Since you are turning 65 soon, plan on working past age 65 and will continue to have group health insurance through your employer, you have some investigating to do. Talk to your HR department and to the person that administers your healthcare benefits. Once you turn 65 and if you have worked 40 quarters (10 years) over your working lifetime, you are eligible to receive Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) without cost. Medicare Part A, if you qualify, is automatic, no sign-up is required. The decision to be made is whether you need to apply for Medicare Part B. Contact your HR department and let them know you are eligible for Part B of Medicare. In some cases you will not need to apply for your Part B until you decide to retire. The same goes for your Part D, which is your drug benefit. You need to know that your group insurance is “creditable coverage”. If your employer sponsored group insurance does have creditable coverage you will not need to sign up with a Part D drug plan. If you do need to apply for Medicare Part B. You can call 1.800.MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov and apply on-line.