Turning 65? Your Medicare Sign-Up Window Is Seven Months Long
Kalamazoo – October 09, 2026 -- Anyone turning 65 has a seven-month window to sign up for Medicare, and missing it without qualifying coverage can mean delayed benefits or higher premiums, according to a HelloNation article featuring Joe Garcia of SMG - SafeHarbor Management Group in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Enrollment is not always automatic at 65, the article explains. Planning ahead helps Michigan retirees get benefits on time and avoid unnecessary long-term costs.
The Initial Enrollment Period runs three months before and after your birthday month
The window begins three months before the month of a person's 65th birthday, includes that month, and continues for three months afterward. During this time, eligible people can enroll in Part A and Part B, plus Part D prescription drug coverage if needed.