Medicare 2026

Turning 65 in Roseville? Your Medicare First Steps

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — If a 65th birthday is on your calendar, your Medicare clock is already ticking. The good news: the first steps are simpler than they look, and getting them right now can save you months of headaches later.

Turning 65 in Roseville? Here's How to Start Medicare the Right Way

This guide walks Roseville residents through the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), what to sign up for, and where to get free, unbiased help close to home.

Your Initial Enrollment Period: A 7-Month Window

Your IEP is a seven-month window built around your 65th birthday:

• The three months before your birthday month
• Your birthday month
• The three months after your birthday month

Signing up in the three months before your birthday month means your coverage can start on the first day of your birthday month. Waiting until later in the window can delay when your coverage begins.

If you miss this window and don't have other qualifying coverage, you could face late enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D — penalties that can stick with you for life. That alone is reason enough to mark your calendar.

Are You Enrolled Automatically, or Do You Need to Sign Up?

It depends on your situation:

• Already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits? You'll usually be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically. Your red, white, and blue Medicare card should arrive about three months before your 65th birthday.
• Not yet drawing those benefits? You need to enroll yourself. You can do it online at SSA.gov/medicare, by phone, or at your local Social Security office.

Even if you plan to keep working past 65, it's worth checking with your employer's HR team about how your workplace coverage works with Medicare. Rules differ depending on the size of the employer.

Understanding the Parts of Medicare

Before you make choices, it helps to know what's on the menu:

• Part A — Hospital insurance. Most people pay no premium if they or a spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough.
• Part B — Medical insurance (doctor visits, outpatient care). It has a monthly premium set by Medicare each year.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage) — An "all-in-one" alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private insurers approved by Medicare.
• Part D — Prescription drug coverage, also offered by private insurers.
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement) — Optional private coverage that helps pay some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs.

You generally choose one path: Original Medicare (often paired with a Part D plan and possibly Medigap), or a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles things together. Roseville is in Ramsey County, where multiple carriers offer both Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Part D options — a licensed agent or SHIP counselor can walk you through what's available.

What's New for 2026 You Should Know About

A few program-level facts worth putting in your notebook:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 for 2026. Once your prescription spending hits that amount, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• Part D deductible: Up to $615 (plans can charge less).
• No more "donut hole." The old coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three simpler phases.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: An optional program that lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA: If your 2024 income was above $109,000 (single filer) or $218,000 (joint), you'll pay a higher Part B and Part D premium in 2026.

Key Dates to Remember After You're Enrolled

Once you're in, these are the dates that matter every year:

• October 15 – December 7: Annual Enrollment Period. You can switch, join, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
• January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in an Advantage plan, you can change to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

Where to Get Free, Local Help in Roseville

You don't have to figure this out alone — and you shouldn't rely on ads or sales calls for your main information.

• Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line — The state's official SHIP program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-333-2433.
• Medicare.gov — The federal source for enrollment, the Plan Finder tool, and rules.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — Available 24/7.
• Ramsey County libraries and senior centers often host Medicare education events in the fall — a good chance to ask questions in person.