If you are turning 65 in 2026, you have a critical seven-month window to sign up for Medicare — and missing it can be an expensive mistake. While some people are enrolled automatically, millions of others must take proactive steps to avoid gaps in their health coverage.
With new 2026 changes now in effect — including a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs and lower negotiated prices for high-cost medications — there has never been a more important time to get your enrollment right. Here is exactly how to sign up, what documents you need, and the deadlines you cannot afford to miss.
