How to Sign Up for Medicare: When, Where, and What to Do Next
If you're approaching age 65, you may be wondering: When do I sign up for Medicare? Where do I enroll? Do I automatically get Medicare? And what am I supposed to do after I enroll?
You're not alone. Medicare can seem complicated at first, but understanding a few important dates and steps can make the process much easier.
Here's a simple guide to getting started with Medicare and understanding your options after enrollment.
When Can I Sign Up for Medicare?
For most people, Medicare eligibility begins at age 65.
Your first opportunity to enroll is called your Initial Enrollment Period. This enrollment window lasts for seven months:
3 months before the month you turn 65
The month you turn 65
3 months after the month you turn 65
For example, if your 65th birthday is in July, your Initial Enrollment Period generally runs from April through October.
Signing up before your birthday month can help make sure your Medicare coverage begins when you expect it to. If you wait until your birthday month or later, your Part B coverage will generally begin the following month.
Do I Have to Sign Up for Medicare, or Is It Automatic?
That depends largely on whether you're already receiving Social Security benefits.
If you're receiving Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65, Medicare generally enrolls you automatically in Medicare Part A and Part B. Your Medicare welcome package and card are typically mailed about three months before your coverage begins.
If you're not yet collecting Social Security, you generally need to sign up for Medicare yourself.
This catches some people by surprise because Medicare enrollment and Social Security retirement benefits do not necessarily have to begin at the same time.
Where Do I Sign Up for Medicare?
Although Medicare is administered by the federal government, enrollment in Medicare Part A and Part B is generally handled through the Social Security Administration.
The easiest option for many people is to apply online through Social Security.
When enrolling, you may need information such as:
Your Social Security number
Birth information
Information about current health insurance
Dates of employer-sponsored health coverage
Your existing Medicare number if you're applying for Part B after already receiving Part A
Social Security allows eligible individuals age 65 or older to apply online for Part A and Part B or Part A only.
What Are Medicare Part A and Part B?
Understanding the different parts of Medicare is important before choosing additional coverage.
Medicare Part A is primarily hospital insurance. It can help cover inpatient hospital care, certain skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and some home health care.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It generally helps cover services such as doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services and certain medical equipment.
Together, Part A and Part B are commonly referred to as Original Medicare.
But enrolling in Original Medicare is only the beginning of the decision-making process for many people.
What If I'm Still Working at Age 65?
This is where Medicare enrollment can get more complicated.
If you or your spouse are still working and you have health insurance through an employer, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without a late-enrollment penalty.
However, the rules depend on the type of employer coverage you have.
After qualifying employer coverage or employment ends, you may have a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare. In many circumstances, the Special Enrollment Period for Part B lasts for eight months after you or your spouse stops working or the qualifying employer coverage ends. COBRA does not extend that eight-month Medicare enrollment window.
Because everyone's employment and insurance situation is different, don't automatically assume you should delay Medicare just because you're still working.
What Happens If I Miss My Medicare Enrollment Period?
Missing your Medicare enrollment deadline can potentially result in a gap in coverage and, depending on your circumstances, a late-enrollment penalty.
If you don't qualify for another enrollment opportunity, Medicare's General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage generally begins the month after you enroll.
This is one reason it's a good idea to start researching Medicare several months before turning 65 rather than waiting until your birthday.
What Should I Do After I Enroll in Medicare?
Once you're enrolled, you have another important decision to make:
How do you want to receive your Medicare coverage?
There are two primary approaches:
Original Medicare
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A and Part B.
People with Original Medicare may also choose a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and may consider purchasing Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly called Medigap, to help with certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicare Advantage
Another option is a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare and provide your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through the plan.
Depending on the specific plan, Medicare Advantage plans may also include additional benefits or services, and many plans include prescription drug coverage.
You must generally have both Medicare Part A and Part B before joining a Medicare Advantage plan.
When Can I Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
When you're first becoming eligible for Medicare, you generally have an opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your initial Medicare enrollment period.
There is also an annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7.
During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can generally:
Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
Change Medicare Advantage plans
Join, change or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage
Changes made during this annual enrollment period generally become effective January 1 of the following year.
There is also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31 for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. During this period, they may be able to switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
Certain life events may also create a Special Enrollment Period.
How Do I Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan?
This is where comparing plans becomes important.
Medicare Advantage plans can vary based on location, insurance company and plan.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, consider factors such as:
Whether your doctors participate in the plan's network
Whether your preferred hospitals are in-network
Prescription drug coverage
Your specific medications
Premiums
Deductibles
Copayments and coinsurance
Maximum out-of-pocket limits
Dental, vision or hearing benefits that may be offered
Provider network restrictions
Travel and out-of-area coverage
A plan that works well for your neighbor isn't necessarily the plan that's best for you.
We Can Help You Understand Your Medicare Advantage Options
At Strategic Investment Services, we help individuals approaching Medicare eligibility understand their options and evaluate available Medicare Advantage plans.
If you're approaching age 65, retiring, losing employer health coverage or simply trying to understand your current Medicare coverage, we can help walk you through the process and explain the choices available to you.
Our goal isn't to make Medicare more complicated.
It's to help you understand what you're choosing and why.
If you're nearing Medicare eligibility, you don't have to wait until your 65th birthday to begin planning. Starting the conversation several months ahead of time can give you more time to understand Medicare, compare your options and avoid last-minute decisions.
Have questions about Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans? Contact Strategic Investment Services to speak with us about your options.
Important Medicare Disclosure
Strategic Investment Services is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, Medicare, or the Social Security Administration. Medicare plan availability, benefits, provider networks, premiums and costs vary by plan and location. For official Medicare information, visit Medicare.gov or contact 1-800-MEDICARE.