How to Know If You Have Medicare Coverage

How to check if you have Medicare right now

You have Medicare if you are 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived in the country for at least five years. You may also have it if you are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years, or if you have end-stage renal disease or ALS. The fastest way to know for certain is to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask whether Medicare is active on your account.

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability payments, Medicare was likely enrolled automatically when you turned 65 or after you may have access to. You should have received a Medicare card in the mail. If you cannot find it, you can view your coverage online through your Medicare account at Medicare.gov by signing in with your Social Security number.

If you turned 65 but did not sign up for Social Security yet, you may not have Medicare. Social Security and Medicare are separate — turning 65 does not automatically enroll you in Medicare unless you also claim retirement benefits. You will need to contact Social Security to enroll.

Key Takeaways

You have Medicare automatically at 65 if you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability payments, and your card should have arrived in the mail.
If you turned 65 but have not claimed Social Security, you do not automatically have Medicare and must enroll separately.
You can confirm your Medicare status by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or by logging into your account at Medicare.gov.
If you lost your Medicare card, you can request a replacement through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

What your Medicare card looks like and where to find it

Your Medicare card is a plastic card about the size of a credit card with your name, Medicare number, and the dates your coverage began. The card shows which parts of Medicare you have — usually Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you signed up for Part D (prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Advantage plan, those are not shown on the card itself but are recorded in your Medicare account.

Check your mail from the past few months, including junk mail and envelopes that look like bills. Medicare cards often arrive in plain white envelopes. If you moved recently, the card may have gone to an old address. If you cannot locate it after checking thoroughly, you do not need the physical card to use your coverage — your Medicare number is what matters, and you can find that number online.

How to access your Medicare information online

Go to Medicare.gov and click "Sign In" in the upper right corner. You will be asked to sign in with your Social Security number, email address, and password. If you do not have a Medicare.gov account yet, you can create one by clicking "Create Account" on the same page.

Once you are signed in, you will see a dashboard showing your coverage details: which parts of Medicare you have, your deductibles, and your out-of-pocket costs so far this year. You can also read a replacement Medicare card from this page if you need one. The replacement usually arrives by mail within two weeks.

If you have trouble signing in or do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Medicare will send you a link to reset it. If you do not have email access or prefer to work with a person, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE instead.

What to do if you think you should have Medicare but cannot find proof

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you are trying to confirm your Medicare status. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you when ready whether Medicare is active on your account and which parts you have. If Medicare is active, they can also tell you when your card was mailed and to which address.

If the card was sent to an old address, Social Security can request a replacement to your current address. If you have moved multiple times, this is the fastest way to get a new card sent to the right place. The replacement card takes about two weeks to arrive.

If Social Security tells you that you do not have Medicare but you believe you should, ask them which requirement you may not have met. For example, if you are 65 but have not claimed retirement benefits, they will explain what you need to do to enroll. If you are under 65 and receiving SSDI, they can tell you whether the two-year waiting period has passed.

When Medicare starts if you are turning 65 soon

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, Medicare Part A and Part B start automatically the month you turn 65. You do not need to do anything. Your Medicare card should arrive about two weeks before your birthday.

If you are not yet receiving Social Security but plan to claim it at 65, you should enroll in Medicare at the same time. You can do this online at Social Security.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Enroll during your birthday month or the three months before it to avoid a late enrollment penalty on your premiums.

If you are still working and do not plan to claim Social Security yet, you can still enroll in Medicare at 65 without claiming retirement benefits. Contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare only, without starting your retirement payments. This is important because waiting to claim retirement does not mean you should wait to enroll in Medicare.

Medicare coverage if you are under 65

You may have Medicare before 65 if you have received SSDI for at least 24 months. The 24-month waiting period starts from the month you first become may be able to access for SSDI, not from the month you explore. If you are receiving SSDI, Social Security will enroll you in Medicare automatically once the waiting period ends. You should receive your Medicare card in the mail without having to do anything.

You also have Medicare if you have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), regardless of age. If you have one of these conditions, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll. You will need medical documentation of your diagnosis.

If you are under 65 and do not fall into either of these categories, you do not have Medicare. You may be able to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or through your employer if you are still working.

What happens if you did not enroll in Medicare when you were supposed to

If you turned 65 and did not enroll in Medicare during your birthday month or the three months before it, you may face a late enrollment penalty. This penalty increases your Part B and Part D premiums permanently. The penalty is 10 percent of the Part B premium for each full year you were not enrolled, and 1 percent of the Part D premium for each month you were not enrolled.

Even if you missed the important date, you can still enroll. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit Medicare.gov to enroll now. Your coverage will start the month after you enroll. If you have a good reason for missing the important date — such as still being covered by an employer plan — you may be able to request a waiver of the penalty. Ask Social Security whether you may have access to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to have Medicare?

No. You can have Medicare if you are a permanent resident (green card holder) who has lived in the United States for at least five years. You must meet all other requirements — being 65 or older, or may have access to through disability or a medical condition. Contact Social Security to confirm your status.

Can I have Medicare and another health insurance at the same time?

Yes. Many people have Medicare and employer coverage, union coverage, or a spouse's plan at the same time. The plans coordinate to cover your care. If you have employer coverage and are over 65, tell your employer's benefits office that you have Medicare so they can coordinate correctly.

What if my Medicare card has the wrong information on it?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and report the error. They can correct your information in the system and send you a new card. Have your Social Security number and the incorrect information ready when you call.

If I am not working, do I still have to enroll in Medicare at 65?

Yes. Even if you are not working and not claiming Social Security, you should enroll in Medicare at 65. If you do not enroll, you will face a late enrollment penalty when you eventually do sign up. Contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare only, without claiming retirement benefits.

How do I know which parts of Medicare I have?

Log into your account at Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Your Medicare card shows Part A and Part B. If you enrolled in Part D (prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Advantage plan, those will show in your online account but not on the card itself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.