Medicare Part D
Turning 65 in Davenport? Your Medicare Timeline Starts Now
DAVENPORT, Iowa — If your 65th birthday is on the horizon, the clock is already ticking on one of the most important decisions of your retirement years. Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP, is a seven-month window that opens three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and closes three months after. Miss it, and you could face late penalties that stick with you for life.
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Key takeaways
- Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: it starts three months before your 65th birthday month, includes that month, and ends three months after.
- Missing this window can lead to a lifetime Part B late-enrollment penalty of 10% for every 12 months you delayed signing up.
- If you or your spouse have active coverage through a current employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty, but COBRA and retiree coverage don't count.
- For 2026, IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D begin above $109,000 in income for single filers, based on your tax return from two years earlier.
Davenport residents nearing 65 face a 7-month enrollment window
The good news: with a little planning, the process is straightforward. Here's what people in Davenport need to know.
What the Initial Enrollment Period actually covers
Your IEP is your first chance to sign up for Original Medicare — that's Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). It's also when you can pick up a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, which bundles Parts A, B, and usually D through a private insurer approved by Medicare.
A few tips on timing:
- If you sign up in the three months before your birthday month, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month.
- If you sign up during or after your birthday month, coverage starts the first day of the following month.
- Most people who paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years pay no premium for Part A.
If you're already getting Social Security benefits, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. If not, you need to sign up yourself at SSA.gov or by calling Social Security.
Still working? You may not need to rush
If you (or your spouse) have health coverage through a current employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty and enroll later through a Special Enrollment Period. But COBRA and retiree coverage don't count as active employer coverage for this purpose — a common and costly misunderstanding.
If you're unsure, talk with your benefits administrator before your birthday month. Getting this wrong can mean a lifetime Part B late-enrollment penalty of 10% for every 12 months you delayed.
Plan choices in Scott County
Davenport is in Scott County, where Medicare beneficiaries choose between two main paths:
1. Original Medicare (Parts A and B), often paired with a stand-alone Part D drug plan and, sometimes, a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy to help cover out-of-pocket costs. 2. Medicare Advantage (Part C), offered by private insurers, which usually includes drug coverage and may include extras like dental or vision.
The number of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in Scott County changes each year. You can see the current list — with premiums, drug coverage details, and provider networks — using the Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov.
Star Ratings, which range from 1 to 5, are published by Medicare to help you compare plan quality. They're a tool, not a verdict — use them alongside your own priorities.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Scott County
(MA penetration in Scott County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Big changes to drug costs in 2026 and 2027 and 2027
Part D is very different than it was even two years ago. Here's what applies now and what changes January 1:
- An annual out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drugs: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you hit that ceiling, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the calendar year.
- A maximum Part D deductible of $615 in 2026, rising to $700 in 2027 (plans can charge less).
- The old "donut hole" is gone. Part D now has three phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to join.
Higher earners: know about IRMAA
If your income is above certain thresholds, you'll pay more for Parts B and D through the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). For 2026, IRMAA kicks in above $109,000 for single filers (and higher thresholds for joint filers). Social Security uses your tax return from two years earlier to determine this.
Key dates to keep on your calendar
- Your IEP: the seven months around your 65th birthday.
- Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, when anyone with Medicare can change plans for the next year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, when people already in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch once.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 if I have insurance through my job?
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
What happens if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.