Who must sign up for Medicare if they are eligible?

The correct answer indicates that eligible individuals, while they are encouraged to enroll, do not have a strict mandate requiring them to do so. Medicare is designed primarily for people aged 65 and older or younger individuals with specific disabilities, and while it is beneficial to enroll to access healthcare coverage, there is no legal obligation to enroll upon reaching eligibility.

This means that eligible individuals can choose to wait and may face penalties or a lapse in coverage if they delay without having other creditable coverage. Understanding this option helps in planning for healthcare needs, as individuals have the agency to decide based on their personal circumstances and healthcare requirements.