So you are about to turn 65

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before your 65 birthday. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease , or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis . 

That all depends on how you get your health insurance now and the number of employees that are in the company where you currently obtain your coverages.

Normally, if you have job-based health insurance through your (or your spouse’s) current employer, you don’t have to sign up for Medicare while you (or your spouse) are still employed. You can still sign up when you (or your spouse) stop working or you lose your health insurance benefits. This is also known as an "Opened Window Period".

• If you’re self-employed or have health insurance that’s not available to everyone at the company: Ask your insurance carrier if your plan provided by the employer group will continue to be considered "creditable coverage" for you after your 65th birthday. If not, you should sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid a monthly Part B late enrollment penalty.
• If the employer has less than 20 employees: You might need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 so you don’t have gaps in your job-based health insurance. Check with the employers benefits coordinator for details.
• If you have COBRA coverage: Sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid gaps in coverage and a monthly Part B late enrollment penalty. If you have COBRA before signing up for Medicare, your COBRA will probably end once you sign up.

If you’re already getting benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement, you’ll automatically get Medicare. If not, you’ll need to sign up. Find out how you get Medicare based on your situation.