.

If you enroll during your birthday month or during one of the following three months, your Part B coverage generally begins the first day of the month after you enroll.

Waiting too long to enroll can cause a gap in health coverage and, depending on your circumstances, could result in a Medicare late-enrollment penalty.

Will You Automatically Be Enrolled in Medicare at 65?

It depends.

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65, you generally will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

You should receive your Medicare card before your coverage begins.

If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you generally need to enroll in Medicare yourself through Social Security.

Don’t assume that simply turning 65 means a Medicare card will automatically arrive.

What Are Medicare Part A and Part B?

Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part A — Hospital Insurance

Part A helps cover:

Inpatient hospital care
Skilled nursing facility care when Medicare requirements are met
Hospice care
Certain home health care services

Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working.

Medicare Part B — Medical Insurance

Part B helps cover medically necessary and preventive services such as:

Doctor visits
Outpatient medical care
Preventive services
Diagnostic tests
Certain durable medical equipment
Other covered medical services

Most Medicare beneficiaries pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Turning 65 and Still Working in Minnesota?

Turning 65 does not necessarily mean you should immediately enroll in Medicare Part B.

If you or your spouse are still actively working and you have group health insurance based on that current employment, you may be able to delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty.

However, the rules depend on your circumstances.

Before delaying Medicare, determine:

Whether your coverage is based on your or your spouse’s current employment
Whether Medicare or your employer health plan will pay first
Whether your employer requires Medicare enrollment at 65
Whether your prescription drug coverage is considered creditable coverage
What happens to your employer coverage when you enroll in Medicare

COBRA and retiree health insurance do not necessarily provide the same Medicare enrollment protections as insurance based on current employment.

If you qualify to delay Part B because of current-employment group coverage, you generally have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period after the employment ends or the group health coverage based on that employment ends, whichever occurs first.

Related: [Turning 65 and Still Working? What You Need to Know About Medicare]

Have an HSA? Medicare Requires Some Extra Planning

If you contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA), pay particular attention to the timing of your Medicare enrollment.

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you are no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA.

There is another important issue for people who enroll in Medicare after age 65.

Premium-free Medicare Part A can be retroactive for as much as six months when you enroll after age 65, but it cannot begin earlier than the month you first became eligible for Medicare.

That retroactive coverage can affect your eligibility to make HSA contributions.

If you plan to continue working and contributing to an HSA after age 65, coordinate your HSA contributions with your Medicare enrollment date.

What Are Your Medicare Coverage Choices at 65?

Enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B is only part of the decision.

You also need to decide how you want to receive your Medicare coverage.

There are two primary approaches.

Option 1: Original Medicare

Original Medicare consists of:

Medicare Part A
Medicare Part B

With Original Medicare, you can generally receive covered care from any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.

However, Original Medicare doesn’t pay all of your medical expenses.

For this reason, many Minnesota Medicare beneficiaries who choose Original Medicare also consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy.

Medicare Supplement Insurance in Minnesota

Medicare Supplement insurance helps pay certain out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t pay.

Minnesota has its own standardized Medicare Supplement structure, so Minnesota Medicare Supplement policies don’t use exactly the same standardized plan structure found in most other states.

Timing is also important.

Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally lasts six months beginning when you are both:

Age 65 or older, and
Enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Minnesota also provides state-specific Medicare Supplement rights and protections.

Related: [Learn More About Medicare Supplement Insurance in Minnesota]

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

Original Medicare generally doesn’t include coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.

If you choose Original Medicare, you may want to enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Even if you don’t currently take prescription medications, going without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage for too long can result in a Part D late-enrollment penalty if you enroll later.

Option 2: Medicare Advantage

A Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C, is another way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

You generally must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan, and you must continue paying your Medicare Part B premium.

Depending on the specific plan, Medicare Advantage plans may include:

Hospital and medical coverage
Prescription drug coverage
Provider networks
Copayments and coinsurance
An annual maximum out-of-pocket limit for covered Part A and Part B services
Additional benefits not provided by Original Medicare

Plan availability, premiums, benefits, provider networks, prescription drug formularies and cost sharing can vary by plan and by where you live in Minnesota.

Related: [Learn More About Medicare Advantage Plans in Minnesota]

Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage: Which Is Better?

Neither approach is automatically better for everyone.

The right choice depends on your health care needs, finances, doctors, medications, travel habits and personal preferences.

Before choosing Medicare coverage, consider questions such as:

Which doctors and hospitals do you want to continue using?
What prescription medications do you take?
Do you travel frequently?
Do you spend part of the year outside Minnesota?
Are you comfortable receiving care through a provider network?
How important is predictable medical spending?
Do you have employer or retiree coverage?
Do you contribute to an HSA?
Would you prefer Original Medicare with supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan?

Looking at these questions first can make comparing individual plans much easier.

How YourMedicareMN Can Help When You’re Turning 65

YourMedicareMN is an independent Minnesota insurance agency specializing in Medicare.

We can help you:

Understand Medicare Parts A, B, C and D
Understand when you may need to enroll
Review Medicare and employer-coverage considerations
Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Understand Medicare Supplement coverage in Minnesota
Review prescription drug coverage
Compare plans offered by the insurance companies we represent
Check premiums, deductibles, copayments and other costs
Review provider networks and prescription drug formularies
Enroll in a Medicare plan you choose

The goal is not to start by selling you a plan.

The goal is to help you understand Medicare so you can make an informed decision.

Learn First. Decide With Confidence.

Does It Cost More to Use a Medicare Agent?

There is no additional charge to you for working with YourMedicareMN to understand your Medicare options or enroll in a Medicare plan we offer.

Insurance agents may receive compensation from insurance companies when consumers enroll in certain plans.

Your plan premium and benefits do not increase because you enroll through a licensed insurance agent.

Turning 65 Soon? Start Before Your Birthday

You don’t need to wait until you turn 65 to begin preparing for Medicare.

Starting a few months before your 65th birthday gives you time to:

Determine whether you need to enroll in Medicare
Identify your enrollment deadline
Understand whether Medicare enrollment will be automatic
Coordinate Medicare with employer health coverage
Review your prescription medications
Check your doctors and hospitals
Compare Medicare coverage approaches
Ask questions before making a decision

If you’re turning 65 and preparing for Medicare in Minnesota, YourMedicareMN can help you understand the process.

Schedule a no-obligation Medicare consultation.

[Schedule a Medicare Consultation]

Frequently Asked Questions About Turning 65 and Medicare

When should I apply for Medicare if I’m turning 65?

For most people, the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month they turn 65 and continues through the three months after their birthday month.

Starting the process during the three months before your birthday month generally gives you the best opportunity to have coverage in place when you turn 65.

Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?

Not everyone does. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65, you generally will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

If you aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you generally need to enroll yourself.

Do I have to enroll in Medicare at 65 if I’m still working?

Not necessarily.

If you or your spouse are actively working and you have qualifying group health coverage based on that current employment, you may be able to delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty.

The rules depend on the type of coverage and employer, so determine how your existing coverage coordinates with Medicare before making the decision.

Can I keep contributing to an HSA after enrolling in Medicare?

No. Once you’re enrolled in Medicare, you’re no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA.

People working beyond age 65 should also be aware that Medicare Part A can sometimes begin retroactively when they later enroll.

Do I need Medicare Part D if I don’t take prescription drugs?

You aren’t required to enroll in Part D simply because you turn 65. However, if you don’t have Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage and later enroll, you may owe a Part D late-enrollment penalty.

Do I need both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in Medicare Advantage?

Generally, yes. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan and continue paying your Part B premium while enrolled.

Can I get Medicare Supplement insurance when I turn 65?

If you’re age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, you generally have a six-month federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Minnesota also has state-specific Medicare Supplement rules and protections that should be considered when choosing coverage.

Where can I get official Medicare information?

Medicare.gov is the federal government’s official Medicare website. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information about Medicare coverage and enrollment.

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Visit Contact Us to schedule a personalized Medicare review and get answers tailored to your situation.

For official Medicare information, visit the Medicare.gov website.