If your 65th birthday is approaching, its time to talk about Medicare.

You know it kicks in when you turn 65, but how does it work?

Some people are automatically enrolled while others need to sign up through the Social Security Administration.

A senior citizen couple snuggle in bed.

Need a refresher on Medicare? Check out these seven frequently asked questions onhow Medicare works.

Youll also need to get coverage for prescription drugs and maybe a supplemental insurance policy.

It may seem confusing but once you know the steps, the enrollment process is pretty easy.

Heres how signing up for Medicare works.

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Do you oughta Sign Up for Medicare?

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Youll be automatically enrolled.

Did you know?

No further action is required on your part.

Well cover how to sign up for those later.

You have a seven-month window to sign up.

It begins three months before you turn 65, includes your birthday month and extends three months after that.

This timeframe is known as your initial enrollment period.

It usually takes about 10 minutes to fill out the online app.

However, both of these methods take much longer than applying online.

Failing to do so can result in heftylate enrollment penaltiesand headaches later.

As a note: The Social Security Administration handles Medicare enrollment.

After that, youll receive your benefits from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS.

Do I Have to Sign Up for Medicare Part B?

Nearly everyone gets Medicare Part A for free (no monthly premiums).

Failing to do so can jack up your Medicare premiums for the rest of your life.

If you decide to delay Part B because youre still working, you cansign up for the coveragelater.

I Applied For Medicare Coverage: Now What?

It includes your red, white and blue Medicare card along with your Medicare & Me handbook.

When your coverage actually begins depends on when you signed up.

Your Medicare coverage starts the first day of your birth month.

(If your birthday is Sept. 1, for example, your coverage begins Aug.

Lets say your birthday is Sept. 14 and you sign up for Medicare on Sept. 7.

Your coverage will begin Oct. 1.

If your birthday is Sept. 14 and you sign up Oct. 13, your coverage starts Nov. 1.

But your work isnt over yet.

Youll need Medicare prescription drug coverage and possibly a supplement insurance plan to help fill in coverage gaps.

Check your Medicare card or login to yourMyMedicare.govaccount to find this info.

You get a six-month window after starting Part B to select a Medigap policy without any medical underwriting.

Comparing Part D or Medicare supplement insurance plans can be confusing.

What Is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans are administered by private insurance companies that contract with the federal government.

Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage.

it’s possible for you to either have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

You cant have both.

Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.

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