Medicare part A (hospitalization) is automatic when you turn 65. Medicare part B is optional and if you have the right kind of medical insurance there is no penalty for not enrolling in part B—but if you have the wrong insurance or no insurance you will pay a lifetime monthly penalty based on how long you delayed joining.
The place to get answers is at the Social Security office. In my experience asking over the phone is just an exercise in frustration.
All that said, I kept working after turning 65 and found that Medicare A + B+ supplemental + Drug plan was a lot cheaper and gave much better coverage than my employer’s plan.
But before you decide, check with Social Security to make sure. HTH
The biggest problems with insurance are not the insurance companies. Look at the % of obese Americans. Not one of the 30% plus obese Americans could qualify for an individual policy. Add diabetes, COPD, and other risks like cancer, uncontrolled hypertension, HIV, addiction etc. I could never cover a diabetic unless he/she was in job covered by group insurance. Also I recall only businesses with over X # of employees were underwritten non medically. Premiums were based largely on claims/loss ratio. Let’s face facts that quite a few Americans are not in decent health now. Try to get a long term care policy now. That is still medically underwritten based on one’s health. I urge folks to get one before serious health issues make it impossible.