Medicare Order of Operations
Follow the decisions in sequence so a plan choice does not happen before eligibility, timing, and current coverage are resolved.
1. Establish the enrollment path
Find whether Social Security benefits will trigger automatic enrollment or whether you must apply. Record the month you turn 65, current employer coverage, any disability or ESRD eligibility and the expected effective date. Medicare’s path tool and SSA sign-up page handle different parts of the process.
Official source: Medicare: Get started ↗ · SSA: Sign up for Medicare ↗
2. Resolve job coverage before electing Part B
Ask the benefits administrator whether your coverage comes from current employment, who pays first, when it ends, and whether prescriptions are creditable. COBRA and retiree coverage do not give the same Part B timing protection as eligible active-employment group coverage.
Official source: Medicare: Working past 65 ↗ · Medicare: COBRA coverage ↗ · Medicare: Who pays first ↗
3. Choose the structure and drugs
Decide between Original Medicare with any Medigap and separate Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan with its provider and drug rules. Identify a possible Medigap purchase window before relying on the ability to switch later.
Official source: Medicare: Original versus Advantage ↗ · Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗
4. Verify the effective dates
Match A/B dates, new plan dates and termination of old insurance. Use Medicare Plan Compare for local offerings and keep enrollment confirmations. A late or overlapping effective date can affect claims and prescription access.
Official source: Medicare: When coverage starts ↗ · Medicare: Compare plans ↗