How to Apply for Medicare: Step-by-Step

When and how the process works for Medicare

You can explore for Medicare starting three months before you turn 65. Most people become may be able to access at 65, though some may have access to earlier due to disability or end-stage renal disease. You have seven months total to sign up — three months before your 65th birthday, the month you turn 65, and three months after.

The fastest way to explore is online at Medicare.gov. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to explore over the phone, or visit your local Social Security office in person. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be enrolled automatically, though you should confirm this by checking your Social Security account online or calling Social Security directly.

Have your Social Security number, birth date, citizenship or immigration status, and information about any current health coverage ready before you start. The online process takes about 10 minutes if you have everything on hand.

Key Takeaways

You can begin the process three months before you turn 65, and you have seven months total to sign up without a penalty.
Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local Social Security office are the official places to explore — not insurance brokers or third-party websites.
If you are already getting Social Security, you may be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B automatically, but you should verify this yourself.
Delaying enrollment past your seven-month window can result in a permanent monthly penalty added to your Part B and Part D premiums.

What happens after you explore

Once you submit your process, Social Security or Medicare will review it. This usually takes two to four weeks. You will receive a notice by mail confirming whether you have been enrolled and which parts of Medicare you have (Part A covers hospital care, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services).

Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail within two weeks of approval. Until it arrives, you can view your coverage information online at Medicare.gov by logging into your account. Write down your Medicare number from that online view — you may need it before the physical card reaches you.

Your coverage begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65, or the first day of the month after you are approved, whichever comes later. If you applied before your birthday, your coverage will start on the first of the month you turn 65 even if your card has not arrived yet.

Automatic enrollment and when you might not be enrolled

If you have been receiving Social Security retirement benefits for at least four months before you turn 65, you will be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B automatically. Social Security will mail you information about this enrollment about three months before your 65th birthday. You do not need to do anything unless you want to decline Part B (which you can do, though it may cost you later if you change your mind).

You are not automatically enrolled if you are still working and have health coverage through your employer, or if you are not yet receiving Social Security. In these cases, you must explore yourself during your seven-month enrollment window. If you miss this window and do not have a may have access to reason (such as losing employer coverage), you will face a permanent penalty on your premiums.

If you are unsure whether you have been enrolled, log into your Social Security account at ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask.

Choosing Part D (prescription drug coverage) during enrollment

Part D is optional, but you should make a choice during your initial enrollment period. If you do not sign up for Part D when you first become may be able to access and you go without creditable prescription drug coverage for more than 63 days, you will pay a permanent penalty each month you have Part D coverage later.

You can enroll in a Part D plan through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You will see a list of plans available in your area, each with different drugs covered, different costs, and different pharmacies. Compare plans based on the medications you actually take — the cheapest plan is not always the best one for your needs.

Your Part D enrollment period is the same seven-month window as your Part A and B enrollment. If you miss it, you can only enroll during the general enrollment period (January 1 to March 31 each year), and you will owe the penalty for the months you were uninsured.

Deciding between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

When you enroll, you are automatically placed in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), which is run by the federal government. You can keep this coverage, or you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), which is offered by private insurance companies and usually includes Part D prescription drug coverage.

Original Medicare lets you see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums but require you to use doctors and hospitals in their network, and they usually have higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care.

You have until December 7 of the year you turn 65 to choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare. After that, you can only switch during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year). If you stay in Original Medicare and want to add supplemental coverage (called Medigap), you have a six-month window starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B — after that window, insurers can charge you more or deny you coverage based on your health.

What to do if you miss the enrollment important date

If you pass your seven-month enrollment window without signing up, you can still enroll, but you will owe a penalty. For Part B, the penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full year you were not enrolled. For Part D, the penalty is 1 percent of the national average plan premium for each month you were uninsured. These penalties are permanent — they stay on your bill for as long as you have Medicare.

There are a few exceptions. If you had health coverage through an employer while you were working, or if your spouse was working and you were covered under their plan, you may not owe a penalty. You will need to show proof of that coverage (a letter from your employer or insurance company stating the dates you were covered). Contact Social Security or Medicare to explain your situation and ask whether the penalty can be waived.

Even if you owe a penalty, you should still enroll. You can enroll during the general enrollment period (January 1 to March 31) or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE anytime. The sooner you enroll, the sooner your coverage begins and the sooner you stop the penalty from growing.

Documents and information you will need

Before you start your process, gather these items: your Social Security number, your birth date, your citizenship status or immigration document number, and information about any current health insurance (employer coverage, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, or other coverage). If you are explore in person at a Social Security office, bring a photo ID and your original Social Security card or a document showing your number.

If you are explore online, you can upload documents or straightforward type in the information. If you are calling, have everything written down so you can read it to the representative. You do not need to mail anything unless Social Security or Medicare asks you to verify information later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes. You can start the process three months before your 65th birthday. If you are disabled or have end-stage renal disease, you may be may be able to access before 65 — contact Social Security to find out. You cannot explore more than three months early.

What if I am still working at 65?

You should still enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) at 65, even if you have employer coverage. Part A is usually free if you have paid Medicare taxes for 10 years. You can delay Part B if your employer coverage is active, but you must enroll in Part B within eight months of losing that coverage to avoid a penalty.

Do I have to choose a plan right away, or can I wait?

You should make choices during your enrollment period to avoid penalties. For Part A and B, you have seven months. For Part D, you also have seven months. For Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare, you have until December 7 of the year you turn 65. After these windows close, you can still enroll, but penalties may explore.

What if I am on Medicaid — do I still need to explore for Medicare?

Yes. Medicaid and Medicare are separate programs. At 65, you should enroll in Medicare. Medicaid will then pay some of your Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Contact your state Medicaid office to let them know you have enrolled in Medicare so they can coordinate your coverage.

Can someone help me explore if I do not feel comfortable doing it myself?

Yes. You can call 1-800-MEDICARE and speak to a representative who will walk you through the process over the phone. You can also visit your local Social Security office and explore in person. Some Area Agencies on Aging offer free help with Medicare enrollment — search "Area Agency on Aging" plus your city name to find one near you.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.