When and How to Sign Up for Medicare

You can sign up for Medicare starting three months before you turn 65, during your birth month, and for three months after. This seven-month window is called your Initial Enrollment Period. If you sign up during this window, your coverage typically starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 or the month after, depending on when you submit your enrollment.

If you miss this window, you can still sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. However, signing up late may mean a delay in coverage and a permanent increase to your monthly premium. The penalty is roughly 10 percent per year for every 12 months you delayed, so signing up as soon as you are may be able to access saves money over time.

You have three main ways to sign up: online through Medicare.gov, by phone with Social Security, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is fastest — you can complete it in about 15 minutes if you have your Social Security number and basic health information ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You can sign up for Medicare starting three months before you turn 65, and you have until three months after your birthday to avoid a permanent premium penalty.
  • The easiest method is to sign up online at Medicare.gov, where you can complete enrollment in one session without waiting on hold.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth date, citizenship or immigration status, and information about any current health coverage.
  • If you are still working and have health insurance through your job, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty — ask your employer's benefits office whether you may have access to.
  • After you sign up, Medicare will mail you a card within two weeks; do not wait for the card to arrive before your coverage starts.

Signing Up Online at Medicare.gov

Go to Medicare.gov and click "Sign Up for Medicare" in the top menu. You will be asked to create a login using your email address and a password. This login lets you check your enrollment status and update your information later, so choose something you can remember.

The form asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, citizenship status, and whether you are currently covered by an employer health plan or other insurance. Answer honestly about your current coverage — this affects which parts of Medicare you can enroll in and whether you face a penalty. If you are unsure, bring your insurance card or call your employer's benefits office before you start.

You will then choose which parts of Medicare you want. Most people enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (doctor and outpatient care). If you want prescription drug coverage, you also choose a Part D plan at this time. If you want to replace Original Medicare with a private plan, you choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead. The form walks you through each choice and shows you plans available in your zip code.

After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. Medicare will send a confirmation letter by mail within two weeks, and your coverage begins on the date shown in that letter — usually the first of the month in which you turn 65 or the month after.

Signing Up by Phone or In Person

If you prefer to enroll by phone, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current insurance information ready. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Social Security will mail you a confirmation and your Medicare card.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport, proof of citizenship (such as a driver's license), and information about any current health coverage. An employee will help you complete the enrollment form and answer questions about which parts of Medicare fit your situation.

Phone and in-person enrollment take longer than online because you may wait on hold or for an appointment, but some people find it easier to ask questions as they go. If you are unsure about which Medicare parts to choose, talking to someone directly can help you make the right decision the first time.

What Happens After You Sign Up

Medicare will send you a Medicare card by mail within two weeks of enrollment. Your coverage starts on the date listed in your confirmation letter, not when the card arrives, so you are covered even if the card is delayed. If you need proof of coverage before the card arrives, you can print your confirmation from Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Your Part A coverage (hospital insurance) is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. Part B (doctor visits and outpatient care) costs a monthly premium, which is deducted from your Social Security check if you receive benefits. If you do not receive Social Security yet, Medicare will bill you monthly by mail.

If you chose a Part D plan (prescription drugs) or a Medicare Advantage plan, that coverage also starts on the date in your confirmation letter. Make sure your doctors and pharmacies are in your plan's network before your coverage begins, so you know what to expect on your first visit.

If You Miss Your Enrollment Window

If you did not sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have a valid reason for the delay, you can still enroll during the General Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage will start July 1 of that year, and you will pay a permanent 10 percent increase to your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare.

However, you may may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period that lets you sign up without penalty. You may have access to if you were covered by an employer health plan when you turned 65, if you lost that coverage, or if you are a U.S. citizen or lawful resident who was outside the country. You have eight months from the date you lose employer coverage or return to the country to sign up without penalty.

If you think you have a reason to may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Explain your situation, and they will tell you whether you can avoid the late penalty and when your coverage can start.

Choosing Between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

When you sign up, you decide whether to enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Original Medicare is run by the federal government and accepted by most doctors nationwide. Medicare Advantage is run by private insurance companies and usually includes prescription drug coverage, but it limits you to doctors and hospitals in the plan's network.

If you choose Original Medicare, you must also choose a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage, or you will pay a penalty if you add it later. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, prescription drug coverage is usually included, so you do not need to choose Part D separately.

You can change your choice during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7 each year. Your new coverage starts January 1. This means if you sign up for Original Medicare now and decide later you want Medicare Advantage instead, you can switch during the fall enrollment period without penalty.

Documents and Information You Will Need

Before you start the enrollment process, gather these items so you can complete it quickly:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your date of birth
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency (driver's license, passport, or birth certificate)
  • Information about any current health insurance (employer plan, individual plan, or coverage through a spouse)
  • A list of your current doctors and pharmacies, if you want to check whether they are in a plan's network

If you are signing up in person or by phone, bring these documents with you. If you are signing up online, you will type the information into the form — you do not need to upload documents unless Medicare asks you to verify something later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign up for Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes. You can sign up starting three months before your 65th birthday. For example, if you turn 65 in June, you can sign up starting in March. Signing up early means your coverage starts on the first day of your birth month or the month after, depending on when you submit your enrollment.

What if I am still working when I turn 65?

You can delay Part B enrollment without penalty if you have health insurance through your current job and you or your employer is paying for it. You must sign up for Part A (hospital insurance) during your Initial Enrollment Period, but you can wait to sign up for Part B until you retire or lose your job coverage. Ask your employer's benefits office whether you may have access to for this exception before you decide to delay.

Do I have to choose a Part D plan when I sign up?

If you choose Original Medicare, yes — you should choose a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you delay and do not have other creditable drug coverage, you will pay a permanent penalty when you finally enroll. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, Part D is usually included, so you do not need to choose it separately.

How long does it take to get my Medicare card after I sign up?

Medicare will mail your card within two weeks of enrollment. Your coverage starts on the date in your confirmation letter, not when the card arrives. If you need proof of coverage before the card arrives, you can print your confirmation from Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to request a temporary proof of coverage letter.

What if I made a mistake on my enrollment form?

Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or log into your Medicare.gov account to review what you submitted. If you catch the error before your coverage starts, you can usually correct it by phone or online. If your coverage has already started and you need to make a change, you may have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall, unless you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period.