How do I enroll in Medicare for the first time?

1. Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.
2. By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
3. In person at your local Social Security office.

1. Step 1: Determine Whether You Need to Sign Up for Medicare. ...
2. Step 2: Signing Up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) ...
3. Step 3: Explore Your Other Medicare Coverage Options. ...
4. Step 4: Be Aware of Other Enrollment Periods. ...
5. Step 5: Sign Up for a MyMedicare.gov Account.

1. your Social Security number.
2. your date and place of birth.
3. your citizenship status.
4. the name and Social Security number of your current spouse and any former spouses.
5. the date and place of any marriages or divorces you've had.

Is it easy to apply for Medicare online?

A: Applying for Medicare online is easy and requires information that you'll likely have on hand. ... During this time, you have the option to sign up for Medicare online. The process is fairly simple and should take 15 minutes or less. Ready to change your Medicare Advantage coverage?

Can I apply for Medicare on the phone?

If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when I turn 65?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. ... Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday.

Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B?

Medicare will enroll you in Part B automatically. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you're not getting disability benefits and Medicare when you turn 65, you'll need to call or visit your local Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Is it mandatory to go on Medicare when you turn 65?

Many people are working past age 65, so how does Medicare fit in? It is mandatory to sign up for Medicare Part A once you enroll in Social Security. The two are permanently linked. However, Medicare Parts B, C, and D are optional and you can delay enrollment if you have creditable coverage.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare?

If you don't have to pay a Part A premium, you generally don't have to pay a Part A late enrollment penalty. The Part A penalty is 10% added to your monthly premium. You generally pay this extra amount for twice the number of years that you were eligible for Part A but not enrolled.

Can you sign up for Medicare anytime?

If a group health plan covers you through your or your spouse's employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B anytime. If your employment or group health plan ends, you have an eight-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and Part B without facing a late enrollment penalty.

What are the 3 enrollment periods for Medicare?

When you turn 65, you have a seven month window to enroll in Medicare. This includes three months before the month you turn 65, your birth month, and three months after the month you turn 65.

Is Medicare Part A free to everyone?

Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium for this coverage. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.

Do I need Medicare Part B if I have employer health insurance?

Summary: You are not required to have Medicare Part B coverage if you have employer coverage. You can drop Medicare Part B coverage and re-enroll in it when you need it. ... You also may choose to defer enrollment in Medicare Part B coverage if you are employed at age 65 or older and eligible for Medicare.

Is Medicare Part A considered health insurance?

If you have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), you're considered covered under the health care law and don't need a Marketplace plan.

Do you have to be on Social Security to get Medicare?

Collecting Social Security is by no means a prerequisite to getting Medicare. In fact, it's often advisable to sign up for Medicare as soon as you're eligible (assuming you don't have other health coverage) but wait on Social Security to avoid a reduction in benefits, or boost them as much as possible.

Does Social Security automatically deduct Medicare?

Yes. In fact, if you are signed up for both Social Security and Medicare Part B — the portion of Medicare that provides standard health insurance — the Social Security Administration will automatically deduct the premium from your monthly benefit.

Can you get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.

Do I have to enroll in Medicare every year?

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, you don't have to renew your coverage. If you enrolled in Medigap or Medicare Advantage, coverage renews until you decide to change.

Do you have to enroll in Medicare Part D every year?

En español | If you like your current Part D drug plan, you can remain with it into the following plan year, which begins Jan. 1. You don't have to reenroll or inform the plan that you're staying. But be aware that all Part D plans can change their costs and coverage every calendar year.

How long does it take to enroll in Medicare Part B?

For those who are not automatically enrolled and need to manually sign up for Medicare, it will take between one and three months for your Medicare coverage to begin, depending on when you sign up.

What is the maximum income to qualify for Medicare?

To qualify, your monthly income cannot be higher than $1,357 for an individual or $1,823 for a married couple. Your resource limits are $7,280 for one person and $10,930 for a married couple. A Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) policy helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.

How long does it take for Medicare to approve a procedure?

Medicare takes approximately 30 days to process each claim. Medicare pays Part A claims (inpatient hospital care, inpatient skilled nursing facility care, skilled home health care and hospice care) directly to the facility or agency that provides the care.