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For us to best serve you, are you an employee of the City of Dallas?
When Do I Enroll in Medicare?
It’s important to understand when you can enroll in Medicare, so you’ll have the coverage you need as soon as you are eligible.
Be sure you start before you turn 65
If you’re reviewing this section and have not requested your free Medicare Timeline, please do so now. As you reach certain milestones on the road to age 65 and Medicare, you’ll get personalized emails with specific advice that can help make your path to enrollment clear and easy.
You can enroll for the first time in Medicare Part A and/or B only at certain times without the risk of late enrollment penalties. The first opportunity is your Initial Enrollment Period.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
This is a 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and runs for 3 months after the month you turned 65. The table below can help make finding your IEP easy.
| 65th Birthday Month |
Your Initial Enrollment Period Begins |
Your Initial Enrollment Period Ends |
|---|---|---|
| January | October 1 | April 30 |
| February | November 1 | May 31 |
| March | December 1 | June 30 |
| April | January 1 | July 31 |
| May | February 1 | August 31 |
| June | March 1 | September 30 |
| July | April 1 | October 31 |
| August | May 1 | November 30 |
| September | June 1 | December 31 |
| October | July 1 | January 31 |
| November | August 1 | February 28 (29 in a leap year) |
| December | September 1 | March 31 |
When to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan
If you are new to Medicare, then your IEP for these options is exactly the same as your IEP for Medicare Part A and/or B.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, offers a range of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. You can enroll in these plans once you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B.
For information, call us at 1-800-000-0000 (TTY 711).
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you do not enroll during your IEP, special circumstances may allow you to sign up for Part A and/or B during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
When to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan*
You may enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan at any time after you enroll in Medicare Part B. You are guaranteed acceptance as long as you also have Part A if you enroll during the six-month Open Enrollment Period following your Part B enrollment. After that, your application will have to go through underwriting and you may be denied coverage.
Unsure about when you should enroll in a plan? Call Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas at 1-800-000-0000 (TTY 711). A Medicare advisor can guide you through every step of the process.
How to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B
You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B, if:
- You are turning 65 and are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits
- You are under 65 and have received disability benefits for at least 24 months
- You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and are receiving disability benefits
If you do not fit one of the examples above, you must sign up for Medicare yourself. You have three options to enroll:
- You can enroll online
even if you’re not ready to retire. The Social Security Administration publishes a helpful brochure about online enrollment. - You can enroll by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time.
- You can also enroll in person at any Social Security office. Call the same number above to schedule an appointment.
For more details on when to enroll, check out this Fact Sheet from Medicare.
IMPORTANT: If you are eligible for a Retiree Group Medicare plan, some of this information may not apply to you. Please ask your employer or benefit administrator about your Medicare options, eligibility and enrollment information.
Get Your Medicare Timeline
Answer a few simple questions and we’ll provide you with a personalized timeline. You’ll also receive reminders with important information and actions you can take to stay on track as you near your Medicare eligibility.
Create My Timeline →Questions? Let us help.
As our valued member, you have access to exclusive resources and assistance. We’re here to help you make a smooth transition to Medicare. Call us to learn more.
1-800-000-0000 (TTY 711)We’re open between 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., local time, 7 days a week. If you’re calling from April 1 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on the weekends and holidays.
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