Enroll in Medicare Part A & Part B Online

Turning 65 and ready for Medicare?

• For most people, Medicare starts with Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). If you are not already being enrolled automatically and you do not have a reason to delay Medicare, you can apply online through Social Security.
• Before choosing additional coverage, you may want to review what Medicare Part A and Part B cover.
• You do not need to choose a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) or Medicare Advantage plan before you enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. After your Medicare enrollment is underway, you can compare those choices.

Ready to Enroll?

Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment is handled through the Social Security Administration. Social Security says people age 65
or older can enroll online in Parts A and B, or Part A only.

Tip: You can enroll in Medicare without starting your Social Security
retirement benefits.

Already Receiving Social Security?

• If you are already receiving Social Security benefits far enough in advance of age 65,  you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
• Watch for your Medicare welcome package and Medicare card before your coverage begins.
• If you are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you generally need to  take action to enroll in Medicare yourself.
• Medicare.gov — Check whether you need to sign up

When Should You Sign Up for Medicare?

For most people turning 65, the first opportunity to enroll is the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period:

• 3 months before the month you turn 65
• The month you turn 65
• 3 months after the month you turn 65

If you sign up for Part B before the month you turn 65, coverage generally begins the month you turn 65. If you sign up during the month you turn 65 or during the following three months, coverage generally begins the next month.

• Resources
  • When does Medicare Coverage Start Medicare.Gov
    
  • Medicare and You Pamphlet 10050

Do You Have a Reason Not to Enroll in Medicare Now?

Most people should enroll when they first become eligible. However, there are situations where you should check the rules before enrolling in Part A or Part B.

• You or your spouse are still working and you have current employer group
  health coverage.
  • You may be able to delay Part B without a late enrollment penalty, depending on the coverage and employment situation.
  • Medicare enrollment if covered by an employer plan or retiring  our webpage 
    
• You are contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
  • Be careful before enrolling in Medicare. Premium-free Part A can be retroactive for as much as six months when you enroll after age 65, which can affect HSA contribution eligibility.
  • Medicare.gov — Part A start dates and HSA warning
    
• You are already over 65 and missed your original enrollment period.
  • Different enrollment rules may apply. Don’t assume that the ordinary turning-65
    instructions above apply to you.
  • General Enrollment Period (GEP) our webpage when you missed enrollment deadline for Part B
    
• You have COBRA, retiree coverage, VA benefits or another type of coverage.
  • Those rules are different from coverage based on your or your spouse’s current employment. Check before delaying Part  B.
  • VA compared with Medicare our webpage
    

If none of these situations applies to you, don’t let all the Medicare
exceptions make the basic enrollment process harder than it needs to be.

No Reason to Delay?
Enroll in Medicare.

You can apply online for Medicare Parts A & B through online through Social Security.

We can help you online through Zoom – Just set a meeting.

Here’s how to create a Social Security and Medicare Account 

Enroll in Medicare A & B Online

Already 65 or Older and Something Went Wrong?

If you already have Part A but never enrolled in Part B, missed your Initial Enrollment Period, lost employer coverage, or had Part B cancelled, your enrollment rules may be different.

• General Enrollment Period (GEP)  our webpage when you didn’t have employer coverage
  
• Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP)  delayed due to employer coverage
  
• Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty our webpage
  
• COBRA or Retiree Coverage and Missed Part B our webpage
  
• My Medicare Part B Was Cancelled for Non-Payment our webpage
  

I Have or signed up for Medicare Parts A & B — What Comes Next?

Once your Medicare Parts A and B are in place, you can decide how you want to receive your Medicare coverage and whether you want additional coverage.

• Original Medicare: You may want a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and separate Part D prescription drug coverage.
• Medicare Advantage: Medicare Advantage plans are another way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, usually through a provider network.
• Medicare Choices Options Original vs Medicare Advantage – Part D Rx our webpage 

Questions Before You Enroll?

Medicare Parts A and B are enrolled through Social Security — not through an insurance company or insurance agent. I can help explain the timing, whether there may be a reason to delay Part B, and what your coverage options are after Medicare begins.

Resources

• Social Security.gov  — Sign Up for Medicare
  
• Medicare.gov — Ready to Sign Up for Part A & Part B
  
• Medicare.gov — When Does Medicare Coverage Start?
  
• Medicare.gov  & You — Product #10050
  
• More Medicare A & B Enrollment Questions our webpage