Turning-65 Medicare Enrollment Checklist
A printable, agent-ready worksheet. Complete what you can, then book a free planning call — we'll finish it with you.
Your Texas Medicare Agent
Joseph Stevens — Principal Agent
TXInsurance.com · Licensed independent Texas Medicare agent · NPN 7885847
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Book a Medicare appointment with a licensed Texas agent — we'll walk this checklist with you and finish it together. No cost, no obligation.
Your info
Full name
Date of birth
Turning 65 on (date)
Zip code
Phone
Currently employed? (Y/N)
Employer size (< 20 or 20+)
Have an HSA? (Y/N)
Spouse's employer coverage? (Y/N)
6 months before your 65th birthday
- Create your my Social Security account at ssa.gov
- Confirm your work-credit history (need 40 quarters / 10 years for premium-free Part A)
- Write down every doctor and hospital you use — with addresses
- List every prescription: drug name, dosage, and pharmacy
- If still working: ask HR whether the employer has 20+ employees and if the plan is creditable coverage
- If you have an HSA: plan to stop contributions 6 months before Medicare effective date
3 months before your 65th birthday
- Your Initial Enrollment Period officially opens
- Book a free planning call with a licensed Texas Medicare agent
- Decide: enroll in Part B now, or delay because of active employer coverage
- Enroll in Part A (and Part B if applicable) at ssa.gov or your local SSA office
- Request creditable-coverage notices from any current insurer for your records
2 months before your 65th birthday
- Compare Medicare Supplement (Medigap G, N, or High-Deductible G) vs Medicare Advantage
- Confirm your doctors are in-network on any Medicare Advantage plan you're considering
- Run every prescription through the drug formulary (Part D or Medicare Advantage)
- If choosing Medigap: pick your stand-alone Part D drug plan
- Lock in your plan choice — submit the application
1 month before your 65th birthday
- Confirm your red-white-blue Medicare card has arrived (or download from Medicare.gov)
- Verify your Part B effective date matches your birthday month
- Set up automatic Part B premium payments (Medicare Easy Pay or SSA deduction)
- Receive Medigap or Medicare Advantage ID cards
- If dropping employer coverage: notify HR of your last day on the group plan
Your birthday month
- Coverage is active on the 1st of your birthday month (if you enrolled early in IEP)
- Bring your Medicare card AND your Medigap/Advantage ID to every appointment
- Update your pharmacy with new Part D or Advantage plan info
- Save your welcome packet — you'll need it during Annual Election Period each October
First 6 months after Part B starts
- Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window is OPEN — guaranteed acceptance on any Medigap plan
- Do NOT let this window close without securing your Medigap if you want one — future underwriting can deny you
- Log into MyMedicare.gov to review claims and coverage
- Set an annual calendar reminder for the Oct 15 – Dec 7 Annual Election Period
Doctors, hospitals & prescriptions worksheet
Doctors & hospitals
Prescriptions (drug · dosage · pharmacy)
Your Texas Medicare Agent
Joseph Stevens — Principal Agent
TXInsurance.com · Licensed independent Texas Medicare agent · NPN 7885847
Official federal references
Frequently asked questions
Your Texas Medicare Agent
Joseph Stevens — Principal Agent
TXInsurance.com · Licensed independent Texas Medicare agent · NPN 7885847
*Some ACA plans in some areas have a small one-time enrollment fee due to little or no broker compensation. Agency enrollment fees never apply to Medicare products.