Medicare 2026

Why the Medicare 7-Month Window Matters in Lincoln

# Turning 65 in Lincoln? Don't Miss Your 7-Month…

LINCOLN, Neb. — If you're approaching your 65th birthday, the calendar just became one of the most important tools in your financial life. Medicare gives you a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) built around that birthday, and using it well can save you from lifelong penalties and coverage gaps.

What the Initial Enrollment Period actually is

The IEP is the first chance most people have to sign up for Medicare. It spans seven months total — the three months before you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. For someone with a July birthday, that means April through October.

During this window you can enroll in Part A (hospital), Part B (doctor and outpatient), and Part D (prescription drugs). You can also choose whether to get your coverage through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

First steps for people turning 65 in Lincoln

Start about six months before your birthday. A short checklist helps:

• Decide whether you'll enroll in Part B now or delay it because you have qualifying employer coverage. If you're still working at a large employer, talk to your HR office before doing anything.
• If you're already getting Social Security, you'll likely be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. If not, you'll need to sign up yourself at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security.
• Think about prescription drugs. Even if you don't take any today, enrolling in a Part D plan (or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage) during your IEP helps you avoid a late-enrollment penalty later.
• Gather a list of your doctors, medications, and pharmacies. You'll want this when comparing coverage options.

Why the deadline really matters

Medicare's late-enrollment penalties are not one-time fees. The Part B penalty adds 10% to your monthly premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn't sign up — and it can stay with you for as long as you have Part B. The Part D penalty is calculated a bit differently but works the same way: it's added to your monthly premium, potentially for life.

Signing up on time avoids all of that.

The local picture in Lancaster County

Lincoln sits in Lancaster County, and Medicare plan availability is set at the county level. That means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you'll see when you shop are the ones approved for Lancaster County residents. Rural neighbors in Seward or Saunders counties may see a different mix.

A couple of program-wide facts worth knowing as you compare:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you reach it, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• The Part D deductible can be no higher than $615 in 2026, rising to $700 in 2027.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Higher-income enrollees pay an IRMAA surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums; for a single filer in 2026, those surcharges start above $109,000 in income.
• If drug costs are uneven month to month, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread them out over the year at no extra charge.

Enrollment periods to keep on your radar

Your IEP is the first door, but not the only one. After you're enrolled, the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) lets you change your Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage for the next year. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) gives one additional chance to switch.

Where to get unbiased help in Lincoln

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you shouldn't rely on a TV ad to make the decision.

• Medicare.gov — the official Plan Finder lets you compare Lancaster County plans using your own drug list.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — available 24/7.
• Nebraska SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) — free one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers, with no ties to any insurance company. Call 800-234-7119 to be connected with help in Lincoln.