Does Medicare Start On My Birthday? 
Medicare starts when you apply for it . For most individuals , this is the first day of the month you turn age 65 . If you apply late , you may get a delayed effective date for your Medicare coverage . Medicare Part A -LRB- your hospital insurance -RRB- is premium-free for most individuals -LRB- you must have worked 40 quarters/10 years and paid FICA taxes over that timeframe -RRB- . Medicare Part B -LRB- your physician insurance -RRB- requires a monthly premium -LRB- $ 104.90 in 2014 for most individuals - for those with higher incomes , you may be subject to the high-income penalty -RRB- . 