How to Apply for Medicare

Many individuals are immediately enrolled in Original Medicare around their 65th birthday.
Others will need enroll in all or some parts of Medicare on their own.

The enrollment process starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and continues 3 months after your 65th birth month. So take advantage during this enrollment window.

Medicare is the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 years and over or people with particular health conditions. First applying for Medicare can look like an initiation rite lol.

But applying for Medicare can also be a bit confusing. That’s due to the fact that it has a number of parts, and you need to remember quite a few enrollment dates. In addition, some people are instantly enrolled, while others are not.

Fortunately: The process is easy and pretty structured to maneuver. Here, we break down how you can apply for the different parts of Medicare and when you ought to start.

When to Apply for Medicare?

You don’t have to apply for Medicare if you’re receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). You’ll automatically be enrolled for Medicare parts A and B as your 65th birthday gets closer.

Your Medicare card and enrollment details will be mailed to you 3 to 4 months before your birth month. But if you would like to register in Part D or would want get into a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you can do this during your initial enrollment period (IEP). We’ll describe more about that later on.

You’ll need to apply Medicare (parts A and B) and any extra protection you want if you’re not automatically enrolled. Your enrollment period will depend upon a number of aspects, including your employment status and the coverages you want.

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

For most, Medicare Part A is automatically given. There are a number of circumstances where you might have to sing up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The seven-month period that begins 3 months prior to you turn 65, includes the month of your 65th birthday and ends 3 months later on.

Some situations where you would register in Medicare throughout your initial enrollment consist of:

If you are not receiving retirement benefits:

You can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your IEP if you are not yet receiving retirement benefits and are close to turning 65. If you choose to postpone your SSA benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits after age 65, there is an option to enroll in only Medicare and apply for SSA retirement benefits at a later time.

If you don’t qualify for retirement benefits:

If you can’t get retirement benefits from Social Security…you will not be automatically registered into Original Medicare. Nevertheless, you can still register for Medicare Part A and/or Part B throughout your IEP. You might not have the ability to get premium-free Medicare Part A, and the cost of your regular monthly Part A premium will depend upon on how long you have worked and paid into Medicare taxes. You’ll still have to pay a Medicare Part B premium.

Medicare General Enrollment Period

You can enroll during the General Enrollment Period if you did not enroll during the IEP when you were very first eligible. The general enrollment period for Original Medicare is from 1st of January through 31st of March of each year. Bear in mind that you might have to pay a late enrollment penalty for Medicare if you did not enroll when you were first eligible.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period

If you are already covered by group medical insurance through a company or employer, you may not want to register in Medicare Part B when you are very first eligible. If you lose your employer insurance or if you decide you to change from your group coverage to Medicare…you can register at any time that you are still covered by the group plan or throughout a Special Enrollment Period( SEP).

Your eight-month special enrollment period begins either when the group health coverage ends or when your employment ends, whichever first occurs. If you sign-up throughout an SEP, you technically do not need to pay a late penalty charge.

How to Enroll in Original Medicare?

Before you start the procedure of enrolling in Medicare, you might want to consider what kind of Medicare protection you ultimately need. This will help you a bit to prepare:

1. Find out if you were enrolled automatically in either Parts A or B of Original Medicare.
2.  Review what Medicare Advantage plans are in your area to see if the protection is better for you than original Medicare.
3.  If you choose to stay with Original Medicare, consider apply for a Part D plan and whether a Medicare Supplement would be useful to you.

The SSA provides a list for Medicare applications that might be valuable. It lists the kinds of forms you will need for the enrollment process, including proof of military service, W-2s and tax forms. You can begin the enrollment process when you have everything in order.

You have a several ways to enroll for Original Medicare:

Online. You can visit SocialSecurity.gov to begin registration.

Phone: Call SSA at 800-772-1213 (or 800-325-0718 for TTY), Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM.

In Person. Visit your regional Social Security  office; you can find one through the SSA office locator. 

By mail. Mail it in! You can send a letter to your local Social Security office with your name, your SSN, and the date you would like to first enroll. They will send you required information to fill out in order to apply.

Applying for Medicare Online?

Social Security offers you a quick online application for Medicare that can be finished in less than 10 minutes. You do not have to be receiving SSA benefits to get Medicare. Simply check out the Social Security site and follow the links about getting Medicare.

To request both SSA retirement benefits and Medicare at the same time, visit: https://www.ssa.gov/retire

To apply for only Medicare, see: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

While you wait on your card to arrive to your mailbox, I can help you learn more about Medicare supplemental insurance. You’ll have an idea on the type of coverage you would like for when get your card.

Registering for Medicare online is certainly the simplest, however some people face problems because a few of their information is incorrect in SSA’s system. You can consider enrolling by phone if that happens.

Applying for Medicare by Phone?

Applying for Medicare over the phone is just as easy as online. Contact Social Security at 

1-800-772-1213 (for TTY users, it’s 1-800-325-0778) and tell the agent that you want to apply for Medicare.

Your SSA agent might send you some forms to fill out. Typically these forms are easy. The only thing about phone applications is that they take longer. The forms need to be sent by mail to you, and after you complete them…you mail them back. This can cause hold-ups. Use the phone enrollment if you have a month or more time prior to your intended Medicare effective date.

Finally, there are some individuals who just feel much better enrolling personally. 

Applying for Medicare in Person?

Some people prefer to do the application for Medicare in person at a regional Social Security office. This can be a hassle-free alternative if you are very near to turning 65 and require to get your application processed quickly.

Go To the SSA website to search for the nearest office. Ask for a hard copy which shows that you have applied for Medicare Parts A & B. This form will give you all the details you require to proceed with your Medicare Supplement application and/or Prescription Drug Part D Plan.

More Questions About Applying for Medicare

When to make an application for Medicare?

You are eligible to apply for Medicare at age 65. You should do an application for Medicare at some point within 3 months before your 65th birth month if you choose Medicare as your primary insurance coverage.

When is open enrollment for Medicare?

Your open enrollment for Medicare is based on your birthday. Enroll for Medicare within the enrollment windows to avoid penalties.

When will I get my Medicare card?

In other words– how long does it take to get your Medicare card after your application? You will get your Medicare card about 4 weeks after your application is complete. If you are currently getting SSA benefits before you turn 65, your enrollment into Medicare is automated.

Do You Have to Apply for Medicare Every Year?

Thank goodness, no! Just one Medicare application will suffice.

Your Medicare will renew every year unless you stop paying your premiums. Part D drug plans change from year to year. Review them every year to see if there are any changes.

Applying for Medicare with FREE Assistance!

Still worried about how to enroll for Medicare? Feeling uncertain about your enrollment dates or you just need some guidance.

You don’t have to send your Medicare application alone. I am here to assist you applying for Medicare.

If Medicare will be your main insurance, and you’d like an individual guide to take you from making an application for Medicare all the way through to setting up your Medigap and Part D plans, I am your go-to source for help. My service is totally free, and afterward you will have a Client Service Team for free for the life of your policy.

Get someone on your side– contact Antonio Espino for help today!