Quick Medicare Check — 5 Questions, 2 Minutes
Answer a few simple questions and get a clear answer about whether you should enroll now or whether you can safely wait.
When do you turn 65?
Choose the month and year of your 65th birthday — this helps determine your Medicare enrollment window.
What are your retirement plans?
This helps us understand your employment situation and determine the best Medicare enrollment timing for you.
Do you have health insurance through your current employer?
This means coverage through your own active job — not a spouse's plan, not COBRA, not retiree coverage.
Roughly how many employees does your company have?
Company size affects whether Medicare or your employer plan pays first — it matters more than most people realize.
Are you married or partnered?
This helps us understand whether a spouse's coverage situation could affect your Medicare enrollment timing.
Does your spouse have employer health coverage?
If your spouse has active employer coverage that also covers you, it may affect when you need to enroll in Medicare Part B.
Last step — get your personalized Medicare answer.
Leave your name and best contact info and Michael will personally follow up with answers tailored to your situation. This is 100% optional — you can skip and still see your result.
🔒 Your information stays private. Never sold, never shared.
When do I need to sign up for Medicare in Washington?
Most Washington residents sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period — the 7-month enrollment window that starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after. If you sign up early, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month.
What is the Initial Enrollment Period?
It's the first time you can enroll in Medicare without a penalty. The window covers seven months total: the three months before your birthday, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. Outside that window, late penalties may apply for life. One of the biggest decisions during this period is choosing between Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage.
What happens if I'm still working when I turn 65?
If your employer has 20 or more employees and you're on the company health plan, you can usually delay Part B without a penalty. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare typically becomes your primary insurance at 65 — and you'll want to enroll on time. If you're still working at 65, your options depend on your employer's size and coverage.
Do I need to do anything if I'm already getting Social Security?
If you're collecting Social Security at least four months before your 65th birthday, you'll be auto-enrolled in Parts A and B. Your Medicare card arrives in the mail. If you have other coverage and want to delay Part B, you'll need to take action with Social Security.
What are the Medicare late enrollment penalties?
The Part B penalty is 10% added to your premium for every 12 months you were eligible but didn't sign up. It's permanent — you pay it for as long as you're on Part B. The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you go without creditable drug coverage. Understanding how much Medicare costs in Washington helps you plan your budget before enrollment.
Enroll on time vs. miss the window — what it costs you
| Scenario | What happens | Lifetime cost impact |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll during IEP (on time) | Standard Part B premium ($202.90/mo in 2026) | $0 in penalties |
| Delay 12 months without coverage | 10% Part B penalty added permanently | ~$243/year extra, for life |
| Delay 24 months without coverage | 20% Part B penalty added permanently | ~$487/year extra, for life |
| Delay 36 months without coverage | 30% Part B penalty added permanently | ~$731/year extra, for life |
Penalty examples are illustrative. Premiums and penalties are set by CMS each year.
Not Sure What You Need?
Request a Free Medicare Review.
Michael will personally walk you through what to enroll in, when, and how to avoid late-enrollment penalties — based on your exact situation. No cost, no obligation, no obligation. Just an honest local conversation.
- ✓ Personalized guidance for turning 65 in Washington
- ✓ Clear plan for Part A, Part B, and timing
- ✓ Avoid permanent Medicare late-enrollment penalties
- ✓ Local, licensed agent serving Washington State
Coverage and eligibility depend on location, age, underwriting, and carrier availability.
You're all set — Michael will be in touch shortly.
While you wait, you might find this useful:
Michael runs a free Facebook group called "Turning 65 in Washington State" — a welcoming community where Washington residents ask Medicare questions and get clear answers.
No selling. No spam. Just real answers from a local advisor who does this every day.
Join the free Facebook group →
You can also reach Michael anytime at (253) 880-6527.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse stay on my employer plan if I go on Medicare?
What does Medicare cost when I first enroll?
Do I need a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan?
How early should I start planning?
Does Washington State have anything beyond Medicare for long-term care?
Not ready to book a call yet? That's okay.
Join Michael's free Facebook group — "Turning 65 in Washington State" — where Washington residents ask Medicare questions and get real answers. No agenda.
Join the free community →Talk Directly with a Local Licensed Agent
Michael Gurr serves University Place and Pierce County. Just honest rate comparisons.
Not sure which Medicare path is right for you? Read about Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage in Washington, or learn about the 7-month enrollment window most Washington residents don't know about.
Beyond Medicare
Turning 65 Is the Start of a Bigger Conversation
Medicare is the foundation. But turning 65 is also when three other planning conversations get real — what happens when extended care is needed, whether your household income is protected if one spouse dies, and what retirement income actually looks like when the paychecks stop. Once Medicare is sorted, those conversations are the natural next step.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Approaching 65 is a lot to take in. We'll get arms around your situation in 10–15 minutes and you'll know exactly what to do next. Get local Medicare guidance in your area — whether you're in Lakewood or anywhere else in Pierce County.
There's no charge to talk and no obligation to decide. If it's not the right fit, I'll tell you that too.