When and How to Sign Up For Medicare

Learning Medicare >  When and How To Sign Up For Medicare

Key Takeaways

  • If you are receiving Social Security Benefits at least 4 months before your 65th birthday month you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. and you’ll receive your ID card in the mail.
  • The best time to apply for Medicare is during your Initial Enrollment Period (turning 65) unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (if you delayed enrollment).
  • You can apply for Medicare online, by phone, or in person at Social Security, or give us a call and we will happily complete your enrollment over the phone.
  • There are three enrollment periods for you to apply for Medicare: The Initial Enrollment Period, a Special Enrollment Period, and the General Enrollment Period.
  • If you are covered by creditable employer insurance past 65, you can delay Medicare and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Navigating the Medicare enrollment process may seem daunting, but thats why advocates like us are here to make this easy for you! Each year, we guide thousands of individuals through the steps to apply for Medicare. Below, we outline everything you need to know to streamline your Medicare enrollment.

The Social Security Administration oversees Medicare eligibility and handles applications for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (outpatient medical insurance). They provide multiple options for applying, allowing you to select the method that best suits your needs. If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility, you can begin the application process as early as three months before turning 65. Starting early ensures you’ll receive your new Medicare card well before your coverage begins.

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period is the best time for enrolling in both Part A and Part B, as well as your opportunity to sign up for Medicare Part D. Since Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs, you’ll need to purchase Part D separately from an insurance company. Unlike Parts A and B, you won’t enroll in Part D through Social Security.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into when to apply for Medicare and how to complete your Medicare application.

When to Apply for Medicare

Possibly one of the most confusing things about Medicare are all the enrollment periods and determining when to enroll. As confusing as this may be, its also critically important to ensure you aren’t missing an enrollment period which could cause you to be without coverage, or you could even be subject to late enrollment penalties.

Today we’re going to list all the Medicare enrollment periods you should be aware of. You may not need to utilize all of them, but you should know a little about each one so you can take advantage of them if need be. Note, there’s a exhaustive list of possibilities of “when to enroll”. This is a general overview, but one of our experts will help you determine the absolute best time to enroll if you’re unsure.

If you’re already receiving Social Security income benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B upon turning 65. Your Medicare card should arrive approximately 1-2 months before your 65th birthday. This timeline also applies to individuals who qualify for early enrollment due to disability. However, automatic enrollment for Part B benefits doesn’t apply if you reside in Puerto Rico, necessitating a separate application for Part B even if you’re receiving Social Security benefits before turning 65.

If you haven’t begun receiving retirement benefits, you’ll need to initiate the Medicare application process yourself. The government assumes individuals are aware of when to enroll in Medicare. Let’s delve into the timeline and procedures for applying.             

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare Parts A, B, and D last a total of 7 months. It begins 3 months before your 65th birth month, your birth month itself, and runs for 3 months after your birth month. Enrolling in Medicare during your IEP means that you will have no late penalties. There are also no pre-existing condition waiting periods.

For example, if your birthday is on July 2, your IEP runs from April 1 through October 31. As long as you enroll before your birthday month, coverage can begin as early as the first day of the month you turn 65. In this case, your Medicare would take effect on July 1.

This happens with one exception. If your birthday falls on the first day of the month, your IEP begins one month earlier. For instance, if your birthday were on July 1 instead, your IEP would begin on March 1. In addition, your effective date will be bumped to June 1.

During your IEP, you can enroll in Part A, Part B, Part D, as well as any other coverage you may want. This might include a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.

It’s important to plan ahead for your IEP. Missing this Medicare enrollment period might cause you to have a lapse in coverage, and it’s likely you’ll owe late enrollment penalties. The only way to avoid this is to have other creditable coverage in place.

 

If Medicare Will Be Your Primary or Only Coverage

If Medicare will be your primary or only coverage, then you need to enroll in Medicare during your IEP, then select a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan. Your coverage will begin the 1st of the following month you enroll, but it will not start before your 65th birthday. 

For example, if your birth month is March, and you enroll in January, your coverage will not begin until the 1st of March. Keep this in mind when leaving other insurance to ensure there are no gaps in coverage. 

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you happen to miss your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period which is January 1st through March 31st to apply for Medicare. This could leave you without health insurance for months which is scary in itself!

In addition to possible gaps in coverage, you’ll also be subject to a late enrollment penalty of 10% of the Part B premium for every 12 month period you didn’t enroll when eligible. 

Your coverage will begin the month after your enrollment. For example, if you use the GEP to enroll in Medicare and submit your applications in February, your coverage will begin in March. This is a recent change to the Medicare program after the enactment of the BENES Act. In years past, coverage didn’t start until July 1 regardless when you put in your application.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Special Enrollment Periods or SEP are reserved for significant life changes as defined by Medicare. Going through one of these changes will qualify you for an SEP with Medicare, and what you can do during that SEP depends on the circumstance. A SEP will allow you to enroll at anytime of the year when the SEP is active, but each specific SEP has its own guidelines as to how long the period lasts. Some are 2 months long, and some are 8 months long, such as the Part B SEP.

Common events that allow for an SEP include getting married or divorced, losing a spouse, losing income, or moving to a new service area. The most common reason people qualify for an SEP is when they continue to work past the age of 65 and are enrolled in creditable insurance, and then retire or lose that coverage. This would qualify you for a SEP and then you can enroll into Medicare with no penalties or loss of options.

The second most common reason you’d qualify for an SEP is if you move out of your current plan’s service area. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans operate in service areas using provider networks. If you move outside the area, you’ll have two months to look for a plan in your new location.

There are many reasons you might be able to utilize an SEP, and it doesn’t hurt to ask. Your insurance advocate at Medicare Savings Group will help you determine if you qualify for a SEP.

How to Apply for Medicare

There are several ways to apply for Original Medicare (Part A and B) so you will likely find one option that best fits your schedule. You can apply online, over the phone, or in person. 

APPLYING ONLINE

Social Security offers you a quick online application for Medicare that can be completed in about 20 minutes  You do not have to be receiving income benefits to get Medicare. Just visit the Social Security website, create a MySSA account, and follow the directions about applying for Medicare.

To apply for both SS retirement benefits and Medicare at the same time, visit this link: https://www.ssa.gov/apply

To apply for only Medicare, visit this link: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up

While you wait for Social Security to process your request, our friendly agents can help you learn about your Medicare insurance options. We’ll provide you with resources and make sure your coverage is ready to go so you can get back to the fun things in life!

Enrolling in Medicare online is the easiest, but many people run into problems because some of their data is incorrect in Social Security’s system. If that happens, you can consider signing up by phone. Let’s take a look at that next.

APPLYING OVER THE PHONE

Applying for Medicare by phone is just as easy as applying for Medicare online, except the wait times can be horrendous. Typically you can expect minimum one hour wait times. Also, applying over the phone can take longer because they will mail forms to you by mail, then you send them back for processing.

Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. and tell the representative that you wish to apply for Medicare. Social Security will schedule a telephone appointment with you to take your application over the phone if they are too busy when you call. 

There are some people who like to do things in person, so we will now go over how to apply in person.

APPLYING IN PERSON

If you’re very close to turning 65, or just like to do things in person, this one is for you. 

Visit the Social Security website to search for the nearest office in your state. When you meet with a agent, ask for a printout that shows that you have applied for Medicare Part A & B. This form will give you all the information you need to move forward with your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and/or Part D prescription drug plan application.

Visit this link to find a SS Office near you: https://www.ssa.gov/locator/

You can also ask the agent about your Medicare costs, including if you might owe any Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount surcharges, and your payment options. For example, if you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you can pay a direct quarterly bill or you can pay online monthly

If you need help with enrolling, give us a call!

We help thousands of people every year to enroll in Original Medicare and all of the subsequent insurances needed. Please give us a call if you want us to guide you through enrolling in Original Medicare, or if you need us to do it for you. Either way, we have your back!

To get our FREE expert assistance, call us at 717-942-8788 or click below to book an appointment!

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Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, you can expect to receive your Medicare card about 3-4 weeks after you apply. 

If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, your card will automatically show up about 2-3 months before you turn 65. 

No, you only need one initial application for Original Medicare (Part A and B) and that’s it, unless you ever fail to pay your premiums and your coverage lapses then you’d need to apply again. Don’t let that happen!

 

 

Your open enrollment for Medicare is based on your birthday. It’s a seven-month enrollment window that begins 3 months before your 65th birth month, your birth month, and 3 months after your birth month.  Register for Medicare within this window to avoid penalties. 

You can also enroll if you have a Special Enrollment Period. To see all of the Special Enrollment Periods, visit this link: Medicare Speical Enrollment Periods

Possibly. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits for at least 3 months before your 65th birthday, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare. 

If not, then you’ll have to manually enroll.