Key Takeaways
- It spans three months before to three months after your 65th birthday month.
- Enrolling early avoids gaps in coverage.
- Late enrollment can trigger penalties.
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the seven-month window around your 65th birthday when you can first sign up for Medicare. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after.
Enrolling early in this window helps ensure your coverage is active the day you become eligible and avoids late-enrollment penalties.