Interactive Tool
My Medicare Timeline
Enter your date of birth to get a personalized Medicare timeline — find out when your coverage starts, what enrollment windows apply, and what to do if you have employer coverage or special circumstances.
When does MY Medicare start?
Enter your date of birth and county to get your personalized Medicare timeline.
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.
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
Will you still be working at 65?
Do you expect to have health insurance through your own active employment or your spouse's active employment when you turn 65? Retiree coverage and COBRA don't count here — only coverage from an employer where someone is actively working.
Step 4
When did dialysis start?
What month and year did you begin regular dialysis (or have a kidney transplant)?
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.)
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.
You Can Delay Medicare
Because you'll have health coverage through active employment at 65, you have the right to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty. You don't need to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period.
No late enrollment penalty while covered through active employment
As long as you or your spouse is actively employed and the coverage comes from that employer, your IEP deadline doesn't apply.
You get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends
When employment ends — whether you retire, get laid off, or your spouse leaves their job — you have 8 months to enroll in Medicare without a penalty. Don't miss this window.
COBRA does not extend your Special Enrollment Period
Your 8-month window starts when active employment ends — not when COBRA ends. Enroll in Medicare before or when COBRA starts, not after it runs out.
Consider enrolling in Part A at 65 anyway
Part A (hospital coverage) has no premium for most people. Enrolling at 65 costs nothing and adds a safety net — it just can't be used as primary coverage while you have employer insurance.
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.
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.
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 HelpYou'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.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
All-in-one plans with extra benefits — dental, vision, hearing
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 CoverageYou Can Delay Medicare
Because you have health coverage through active employment, you have the right to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty — for now.
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 TransitionLate 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.
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.
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🩺 Part B Enrollment Rules
Learn about enrollment windows, the late enrollment penalty, and when you can delay Part B safely.
Learn more →
🧀 Why Wisconsin Is Different
Wisconsin has its own Medigap rules and state programs that affect your Medicare decisions.
Learn more →
🤝 Talk to an Agent
Not sure what your timeline means for your situation? We can walk you through it — free, no pressure.
Contact us →