How & When does one enroll, sign up for Medicare?
Part A – Hospital, usually for no premium and
Part B Doctors for around $148/month?
It's best to enroll 3 months before you turn 65
Graphic of when you can enroll based on turning age 65 * Publication 11036 *
Use this Medicare tool to Find out when you’re eligible for Medicare.
The best time to sign up is 3 months before your 65th birthday and coverage will start on the 1st of the month of your birthday. Be sure to let your prior carrier know at least 30 days in advance that you have new coverage and want to cancel. Especially if it's Covered CA! That way you don't have double premiums and duplicate coverage.
Once you enroll in Parts A & B, you are then eligible to get a Medi Gap Plan and part D Rx or Medicare Advantage (HMO) to fill in the gaps that Medicare doesn't pay. Please note that prescription drug coverage is effectively mandatory as there is a penalty when you eventually sign up, if you didn't sign up when you are supposed to.
How to Apply for Medicare using Medicare/Social Security’s ONLINE tool
- Click on the link to go to Social Security’s online enrollment tool
- Before applying, you can visit the “Getting Ready” section to prepare;
- Before you start your application, we recommend that you take a moment to prepare yourself by reviewing a few items:
- Make sure you meet the requirements to apply online for Retirement/Medicare;
- Gather all of the information you need to complete the application process.
- Before you start your application, we recommend that you take a moment to prepare yourself by reviewing a few items:
- More Information
- When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits #10147
Other Ways To Apply for Benefits - Be sure to sign up for BOTH Part A Hospital and B Dr. Visits – so that you can get Medi Gap supplement coverage or Medicare Advantage
- Please note, if you already have Part A, you can’t enroll online, for Part B Dr. Visits you have to fill out form OMB No. 0938-1230 ! You can mail it in, but be sure to follow up that Social Security has the form. If not, go to your local Social Security Office and enroll. Make sure you get a receipt!
Please note also, that it’s been reported that your Social Security number is required, even though there is NO PLACE on the form for it!
- When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits #10147
- Apply and complete the application, which normally takes 10 to 30 minutes; If you don’t have a Social Security account, the website will have you create one or check out the instructions on our other webpage
- Watch a Video on how to create your Social Security Account
- You don’t have to collect Social Security to get Medicare!
- If this confuses you, if you have SKYPE we can share your screen and help you, set a time to do it and
- Select “Submit Now” to send your application electronically to Social Security. Publication 10530
If you’d rather see a video, on how to enroll click on the link or scroll down
Medicare #Enrolling in Parts A & B # 11036
Our Webpage on Enrolling in Medicare A & B
Enroll ONLINE for Medicare Part A Hospital & B Doctor Visits
- Part A Hospital rules for zero premium
- Part B – Doctors – How to sign up – Benefits
- How to apply for Part B during your special enrollment period # 10012
- Fact Sheet
Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65 15 pages - Here's the CMS form to fill out L 564 E to get a special enrollment period, when you retire. VIDEO
- Here's the actual form to get Part B, if you already have Part A OMB No. 0938-1230 !
- If you need both, see our main webpage on Medicare Enrollment.
How to Apply ONLINE for Medicare Publication # 10530
Direct Link to Medicare's Enrollment Website
Our webpage on enrolling online
creating a Social Security Account
Medicare's Video on
how to enroll on their site
How to create a
My Social Security & Medicare.Gov Account on SSA.gov
Create ONLINE Account Publication # 10540
VIDEO on advantages and saving time by creating a Social Security Account
Our webpage on how to create a Social Security and My Medicare Account
You need it to sign up for Medicare too.
Create Social Security Account
We suggest that you create an account with Social Security and Medicare then you can log in and replace your card, in addition to getting tons of other information, like the explanation of benefits for any claims you have. The new card takes about 30 days to get. You can also change your address, etc.
With your free, personal my Social Security account, you can receive personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings, see your latest Statement, and review your earnings history. It even makes it easy to request a replacement Social Security Card or check the status of an application, from anywhere!
What can you do with a my Social Security account?
pdf # 10121
- Check your application status
-
explanation of benefits for recent MRI and X rays, copies of bills, Etc?
- Set up or change direct deposit
- Request a replacement Social Security card
- Get a Social Security 1099 (SSA-1099) form
- Get a proof of income letter
- Change your address if you’re a beneficiary
-
Get New ID Cards?
Official Medicare Enrollment Site
Here’s a screen shot of what the Medicare Enrollment Website looks like
Please note, if you already have Part A, you can’t enroll online, you have to fill out form OMB No. 0938-1230 ! You can mail it in, but be sure to follow up that Social Security has the form. If not, go to your local Social Security Office and enroll. Make sure you get a receipt!
Please note also, that it’s been reported that your Social Security number is required, even though there is NO PLACE on the form for it!
Should you start taking Social Security too?
Blue Shield Authorized Agent
No extra charge to you
Steve Video @ Blue Shield Headquarters
- #Get Quotes & Enroll with Blue Shield
- Individual & Family Direct *** Covered CA
- Medi Gap, Part D Rx & Medicare Advantage
- Employer Group
Eligibility & Premium (Penalty_ #Calculator
- Amplicare.com
Part D Rx Late Enrollment Penalty Calculator - VIDEO How Part D Late Enrollment Penalty is calculated
Visit Our Web Pages on:
- Late Part D Rx Penalties?
- Premium Surcharge if you have High Income?
- Part B Late Enrollment
- Enroll ONLINE for Medicare Part A Hospital & B Doctor Visits
Resources & Links
Medicare has done an excellent job of explaining how and when to enroll in their:
Guide Medicare & You,
Publication 11036 Enrolling in Parts A & B,
CA Health Line 10.27.2016
Washington Post on how to figure out Medicare and choose the correct plan
Information you need to have to apply for Medicare or Social Security
BROKER ONLY
Here’s one way of knowing in advance of your approval for Medicare A & B so that we can proceed with getting Medi Gap or Medicare Advantage.
See also our webpage on getting a Social Security Account.
My husband turns 65 in November. I’m 61. How does that affect my Covered CA coverage and subsidies? How does that affect our MAGI income? All the income is in his name! Does that mean I’ll have to be on Medi Cal as I won’t show any income?
Covered CA rules mandate that married people file jointly.
Thus, your MAGI income doesn’t matter whose name it is in.
Web visitors can get quotes here.
I’ll send you a private email with quotes, just for you with Covered CA
Because my 65th birthday is 10/17/2019, today I submitted an online application for Medicare.
What’s next?
Thank you so much for submitting your enrollment in Medicare A & B on the very first day that one is able too. 3 months before the month one turns 65. See our webpage above for more explanation. There are often SNAFU’s – Situation Normal All Fouled Up that can cause a lot of grief, worry and delays.
Did you get a receipt or confirmation that you submitted your application?
Click here to the links and instructions to get an ONLINE Social Security and Medicare Account so that you can track your progress of getting enrolled into Medicare A & B.
One can always just wait till Medicare sends your ID card…
Once you have your Medicare ID #, then we can submit applications for Medi Gap, Part D Rx & Medicare Advantage. See those pages on our website for more detail. Email us with any questions, visit our scheduling page to make a phone, Skype, What’s App or face to face meeting. Please note that for Part D or MAPD Medicare Advantage Federal Law requires you to sign a form to allow us to discuss those plans with you.
Here’s our page to better explain the advantages – disadvantages of MAPD vs Medi Gap and what the plans add to cover the gaps in Medicare A & B.
This page has a chart on what Medicare Pays, then Plan F Medi Gap, then what is still left for you to pay. Most of the time zero. Note that after 1.1.2020 Plan G will be the most comprehensive. Those that have Plan F, Extra or Innovative can keep Plan F forever!
Here’s one way of knowing in advance of your approval for Medicare A & B so that we can proceed with getting Medi Gap or Medicare Advantage.
See also our webpage on getting a Social Security Account.
I turn 65 in July. I just applied for Social Security and have received two checks so far. Will I be automatically enrolled into Medicare?
Some people get Part A and Part B automatically
If you’re already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.) https://www.medicare.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/10050-medicare-and-you.pdf
If you’re getting these benefits, in most cases,
You’ll get the “Welcome to Medicare” package that welcomes you to the program. This package is mailed about 3 months before your 65th birthday. In this package, you’ll get your Medicare card. https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11036-Enrolling-Medicare-Part-A-Part-B.pdf
I suggest you double check and make sure Social Security does it. Do you have an ONLINE account with them? https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
I applied for Medicare, but they are asking for tons of extra paperwork. Will my effective date still be my birthday month or will their scrutiny make it take longer?
Here’s the reply from CA Health Care Advocates:
I imagine the effective date would be retroactive to the original date of entitlement if the person is deemed to be eligible. But I’ve never faced this situation. Region 9 https://www.ssa.gov/sf/contact.htm would be the place to call about that.
My wife needs health insurance from Medicare.
She’s 65 years old us citizen but still working.
Social security can’t support her due to over the limit income.
If you or your wife have worked in the USA for more than 10 years, go ahead and use the enrollment link above.
Here’s the rules about qualifying for no Charge Part A
If you don’t qualify for no cost Part A Hospital, scroll down and view the sub or child pages. If you still have questions post them on the most relevant page. You do not have to put in your name.
What do you mean Social Security can’t support her, your over the Income Limit?
Do you mean Medi Cal, Medicaid? Obamacare/ACA subsidies?
I’m interested in getting Medicare at 63 years old. I have MS and have been told I’m eligible at 63. Is that true?
Yes, if you qualify for SSDI, after two years you automatically get Medicare. See our SSDI page for more details. See also publication 10029 Disability Benefits page 12. More on Medicare 10043 or see Medicare and you.
I need Medicare Coverage for April 1st.
1. What is the deadline to turn in my paper application or do it online?
2. If I apply say March 31st, will coverage start April 1st, even though I haven’t been notified?
Part A Hospitalization will be effective on the first month that you are eligible for Medicare (your birthday) as long as you do it within the time frame shown above – 3 months before or after the month you turn 65 Enrolling in Medicare 11036 page 11
Part B gets delayed a month, if you don’t sign up before your birthday month. See page 12 for chart.
If you have a special enrollment period for Part B, coverage typically starts the month after Social Security gets your application – see page 13.
Medicare was enacted in 1965. I first had it deducted from paychecks starting in 1966. I retired in 2016 so Medicare was deducted from all my earnings for 50 years.
I finally had occasion to use my Medicare benefit getting a doctor ordered blood test in order to continue receiving medication for high blood pressure. Medicare paid a whopping $2.94. My share was only $241.84.
See the chatter between high school friends on facebook to respond to this issue.
I can’t check the SS website because it won’t let me setup an account due to the fact that when I first tried to set up an account on March 8th I didn’t answer some of the identity verification questions correctly so it locked me out indefinitely. Great, huh!
I was able to apply at Medicare however that day and got a confirmation email.
I tried today to call SS to reset the site so I can setup an account, and see if I’m enrolled, but the wait time was 1-1/2 hours. Great, huh!
Any suggestions????
Since you’ve enrolled at the Social Security Office face to face, I don’t see that you need to get into the enrollment website @ https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/rib
Here’s where you can create an account to view your claims, earnings, get a duplicate ID card, etc. https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
That’s where I’m locked out of.
Here’s what Social Securities FAQ’s and Help screens say a the bottom of the page:
Sorry, the link broke. Try googling or just email us for the new one.
If You Cannot Or Do Not Want To Create An Account Online
You may be unable or unwilling to create an online account if you:
Have blocked all electronic access to your personal information with us;
Have recently moved or changed your name;
Have been the victim of domestic violence or identity theft; or
Are uncomfortable with or unable to use the online process for some other reason.
In these cases, you may still create an account in person by visiting your local Social Security office.
You might also just “suffer” and wait on hold, 1-800-772-1213 per their FAQ’s
Hello Steve,
1. I have coverage through my work.
2. Will be turning 65 April 15th so need to enroll in Medicare.
3. Any recommendations for that with the job coverage??
Regards,
Mike
We’ve just created a NEW webpage to deal with the issue of Medicare while one still has coverage through their employment, click here.