You will start getting mailings in the near future from all sorts of insurance companies explaining the rules. Basically, though you are not required to sign up, you need to sign up within three months of your 65th birthday or it becomes harder and more restrictive later on. Right now anyone who can afford the premiums should probably sign up and keep a secondary insurance. Medicare does not pay as lavishly as some people think, so Medigap plans are widespread and useful.
"You will start getting mailings in the near future from all sorts of insurance companies explaining the rules. Basically, though you are not required to sign up, you need to sign up within three months of your 65th birthday or it becomes harder and more restrictive later on. Right now anyone who can afford the premiums should probably sign up and keep a secondary insurance. Medicare does not pay as lavishly as some people think, so Medigap plans are widespread and useful."
That doesn't deal with the situation of some doctors and practices not taking Medicare at all. If your doctor is one of those, the decision is much harder.