How To Enroll In Medicare
Medicare comes in parts:
- Medicare Part A – Hospital insurance
- Medicare Part B – Routine medical care
- Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plan
- Medicare Part D – Prescription drug plan
Enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B
| If You Are: | Is sign up automatic? | How Do I Sign Up? | When To Sign Up | Start Date |
| getting Social Security Benefits at least 4 months before 65th birthday | Yes | N/A | N/A | If your birthday is on the first day of the month, benefits will start the first day of the prior month. Otherwise, it will start the month of your birthday. |
| Won’t be getting Social Security Benefits at least 4 months before 65th birthday | No | You can apply online at Social Security, Or contact your local Social Security office. | During a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that begins 3 months before you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after you turn 65*. | Contact your Social Security office. |
| Are under 65, and have a disability | Yes | N/A | N/A | After you get Disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months. |
| Have ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease) | Yes | N/A | N/A | The month your disability benefits begin. |
| Have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) | No. Enrolling in Medicare is your choice. | You can apply online at Social Security, Or contact your local Social Security office. | Upon your diagnosis of ESRD. | Contact your Social Security office. |
*Note: Most people should enroll in Part A when they turn 65, but certain people may choose to delay Part B. However, in most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
*You can enroll in Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty if you apply for Medicare and are approved based on ESRD. However, you’ll need both Parts A and B to get the full benefits available.
Enrolling In Medicare Parts C & D
Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C), as well as Medicare Part D, is not automatic. To enroll, you must find and join a Medicare plan that offers prescription drug coverage. Once you choose a Medicare drug plan, you can Enroll on the Medicare Plan Finder, or on the plan’s website, complete a paper enrollment form, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
| If You Are: | When To Sign Up | Start Date |
| Newly eligible because you are turning 65 | If you join: 3 months before 65th birthday65th birthday month3 months after 65th birthday | You will start: The 1st of your 65th birthday month1st of the month after you ask to join1st of the month after you ask to join |
| Newly eligible because you have a disability | During a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that begins 3 months before your 25th month of SSDI, includes your 25th month of SSDI, and ends 3 months after your 25th month of SSDI | Can begin 24 months after Social Security Benefits begin |
| Don’t have Medicare Part A, and Enrolled in Part B during General Enrollment period (January 31-March 31) | Part C: October 15-December 7Part D: April 1-June 30 | The same date as Part A and B |
| Do have Medicare Part A, and Enrolled in Part B during General Enrollment period (January 31-March 31) | Part C: October 15-December 7Part D: April 1-June 30 | 1st of the following month |