When does the initial enrollment period for Medicare start?

The initial enrollment period for Medicare is a critical timeframe during which individuals can sign up for Medicare benefits. This period begins three months before a person turns age 65, continues through the month of their birthday, and ends three months after the month they turn 65. This allows for a total of seven months to enroll in Medicare, ensuring ample opportunity for individuals to apply for coverage around the time they become eligible.

Starting the enrollment period three months before turning 65 helps to facilitate a smoother transition into Medicare coverage, allowing individuals to make necessary preparations and avoid any lapses in health insurance coverage. The options that suggest starting after turning 65 or during other enrollment periods do not accurately reflect the designated time frame specified by Medicare's rules, which is focused on the eligibility milestone of turning 65.