Medicare isn’t mandatory when you turn 65. However, most people do start Medicare Part A at 65. The reason is that most people don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A, so there’s no reason to wait to sign up. If you have employer coverage, your employer may want you to enroll in Medicare Part A. If you’re uncertain, ask your human resources department how to proceed.
If you have employer coverage or coverage through a spouse, you may want to wait to enroll in Part B until you no longer have coverage. This option varies by employer size.
You pay a premium for Medicare Part B. Just be sure to enroll in Part B as soon as your coverage ends. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible and you have a gap in coverage, you could pay a late enrollment penalty.
Medicare offers special enrollment periods if you lose other coverage. It also offers annual enrollment periods if you didn’t enroll earlier.