How to Apply for Medicare
Applying for Medicare is simpler than most people expect — but the timing, the method, and what you apply for all matter. Getting it right the first time protects you from permanent late enrollment penalties and ensures your coverage starts exactly when you need it. Here is a complete, step-by-step guide to applying for Medicare in Texas.
Before You Apply — Two Questions to Answer First
Before you sit down to apply for Medicare, two questions determine everything about your enrollment strategy. Answering them correctly protects you from permanent late enrollment penalties and ensures you do not pay for coverage you do not need yet.
Question 1 — Are You Already Receiving Social Security Benefits?
If you are already collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits when you turn 65, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail approximately three months before your 65th birthday. You do not need to apply — it happens automatically. However, you still need to decide whether to keep Part B, enroll in a Part D drug plan, and choose supplemental coverage.
Question 2 — Are You Still Working With Qualifying Employer Coverage?
If you are still working at age 65 and covered by a group health plan through an employer with 20 or more employees — either your own or a spouse’s — you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. In that case, you would apply for Part B when that employer coverage ends, using a Special Enrollment Period. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare must be primary at 65 and you need to apply on time regardless.
📌 The golden rule: If you are not automatically enrolled and do not have qualifying employer coverage that allows you to delay — apply for Medicare during the three months before the month you turn 65. This ensures your coverage starts on your birthday with no gaps and no penalties.
Three Ways to Apply for Medicare
Apply Online at SSA.gov
The fastest and most convenient way to apply for Medicare Parts A and B is online through the Social Security Administration website at SSA.gov. The online application takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and can be done from anywhere — at home, at any time of day.
How to apply online:
Go to SSA.gov and select “Apply for Medicare Only” — or “Apply for Retirement and Medicare” if you are also applying for Social Security at the same time. You will be asked to create a My Social Security account if you do not already have one. The application walks you through each step and allows you to choose your coverage start date.
Best for: Most people turning 65 who are comfortable online and want the quickest enrollment process. The confirmation arrives by mail within a few weeks.
Apply by Phone — Call Social Security
You can apply for Medicare by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A Social Security representative will walk you through the application over the phone. This option is ideal for people who prefer speaking with someone directly or who are not comfortable completing an online application.
Wait times can be long during busy periods — call early in the morning or later in the afternoon for shorter waits. Have your personal information ready before you call to make the process as smooth as possible.
Best for: People who prefer phone interactions or want to ask questions during the application process.
Apply In Person at Your Local Social Security Office
You can also apply for Medicare in person at your local Social Security Administration office. In the Rio Grande Valley, Social Security offices are located in Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, and Edinburg. In-person appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-772-1213.
In-person applications are a good option if you have a complex situation — such as a foreign work history, questions about your Medicare eligibility, or situations involving a deceased spouse’s work record. Having a staff member guide you through the process in person can prevent errors and delays.
Rio Grande Valley Social Security Offices:
- Brownsville: 1763 Boca Chica Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78521
- Harlingen: 1901 S 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen, TX 78550
- McAllen: 4101 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504
- Edinburg: 313 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78541
Best for: People with complex situations, non-citizens, or those who simply prefer handling important paperwork face to face.
What to Have Ready Before You Apply
Gathering the right documents before you apply makes the process significantly smoother. Here is what you will typically need:
🪪 Proof of Identity
Your Social Security card or number. Your birth certificate or other proof of age — passport, driver’s license, or state ID.
🇺🇸 Citizenship or Residency
Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency status if you were not born in the U.S. Your green card or naturalization certificate.
💼 Work History
W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns from the past two years — particularly important if you are applying for Social Security at the same time.
🏥 Current Insurance
Information about any current health coverage — policy number, employer name, and coverage dates. This is especially important if you are delaying Part B due to employer coverage.
👫 Spouse Information
Your spouse’s name, Social Security number, and dates of marriage and/or divorce if you are applying for benefits based on a spouse’s work record.
🏦 Bank Information
Your bank account and routing number if you want Medicare premiums deducted automatically from a bank account rather than from Social Security.
Applying for Medicare — Step by Step
Determine Your Enrollment Window
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) opens three months before the month you turn 65. If your birthday is in June, your IEP opens March 1. To get coverage starting on your birthday month, you need to apply during those first three months — March, April, or May in this example.
If you are delaying Medicare due to qualifying employer coverage, your enrollment window is different — you apply during your Special Enrollment Period, which opens when your employer coverage ends.
Decide What to Apply For
Decide whether you are applying for Part A only, or Parts A and B together:
- Part A only: If you are still working at a large employer and want premium-free Part A now while delaying Part B
- Parts A and B together: If you are retiring, have no qualifying employer coverage, or work for a small employer — enroll in both at the same time
If you have an active Health Savings Account (HSA) and want to keep contributing, delay both Part A and Part B until you stop contributing to avoid IRS penalties on excess HSA contributions.
Submit Your Application
Apply online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The application itself is straightforward — most people complete it in 10 to 20 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number or receipt immediately after submitting online or by phone.
If applying online, print or save your confirmation screen. If applying by phone or in person, write down your confirmation number and the name of the representative who assisted you.
Wait for Your Medicare Card
After your application is processed, Social Security mails your Medicare card to the address on file. The card typically arrives within two to four weeks of your application being approved. Your Medicare number is a unique combination of letters and numbers — different from your Social Security number — and you will use it when receiving care and enrolling in supplemental plans.
If your card does not arrive within four weeks of your expected start date, call Social Security to check the status of your application. Do not wait until you need care to discover your card has not arrived.
Choose Your Supplemental Coverage
Having Parts A and B active is just the beginning. Original Medicare alone leaves significant gaps — a 20% coinsurance with no out-of-pocket maximum under Part B, and a $1,676 hospital deductible per benefit period. Most people add one of the following to complete their coverage:
- Medicare Advantage plan — replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that bundles A, B, and usually D, often with $0 premium and extra benefits
- Medigap plan + Part D — supplements Original Medicare to cover most remaining cost-sharing, plus a standalone drug plan
Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you are both 65 and enrolled in Part B — this is your only guaranteed window to buy any Medigap plan without medical underwriting in Texas. Do not let it close before making a decision.
Enroll in a Part D Drug Plan
Whether you choose Original Medicare plus Medigap or Medicare Advantage, make sure prescription drug coverage is part of your plan. Medicare Advantage plans usually include Part D. If you choose Original Medicare plus Medigap, enroll in a standalone Part D plan during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid a permanent late enrollment penalty.
Compare Part D plans using Medicare’s Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov — enter your specific medications and preferred pharmacy to see which plan covers your drugs at the lowest total annual cost.
Check for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs
Before finalizing your Medicare coverage, check whether you qualify for programs that can reduce your costs. The Medicare Savings Program in Texas can help pay Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for qualifying beneficiaries. The Extra Help program can significantly reduce Part D drug costs. A local Medicare advisor can check your eligibility and help you apply at no cost.
After You Apply — Important Next Steps
| Task | When to Do It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm your Medicare card arrived | 2–4 weeks after applying | You need your Medicare number to enroll in supplemental plans and receive care. |
| Choose Medigap or Medicare Advantage | Before your Part B start date | Your Medigap Open Enrollment window starts with Part B — do not let it pass without a decision. |
| Enroll in Part D | Same time as supplemental coverage | Avoid the permanent Part D late enrollment penalty by enrolling during your IEP. |
| Notify your doctors of new insurance | Before your first appointment after coverage starts | Providers need your new Medicare and supplemental plan information to bill correctly. |
| Update your pharmacy | Before your next prescription fill | Your pharmacy needs your new Part D plan information to process claims correctly. |
| Cancel your old coverage | When Medicare begins | Avoid paying for duplicate coverage. Notify your previous insurer of your Medicare start date. |
| Review your plan every October | Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year | Medicare Advantage and Part D plans change annually. An annual review keeps you in the right plan. |
Common Medicare Application Mistakes to Avoid
Missing your Initial Enrollment Period without qualifying employer coverage results in a permanent 10% per year late penalty on Part B and a 1% per month late penalty on Part D — both added to your premiums for life. Set a calendar reminder three months before your 65th birthday to begin the enrollment process.
COBRA coverage does not count as qualifying employer coverage for the purpose of delaying Medicare. If you turn 65 on COBRA, you must apply for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period or face permanent penalties. This is one of the most common and most expensive Medicare mistakes people make.
Many people apply for Parts A and B and forget that prescription drug coverage is separate. If you are going with Original Medicare plus Medigap, you need to also enroll in a standalone Part D plan during your IEP. Skipping it results in a permanent penalty the moment you do eventually enroll.
Applying for Medicare Parts A and B and then doing nothing else leaves you with significant financial exposure — a 20% coinsurance with no cap and a $1,676 hospital deductible. Always complete the picture with either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap plan plus Part D before your coverage begins.
Need Help Applying for Medicare or Choosing Your Coverage?
Applying for Medicare Parts A and B is just the beginning. Choosing the right supplemental coverage — Medicare Advantage or Medigap — and the right Part D plan are equally important decisions that affect your costs and your care for years to come. I help families across Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, and the entire Rio Grande Valley navigate every step of the Medicare application and enrollment process — free of charge, in English or Spanish, with no pressure and no obligation.
☎ Call or text: 956-455-1313
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