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Why you have to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 years old

While you don't have to use the coverage at 65, if you don't enroll at that age you'll pay a penalty for the rest of your life.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It is the most common question people ask: Do I have to enroll in Medicare? The reason so many people are confused is that more and more people are working past the age of 65 and using their workplace health insurance. 

But the reality is, regardless of whether you're going to use Medicare coverage or not, you have to enroll for Medicare coverage when you are 65 years old. If you don't enroll, then you will pay a penalty for the rest of your life. 

Catherine Sevier from NC AARP and Steve Edmunds from Alliance Insurance Services join WFMY News 2 for a live Q&A today at 5:30 pm. You can text in your questions about Medicare and health insurance in general, at 336-379-5775. 

You need to sign up.....

Even if you’re still working? Yes.

Even if you still have insurance? Yes

Even if you’re covered by your spouse's insurance? Yes.

“You must sign up at 65 there is no exception to that. Unless you want to pay a penalty when you do sign up later and there are penalties associated with all the parts, but with part b penalty is forever,” said Catherine Sevier of AARP.

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