Medicare Enrollment Help – Turning 65 or Changing Plans in Michigan

Know Your Medicare Timeline. We’ll Help You Get It Right.

If you’re approaching 65 or already have Medicare and need to change plans, knowing your enrollment deadlines is critical. At Quality Choice Insurance, we guide West Michigan residents—whether in Muskegon, Sparta, or Grand Rapids—through every step of Medicare enrollment in Michigan. We make sure you understand the rules, avoid costly penalties, and get the coverage that fits your life.

There are different enrollment periods depending on your situation: turning 65, working past retirement age, changing your current plan, or losing other coverage. We’ll help you sort through what applies to you—and get it done right the first time.

Turning 65: When and How to Enroll in Medicare

If you're nearing your 65th birthday, now’s the time to plan. You have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after.

• If you're already receiving Social Security, you’ll likely be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically.
  
• If you're not receiving Social Security, you'll need to enroll manually—usually through the Social Security Administration website or office.
  
  

Missing this window can result in permanent penalties. In Michigan, we regularly help people in areas like Whitehall, Fremont, and Ravenna enroll at the right time—without stress. If you're not covered by a large employer plan, it’s essential to sign up for Part B during this period.

Still Working at 65? Know Your Options

If you or your spouse are still working at 65, your Medicare timing depends on the size of your employer:

• 20 or more employees: You can delay Part B without penalty. When you retire or lose coverage, you'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
  
• Fewer than 20 employees: Medicare becomes your primary insurance, even if you're working. You’ll need to enroll in Parts A and B at 65.
  
  

When you leave your job or lose coverage, you’ll get an 8-month SEP to enroll in Medicare without penalty. It’s easy to make a wrong move here—so we offer a clear path forward, especially for those in Michigan industries where working into your late 60s is common.

We also guide veterans on how Medicare interacts with VA benefits—visit our Medicare for Veterans page for more.

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment (AEP)

Every year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to:

• Switch Medicare Advantage plans
  
• Join or drop a Part D prescription plan
  
• Return to Original Medicare or change from one Advantage plan to another
  
  

This is called the Annual Election Period (AEP). The new coverage takes effect January 1. If you live in Grand Rapids, Newaygo, or along the lakeshore, we offer annual plan reviews—so your coverage keeps up with your needs.

Want to learn more about your options during AEP? Join us at a Medicare info meeting near you.

Other Key Medicare Enrollment Periods

Not every enrollment fits into the “turning 65” or AEP category. Here are others we help clients navigate:

• General Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31): For people who missed enrolling in Part A or B when first eligible. Coverage starts July 1.
  
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31): Allows people already in a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
  
• Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Triggered by life changes—moving out of your plan’s area, losing job-based coverage, becoming eligible for Medicaid, and more.
  
  

We help you take advantage of the right enrollment window, so you never pay more than you have to.

Avoid Costly Medicare Penalties

Missing your Medicare deadlines can lead to monthly penalties that last a lifetime:

• Part B Late Enrollment Penalty: 10% added to your premium for each full 12-month period you delayed, unless you had creditable coverage.
  
• Part D Late Enrollment Penalty: Roughly 1% of the national base premium for each month you went without coverage, added permanently.
  
  

Did you know? If you delay Medicare without the right employer or union coverage, you could pay extra every single month—for life. Let’s avoid that together.

Get Personalized Enrollment Guidance

At Quality Choice Insurance, we take the guesswork out of Medicare timelines. Whether you're signing up for the first time or need to review your plan each fall, we’ll:

• Walk you through the Medicare enrollment process
  
• Help fill out the forms (or complete them online with you)
  
• Coordinate with Social Security or your employer insurance if needed
  
• Remind you of important deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks
  
  

Call now or contact us to schedule your free one-on-one Medicare consultation—or RSVP for an upcoming “Medicare 101” workshop near you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Enrollment

Need Help Finding the Right Medicare Drug Plan?

Don’t guess and hope your medications are covered. Let’s review your options together and make sure you’re not overpaying—or at risk of future penalties.