ArcaMax

Toni,

My sister suggested that I send you an email because I’m confused on what to do with enrolling in Medicare since I turn 65 on Jan. 5, 2026. Please help me, Toni, because I’m overwhelmed by the marketing material received for Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period. What do I do?

I’m not sure when is the right time to enroll and what happens if I don’t enroll in a Medicare plan during fall’s enrollment. Looking forward to your answer. Thanks, Toni. —Scott from San Antonio

Scott,

The answer to your question is that you do NOTHING!!! NADA!!! during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP) because you are not 65 and enrolled in Medicare yet. Nothing will happen to you if you do not enroll during this fall’s OEP for 2026.

Scott, next year’s fall Open Enrollment Period (OEP) — which is every year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 — is when you can make a change to your Part D plan and change or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Since you are turning 65 in January, you will be in your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, which is a 7-month period that starts 3 months prior to January and runs through the month of January and 3 months after. October is 3 months prior to January and is a good time to begin enrolling in Medicare. At this time you can explore which Medicare option best fits your specific medical and prescription drug needs. Wait past the final 3-month period and Part B and D penalties can begin. (Chapter 1 of Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition explains enrolling in Medicare in detail. Email your enrollment questions to info@tonisays.com.)

Below is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) 7-month timeline schedule explained:

—Enroll anytime 3 months before turning 65 and Medicare begins the first day of the month you turn 65. Since Scott will turn 65 on Jan. 5, 2026, he can enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B in October, November or December (3 months prior) for a Jan. 1 effective date.

—Enroll the month you turn 65 and Medicare will begin the first of the next month. If Scott enrolls in January, his Medicare will begin Feb. 1.

—Enroll 1 month after you turn 65 and your Medicare will begin the first of the next month. If Scott enrolls in February, his Medicare begins March 1.

—Enroll 2 months after you turn 65 and your Medicare will begin the first of the next month. If Scott enrolls in March, his Medicare will begin April 1.

—Enroll 3 months after you turn 65 and your Medicare will begin the first of the next month. If Scott enrolls in April, his Medicare will begin May 1.

Scott, I would discuss with your medical provider what type of Medicare plan — whether it is Original/Traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan HMO/PPO with prescription drug plan — is the right plan for your health situation with the prescriptions you are taking.

**Reader Alert: During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period you do not have to make a change if you are pleased with your current plan, such as a Medicare Advantage plan or stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription drug plan. It is important to always check during every OEP that your current Medicare Part D plan will cover all of your prescriptions, and that your doctors or medical facilities will be in the Medicare Advantage plan’s network for the next year.**

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Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare, Social Security and long-term care issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. Sign up for the Toni Says newsletter at www.tonisays.com to keep up to date on Medicare changes.

©2025 Toni King. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Copyright 2025 Toni King, Distributed by Counterpoint Media