Signing Up for Medicare Part A and Part B
This section explains how and when to sign up and if you should wait to get Part B.Some People Get Part A and Part B Automatically
Are you already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)?
If you are, in most cases, you will automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.
Are you under 65 and disabled? If so, you automatically get Medicare Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months.
If you’re automatically enrolled, you will get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of disability.
Important: If you don’t want Part B, follow the instructions that come with the card, and send the card back. If you keep the card, you keep Part B and will pay Part B Premium. See Help deciding if you need to sign up for Part B.
Do you have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease)? If you do, you automatically get Part A and Part B the month your disability benefits begin.
Do you live in Puerto Rico and get benefits from Social Security or the RRB? If so, you will automatically get Part A. If you want Part B, you will need to sign up for it. Contact your local Social Security office or RRB for more information.
Do you have Part A and TRICARE (insurance for active duty military or retirees and their families)? If you do, you must have Part B to keep your TRICARE coverage. See Help deciding if you need to sign up for Part B: TRICARE section.
Some People Need to Sign Up for Medicare Part A and Part B
Are you close to 65, but not getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits? Are you close to 65, but not getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits? If you aren’t getting Social Security or RRB benefits (for example, because you’re still working) and you want Part A or Part B, you will need to sign up (even if you’re eligible to get Part A premium-free). If you’re not eligible for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A and Part B.
Contact Social Security 3 months before you turn 65. If you worked for a railroad, contact the RRB to sign up.
Are you close to 65, but not getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits? Are you close to 65, but not getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits? If you aren’t getting Social Security or RRB benefits (for example, because you’re still working) and you want Part A or Part B, you will need to sign up (even if you’re eligible to get Part A premium-free). If you’re not eligible for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A and Part B.
Contact Social Security 3 months before you turn 65. If you worked for a railroad, contact the RRB to sign up.
Do you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)?
If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and you want Medicare, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B.
Visit your local Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to sign up for Part A and Part B. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. For more information, visit www.medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet "Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services." You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find out if a copy can be mailed to you. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for more information about your Medicare eligibility, and to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. If you’re 65 or older, you can also apply for premium-free Part A and Part B (for which you pay a monthly premium) at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. The whole process can take less than 10 minutes. If you get RRB benefits, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772.
For general information about enrolling, visit www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility. You can also get free, personalized health insurance counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Visit your local Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to sign up for Part A and Part B. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. For more information, visit www.medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet "Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services." You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find out if a copy can be mailed to you. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for more information about your Medicare eligibility, and to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. If you’re 65 or older, you can also apply for premium-free Part A and Part B (for which you pay a monthly premium) at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. The whole process can take less than 10 minutes. If you get RRB benefits, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772.
For general information about enrolling, visit www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility. You can also get free, personalized health insurance counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).