How To Sign Up For Medicare

Step-by-step Guide To Medicare Enrollment

Step 1: Determine Whether You Need To Sign Up For Medicare

Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

Automatic Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment occurs when:

1. You are currently receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits and have been doing so for at least four months prior to turning age 65.
2. You are under age 65 and have been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for at least 24 months.

In these cases you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare and no further action is necessary.

Note: Original Medicare Part A and Part B only pay 80% of the bill

You can purchase either a Medigap supplement insurance policy to help cover the other 20% or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Step 2: Signing up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)

If you are not automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), there are a few ways that you can do so.

1. Go to the Social Security Administration's website and fill out the online application.
2. Call the national Social Security hotline at 1-800-772-1213
3. Visit your local Social Security Office to apply. You can locate an office near you using Social Security Administration's office locator tool.
4. If you worked for the railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

If you have to use one of the enrollment options above, the best time to do so is during your Initial Enrollment Period which is a seven-month window starts three months before the 1st day of the month of your birthday, includes your birthday month, and includes 3 months after your birthday month.

Once you enroll in Original Medicare using one of the options above, you will receive a welcome packet along with your Medicare card from CMS.
If you signed up on your own, the packet should arrive approximately two weeks after you sign up.
You will also receive the "Medicare & You" handbook that contains important information about your Original Medicare coverage.

Delaying Medicare Part B

Enrollment in Part A should occur before your 65th birthday when you are first eligible, but you may choose to delay enrollment in Part B.

Group insurance - If you have insurance through work - or through your spouse's employer - you may be able to waive Part B until you no longer have that coverage.

Once you stop working or coverage through your spouse ends, you must sign up for Part B within eight monthsto avoid a late enrollment penalty.

Signing Up for Part B by Mail After Employer Health Insurance Ends

1. Print out and complete CMS 40B Form Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B.
2. Provide proof of employment or group health coverage on your 40B form.
3. Print out and complete Section A of CMS L564 Form - Request for Employment Information.
4. Have your employer complete section B of CMS L564.
5. Mail both forms to your local Social Security office, or fax your enrollment forms and evidence of employment to 1-833-914-2016.

Step 3: Understanding Your Other Medicare Coverage Options

After you are enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you can consider additional coverage options.

You can:

- Stay with just Original Medicare Part A and Part B
- Purhcase a Medigap supplement insurance policy in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B
- Purchase a Part D prescription drug plan
- Switch to Medicare Advantage plan - Part C - which will replace Original Medicare Part A and Part

You can apply for all any of these benefits online using the Medicare Plan Finder tool.

Step 4: Understand other Medicare Enrollment Periods

Most Medicare beneficiaries enroll in Medicare during their Initial Enrollment time period. But what if you miss your initial enrollment window, want to make changes or add aditional coverage?

There are certain times of the year during which you can do this.

Alternate Medicare Enrollment Periods

1. Medicare Open Enrollment - Oct. 15to Dec. 7, Medicare participants can make changes to their coverage. During this time you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change your Medicare plan, sign up for a Part D prescription drug plan, and change or drop your current Part D plan.
2. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment - If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can change it between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31 each year.
3. Medicare General Enrollment - If you didn't sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment, you can sign up for it between Jan. 1and Mar. 31. Once your enrollment is complete your coverage will start on July 1.
4. Medicare Special Enrollment - There are a number of qualifying life events that will allow you to make changes to your Medicare coverage. If you qualify for one of the listed life changes, then you will have an opportunity to make a change to your Medicare enrollment. Each special enrollment situation is different so be sure to check the special enrollment section on Medicare's website.

Step 5: Creating Your Own MyMedicare.gov Account

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can create your very own MyMedicare.gov account to manage your coverage.

With your MyMedicare.gov account, you can:

- Check the status of your enrollment.
- Get detailed information about your plans and their coverages.
- Update your personal information.
- Enter your health records and prescription drugs.
- View your Medicare claims.
- View and print replacement Medicare cards.
- Share information with your providers.

How to Sign Up for an account on MyMedicare.gov

1. Go to the Create An Account page.
2. Have your Medicare number ready along with your Part A effective start date.
3. Fill out the required information on the page.
4. Follow the instructions and confirm your new account.

Signing Up for a Medicare Part D Plan (Prescription Drug)

Anyone enrolled in Medicare Part B and Part A is entitled to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug coverage plan.
Drug coverage can be obtained either through a Medicare Part D plan or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.
In both cases you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
You can locate and compare Medicare Part D plans on the Medicare.gov website.

How To Sign Up for a Medicare Part D Plan

1. Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
2. Go to Medicare.gov and use the Medicare Plan Finder.
3. Contact the insurance company that offers the Part D plan and enroll directly with that company.
4. Request and fill out a paper application from the insurance company.

In order to sign up for a Part D plan you'll need your Medicare number, Part A and Part B coverage effective dates, and basic personal information.

Signing Up for a Medicare Advantage Plan

If you would rather get your health coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan, you first need to make sure you are enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans must offer the same benefits as Original Medicare at a minimum, but some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits like prescription drug, dental and vision.
Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits.

How To Sign Up for a Medicare Advantage Plan

In order to sign up for a Part D plan you'll need your Medicare number, Part A and Part B coverage effective dates, and basic personal information.

Signing Up for a Medigap Supplement Insurance Policy

Medicare Supplement or "Medi-Gap" Insurance policies are supplemental insurance policies that help cover what Original Medicare doesn't. These insurance policies are purchased through private insurance companies.
Medigap policies are not required if you are enrolled in Original Medicare, but they can help pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Medicare.

You can enroll in a Medigap policy during your initial enrollment window or during the Medicare Open Enrollment window which is six months long.
If you decide to enroll in a Medigap policy after the six-month window, you may be subject to health underwriting rules.

How To Sign Up for a Medigap Policy

1. Go the Medicare's online Medigap finder tool.
2. Enter your zip code.
3. For more accurate pricing enter your age, gender and tobacco use.
4. Review the costs, coverage and pricing information of each Medigap plan available to you. 5. Apply for the Medigap policy of your choice with the individual insurance company.