When your coverage starts
Example for someone who turns 65 in June:
| You sign up in | Part A and B start |
|---|---|
| March, April or May (the 3 months before) | June 1 |
| June (your birthday month) | July 1 |
| July | August 1 |
| August | September 1 |
| September (the last month of the window) | October 1 |
After September, the next regular chance is the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), and a late penalty may apply.
A planning calendar
- About 6 months before. Find out whether your current coverage counts as coverage from current work, and when it ends. Retiree, COBRA and Marketplace plans don't let you delay Part B without risk.
- 3 months before your birthday month. Sign up with Social Security at ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213, unless you're already getting benefits and will be enrolled automatically.
- Before your start date. Choose a Part D plan and Medigap policy, or a Medicare Advantage plan, so it starts with Medicare.
- Within 6 months of your Part B start. Use your Medigap open enrollment: companies selling in Oregon can't deny you or charge more for health reasons then (OAR 836-052-0138).
Oregon timing traps
- PEBB retirees: PEBB retiree coverage ends the last day of the month before you're eligible for Medicare (OAR 101-050-0010). With a May 15 birthday, PEBB ends April 30, so sign up early. OEBB has a similar rule. See PEBB and Medicare.
- Marketplace plans: premium tax credits for a Marketplace plan generally end once you're eligible for Part A without a premium, so time your switch to your Medicare start date.
- OHP members: you still sign up for Medicare; OHP keeps helping with costs. See OHP and Medicare.
Plan choices differ by county, from many in the Portland area to none open to everyone in a few eastern Oregon counties; see your county. To plan your timing, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or read turning 65 in Oregon.
Related questions
How do I sign up for Medicare in Oregon?
Online, by phone or in person.
Do I need Part B if I'm still working?
Employer size and the 8-month window.
What happens if I miss Medicare enrollment?
Penalties and the next window.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
- Social Security — Sign up for Medicare
- OAR 101-050-0010 — PEBB retiree eligibility and termination
- OAR 836-052-0138 — Medicare supplement open enrollment (Oregon)
More questions in this guide
- Can I get Medicare before 65 if I'm on disability in Oregon?
- Do I need Medicare Part B if I'm still working at 65 in Oregon?
- How do I sign up for Medicare in Oregon?
- What happens if I miss Medicare enrollment in Oregon?
- What happens to my Medicare plan if I move to Oregon?
- What happens to my Medicare if I move out of Oregon?
Part of the guide: Medicare enrollment periods in Oregon · All questions
Frequently asked questions
My birthday is on the first of the month. Does that change anything?
Yes. Medicare treats you as turning 65 the month before, so your Initial Enrollment Period and coverage start one month earlier.
Should I sign up at 65 if I'm still working?
Not always. If you or your spouse have group coverage from current work at an employer with 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Part B without a penalty. Many people still take Part A, which most get without a premium, unless they contribute to an HSA.
When can I join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan?
During the same 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. Join before your Part A and B start date so plan coverage begins the same day.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
