Turning 65 Email 1 of 5 — Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period: The Dates That Matter
Internal note (delete before sending): Email 1 of 5. Send immediately after a Medicare lead joins the list. Suggested subject: Your Medicare enrollment window: the dates that matter. Preview text: Miss it and the cost can last for life. Merge tags such as {{first_name}} should be confirmed against the email tool before sending.
Hello {{first_name}},
Turning 65 brings a lot of mail, calls and opinions. Let’s cut through them. The most important thing to understand first is timing.
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your IEP is a 7-month window built around your 65th birthday month:
- 3 months before the month you turn 65
- The month you turn 65
- 3 months after that month
If you enroll in the 3 months before your birthday month, coverage generally starts on the first day of your birthday month. If you enroll later in the window, coverage start can be delayed, so earlier is usually better.
Why the dates matter
If you miss your IEP and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (for example, through current employer coverage based on active employment), you may face:
- A late enrollment penalty on Part B, generally 10% for each full 12-month period you could have enrolled and didn’t, for as long as you have Part B
- A gap in coverage while you wait for the next General Enrollment Period
- Fewer options for Medicare Supplement plans, since your guaranteed-issue rights are tied to timing
Two situations that change the rules
- Still working with employer coverage? You may be able to delay Part B without penalty, but the rules depend on employer size and whether the coverage is based on current employment. Verify before you delay.
- Already receiving Social Security? You may be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Check your mailbox for your Medicare card.
What to do this week
Find your birthday month, count back three months, and put that date on your calendar. In the next email, we’ll walk through what Medicare actually consists of.
Questions in the meantime? Call us at 503-832-8555, or book a free 30-minute consultation.
Warm regards, Rodney Cummings Legacy Wealth Services
Legacy Wealth Services is an independent insurance agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. We are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This message is educational and is not individualized advice. Medicare rules and penalties are subject to change.