When Does Your Medicare Start?

Enter your date of birth to get a personalized Medicare timeline — free, no account required.

When does MY Medicare start?

Enter your date of birth and county to get your personalized Medicare timeline.

Date of Birth

Please enter your complete date of birth.

Step 2

Disability Benefits

Do you currently receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement disability benefits?

Step 3

When did benefits start?

What month and year did your SSDI (or Railroad Retirement disability) payments begin? This is the date on your first disability payment, not when you applied.

Month

Year

Not sure? Check your Social Security award letter or bank statement.

Please enter the month and year your benefits started.

Step 3

Do you have a qualifying condition?

Some conditions allow Medicare before age 65. Do any of the following apply to you?

Step 4

When did dialysis start?

What month and year did you begin regular dialysis (or have a kidney transplant)?

Month

Year

Please enter the month and year dialysis began.

Step 2

Are you enrolled in Medicare?

Are you currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B?

Step 3

Do you have employer coverage?

Do you have health insurance through your own active employment or your spouse's active employment? (Retiree coverage or COBRA does not count here.)

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Your Medicare Timeline

💡 Good to know

If you enroll in Part B during the first 3 months of your IEP, your coverage starts the month you turn 65. Enrolling later in the IEP delays your start date. Enroll early to avoid gaps.

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Your Medicare Timeline

Because you receive Social Security Disability benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare after 24 months of receiving those benefits.

⚠️ Important

About 3 months before your Medicare start date, you'll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. You'll be enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A & B) automatically. You'll still need to choose a Part D drug plan and decide whether to add a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement.

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Your Medicare Timeline

Because you have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), you qualify for a special rule: the 24-month SSDI waiting period is waived.

Medicare begins the same month your SSDI benefits start

No waiting period — Medicare Part A and Part B begin immediately when you start receiving SSDI disability benefits.

💡 Next steps

If you haven't applied for SSDI yet, that's the first step — Medicare follows automatically. Once approved, you'll receive your Medicare card and will want to choose a drug plan and decide on Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare + Supplement.

We can help you navigate this

An ALS diagnosis brings a lot of decisions. Let us walk you through your coverage options at no cost.

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Your Medicare Timeline

Because you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can qualify for Medicare before age 65.

⚠️ You must apply

Unlike SSDI-based Medicare, ESRD Medicare enrollment is not automatic. You need to contact Social Security to apply. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

Let us help with your ESRD coverage options

There are specific rules around which Medicare Advantage plans cover ESRD. We can help you compare your Wisconsin options at no cost.

Get Help

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You're enrolled in Medicare

Great — you've already taken the first step. Now the question is making sure you have the right type of coverage for your situation.

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Medicare Advantage (Part C)

All-in-one plans with extra benefits — dental, vision, hearing

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Part D – Drug Coverage

Add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare

Not sure if your current plan is the best fit?

Every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7), you can switch plans. We can review your current coverage at no cost.

Review My Coverage

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You Can Delay Medicare

Because you have health coverage through active employment, you have the right to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty — for now.

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No late enrollment penalty while covered by employer insurance

As long as you or your spouse is actively employed and the coverage comes from that employer, you're protected.

⚠️

You get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

When your employer coverage ends — whether you retire, get laid off, or your spouse leaves their job — you have 8 months to enroll in Medicare without penalty. Miss this window and penalties apply.

❌

COBRA and retiree coverage do NOT extend your SEP

Your 8-month window starts when active employment ends — not when COBRA ends. Don't rely on COBRA to protect you from the Medicare penalty.

Planning for retirement?

We can help you plan the transition from employer coverage to Medicare so there are no gaps and no penalties.

Plan My Transition

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Late Enrollment — Act Soon

You're past your Initial Enrollment Period and don't have qualifying employer coverage. Here's what that means and what to do next.

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Part B late enrollment penalty

Your Part B premium increases by 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. This penalty is permanent and added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.

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General Enrollment Period (GEP)

You can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B during the General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year. Coverage starts July 1.

Don't wait — the penalty grows over time

There may be options to reduce or avoid the penalty depending on your situation. Talk to us — we can help you figure out the fastest path to coverage.

Get Help Now

The ABCDs of Medicare

Medicare has four main parts. Here's what each one covers.

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Part A

Hospital insurance — covers inpatient stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health care.

Learn more →

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Part B

Medical insurance — covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.

Learn more →

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Part C

Medicare Advantage — private plans that bundle Parts A & B, usually include drug coverage and extra benefits.

Learn more →

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Part D

Prescription drug coverage — added to Original Medicare or bundled with Medicare Advantage plans.

Learn more →

Local, Independent Medicare Help

We're an independent, Wisconsin-based Medicare resource. We're not tied to any single insurance company, so we can compare plans across carriers to find the best fit for you — at no cost.

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