Medicare Enrollment

Enrollment Resources

Toll-free number: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
TTY number: 1-877-486-2048

Where to apply for Medicare online or by telephone

Steps towards Enrolling into Medicare

Many people are confused about the steps to take towards getting Medicare when they become medicare eligible. An individual may be eligible for Medicare based on either disability or age. Your circumstances will dictate when and how you get Medicare.

Individuals who are already receiving Social Security will be automaically enrolled into both parts of Medicare. The medicare hospital benefit is called Part A and the outpatient doctor benefit is called Part B. Your effective date will be the first of the month of your birthday month. However, if your birthday is on the 1st of the month, your Medicare will become effective on the 1st of the prior month. If you are within three months of age 65 and have not received any information from Medicare, consider the information below and contact the Social Security Administration as appropriate.

Things to consider before enrolling in Medicare Part B outpatient coverage.

1. Are you or a spouse continuing to work for a company that offers you group insurance and does the company have 20 or more employees? If so, then you may want to hold off on getting part B Medicare until you are ready to leave the company group insurance plan. You should verify your status with your benefits department. It is still a good idea to apply for Part A.

2. If you or a spouse are on a group plan that has less than 20 employees then you may want to enroll in Part B of Medicare as soon as you are eligible.

Medicare late enrollment penalties

If you are eligible for both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, choose not to enroll in Part B, and you have no other qualifying health plan such as a group insurance plan through an employer or employer of a spouse, then you could be charged a higher Part B premium than someone who signed up when first eligible. The Part B penalty is 10% for every year you delay and you will pay this penalty for the rest of your life. Go here to learn more about the Part B penalty.

How to enroll in Medicare

1. You may enroll into Medicare directly by going online here:

2. You can also apply:

By phone - Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call Social Security at TTY 1-800-325-0778.

In person - Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

Medicare Enrollment - Allboc