Explore your Medicare plan options
Not sure if you're eligible for Medicare?
Let's find out.
For most people, the first time you can enroll in Medicare is around your 65th birthday. Around your 65th birthday (or your 25th disability check), you'll have a 7-month window of time when you can sign up for Medicare. It's called your Initial Enrollment Period – or IEP for short. Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
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When is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
Choose one of the options below if it applies to you:
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is a set time each year for changing your Medicare coverage choices if you choose to. AEP runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. New coverage choices go into effect on Jan. 1.
If you are not 65 years old, you may also enroll in Medicare with a qualifying disability (after you've received disability benefits for 24 months), or a qualifying medical condtion such as Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Is everyone automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65?
If you currently receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You should receive your Medicare card in the mail before your 65th birthday. You can still make Medicare coverage decisions during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). If you are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, you will have to sign up for Medicare yourself.
Note: Medicare may not notify you about your eligibility, so be sure to get your IEP dates and put them on your calendar. If you wait too long to sign up and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you could face late enrollment penalties.
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few simple questions and get a personalized list of options based on the information you provide regarding your health coverage needs.
Are you also eligible for Medicaid?
In most areas, people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare can enroll in Dual Special Needs plans (D-SNPs). These are Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that combine Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits with state Medicaid coverage. These plans typically offer many extra benefits and features beyond Original Medicare and include help to coordinate care and benefits.
Note: Not all D-SNPs are available in all areas. But there may be other Medicare Advantage plans that may be a good fit for you. Your Medicare coverage choices need to fit your health needs, lifestyle and budget.
The UnitedHealthcare Right Plan Promise™
Be confident in your choice of Medicare plan
It’s our commitment to helping you find the right plan for you. Choosing a Medicare plan doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Our easy-to-use online shopping experience and Medicare Plan Experts make it simple for you to find the right UnitedHealthcare plan.1
Get the help you need finding the right plan
Compare plan types
See your Medicare options and decide which plan will be a good fit for your health care and budget needs.
Need more information?
It's important to know what to do when you're elgible for Medicare.
Estimate your costs
When you're exploring plan options, it's important to think about your budget needs.
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Go to the member site to see more personalized benefits.
Find a plan
Meet with us
Make an appointment with a licensed insurance agent/producer in your area.
1 The Right Plan Promise is our commitment to provide you with tools and agent/producer support to help you find a plan in UnitedHealthcare's Medicare plan portfolio that meets your needs. It is not a guarantee that UnitedHealthcare offers a plan that meets the needs of every consumer. Plan recommendations are based on the information that you provide regarding your health coverage needs. Requests to disenroll or change plans remain subject to applicable Medicare regulations and Federal and state laws/regulations.