Medicare and Medicaid Explained
A plain-English guide to both government programs. Cut through the acronyms and understand your coverage — with all the dollar amounts, dates, and eligibility details you actually need.
Medicare Enrollment Deadline Calculator
Enter your birth month and year to see your key Medicare enrollment dates, deadlines, and any potential late-enrollment penalties.
Medicare Guide
Age 65 eligibility: US citizens and permanent residents who have lived in the US for at least 5 years. If you're already receiving Social Security, you'll be auto-enrolled. Otherwise, you must actively enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period — a 7-month window that includes the 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month you turn 65, and the 3 months after.
Under-65 eligibility: You qualify after 24 months of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Two exceptions get immediate coverage: ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and ESRD (end-stage renal disease).
Late enrollment penalties: If you don't sign up when you're first eligible, you may pay permanently higher premiums. The Part B penalty is 10% for every 12-month period you could have enrolled but didn't — and it's permanent, added to your premium for as long as you have Part B. The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base premium per month you were without creditable coverage.
If you have employer coverage at 65: You can delay Part B enrollment without penalty if you (or your spouse) are still working and have employer coverage. When that employer coverage ends, you get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up penalty-free.