Baby boomers are not ready to rock in a chair or roll over out of sight, but they did sign up for Medicare.

Those committed to helping boomers wade through Medicare regulations are bracing themselves for an expected surge this year with the possibility of confusion because of numerous coverage options and the sheer size of a generation affected.

Used to having choices and all with different needs, baby boomers are expected to redefine the graying of America, some believing they must continue to work because of economic circumstances, others because they simply want to.

Many boomers who sign up for Medicare when they turn 65 continue to work either part time or full-time.

But Medicare is a patchwork of  options and programs. Learning the A,B.C’s of Medicare can be difficult. There’s A (hospitalization), B (medical expenses), C (Medicare Advantage option) and D (prescription plans) of Medicare, as well as supplemental health insurances and the ins and outs of premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

There there are potential penalties for failing to sign up for Medicare right away after turning 65. For each year a person delays in enrollment, there is a 10 percent premium penalty for not signing up for Medicare Part B (medical expenses) if you don’t have other credible coverage through an employer or your spouse’s employer.

Another penalty can occur after seven months for those who don’t sign up for Part D (prescription coverage) right away.

There’s been a consistent increase in the number of people wanting to know While those already on Social Security should be signed up for Medicare automatically at age 65, it is still wise to contact the Social Security office or sign up online at www.ssa.gov.