When can patients enroll in Medicare?

Patients can enroll in Medicare during a specific timeframe surrounding their 65th birthday, which includes 3 months before the month they turn 65, the month of their birthday, and 3 months after their birthday. This Total Enrollment Period spans a full 7 months and provides flexibility for individuals to sign up for Medicare.

This option accurately reflects the rules established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), allowing individuals to ensure they have coverage when they first become eligible at age 65.

The other options do not accurately capture the enrollment window or the flexibility provided to patients to enroll in Medicare based on their birthday. For instance, the open enrollment period mentioned in one of the options is a defined time frame for existing beneficiaries of Medicare to make changes to their coverage, rather than the initial enrollment for new beneficiaries upon turning 65. The choice specifying only enrolling 1 month before the birthday does not fully encompass the complete enrollment period, which starts well ahead. Lastly, stating enrollment begins only after reaching the age of 65 overlooks the important pre-enrollment window that is available, which provides individuals the opportunity to prepare for their transition to Medicare.