HOOK
[On-screen text: “Miss this Medicare window, and it can cost you.” B-roll: calendar pages flipping, someone reviewing mail.] Did you know one missed Medicare deadline can lead to late penalties and gaps in coverage? The tricky part is, not all Medicare sign-up rules are the same.
KEY POINT 1
[B-roll: person turning 65, birthday cake, calendar highlighting dates.] Your first big deadline is your Initial Enrollment Period. It starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and lasts three months after. That’s your best time to sign up for Parts A and B.
KEY POINT 2
[B-roll: prescription bottle, doctor visit, pharmacy counter.] If you want drug coverage, don’t forget Part D. Even if you don’t take many medications now, waiting too long to enroll can trigger a late enrollment penalty. And that penalty can stick with you.
KEY POINT 3
[B-roll: employer benefits packet, retired couple comparing plans.] Already covered by a job plan? You may not need to enroll right away, but you should confirm whether your current coverage is considered creditable. If it isn’t, Medicare may count that as a coverage gap later.
KEY POINT 4
[B-roll: phone with Medicare.gov, checklist on screen.] The safest move is to check your dates, compare your current coverage, and make a plan before your enrollment window closes. A few minutes now can save a lot of stress later.
CTA
[On-screen text: “Know your Medicare dates.” B-roll: person clicking through Medicare.gov.] If you’re nearing 65, don’t guess—verify your enrollment window and what coverage you already have. Learn the rules now, and you’ll avoid avoidable surprises later.
