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Turning 65 on an ACA Marketplace plan? How to switch to Medicare

By Ankur Mehta, licensed independent insurance agent in Florida, Georgia and Texas · Updated October 28, 2026

Step 1: Know your Medicare window

Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. Signing up in the 3 months before your birthday month lets Medicare start on the first day of your birthday month (or the month before if your birthday is on the 1st).

Step 2: Choose how you’ll get your Medicare coverage

You can choose a Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and a Part D drug plan. Your doctors, prescriptions, travel and budget all matter. This is where a side-by-side comparison helps.

Step 3: Cancel your Marketplace plan at the right time

Your Marketplace plan won’t automatically end when Medicare starts. Once you know your Medicare start date, end your Marketplace plan on HealthCare.gov or Georgia Access so it ends the day before. Once you’re eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you generally can’t keep getting a Marketplace tax credit, and you may have to pay it back.

Don’t skip Medicare to keep your Marketplace plan

If you delay Medicare without other qualifying coverage, such as a large employer plan, you could face late enrollment penalties that last for life. Marketplace coverage doesn’t count as qualifying coverage for delaying Medicare.

I can help with both

Because I’m licensed for both Medicare and ACA Marketplace plans in Florida, Georgia and Texas, I can time the switch for you so there’s no gap and no overlap. My help is free.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 16 Medicare organizations which offer 285+ products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Not affiliated with any government agency, including Medicare.