How to Sign Up for Medicare When You Turn 65

You can sign up for Medicare starting three months before you turn 65

Medicare enrollment opens on the first day of the month you turn 65, but you can start the process three months earlier. Most people sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period, which runs for seven months total: three months before the month you turn 65, the month itself, and three months after. If you miss this window, you can still sign up later, but you may pay a permanent penalty on your premiums.

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

Key Takeaways

Your Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after, giving you seven months total to sign up without penalty.
You can sign up online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or at your local Social Security office.
If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty — ask your employer's benefits office first.
You will need your Social Security number, birth date, citizenship or immigration status, and information about any current health coverage.
Signing up during your Initial Enrollment Period protects you from late-enrollment penalties that can add to your premiums permanently.

What happens if you sign up online at Medicare.gov

Go to Medicare.gov and click "Sign up for Medicare" on the homepage. You will create a Medicare.gov account using your email address and a password. You will then answer questions about your age, citizenship, and whether you receive Social Security benefits.

If you already receive Social Security, Medicare will pull your information automatically and you will just confirm it is correct. If you do not yet receive Social Security, you will enter your name, date of birth, and Social Security number by hand. The form takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you submit it, you will get a confirmation number on screen and by email — save both.

Medicare will mail you a Medicare card within two weeks. You can also check the status of your process by logging back into your Medicare.gov account. Your coverage typically starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, even if your card arrives later.

Signing up by phone or in person

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to sign up by phone. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and citizenship information ready. A representative will walk you through the questions and submit your process on the spot. You will get a confirmation number before you hang up.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), and proof of age and identity (driver's license works). Staff will complete your process while you wait and give you a confirmation number.

Phone and in-person applications take longer than online — usually 20 to 30 minutes — but some people prefer them if they have questions or do not use computers regularly.

When you are still working and have employer coverage

If you are still employed and your employer offers health insurance, you may not need to sign up for Medicare Part B right away. Part B is the part that covers doctor visits and outpatient care. You can delay it without penalty as long as you are covered by your employer's plan and actively working.

Before you decide to delay, contact your employer's benefits office and ask: "Can I delay Medicare Part B while I am covered under this plan?" Get the answer in writing. Some employers require you to sign up for Part A (hospital coverage) even if you delay Part B, so ask about that too.

If you do delay Part B, you must sign up within eight months after you leave your job or lose your employer coverage. If you miss that important date, you will owe a penalty of 10 percent per year for each year you were late — and that penalty stays on your premium for life.

Documents and information you will need

Gather these items before you start your process, whether online, by phone, or in person:

Your Social Security number
Your date of birth
Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status (passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, or green card)
Information about any current health coverage — the name of your employer or insurance company, your policy number, and your group number if you have one
Your bank account number and routing number if you want your premium deducted automatically (optional but recommended)

If you are explore in person, bring originals or certified copies of your citizenship documents. If you are explore online or by phone, you will not need to upload or mail documents right away — Medicare will ask for them only if there is a question about your information.

What to expect after you submit your process

Medicare will send you a confirmation letter within two weeks. Your Medicare card will arrive separately, usually within two to four weeks. Your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, regardless of when your card arrives, so you are protected even if the card is slow.

If you signed up online, you can log into your Medicare.gov account anytime to check your process status, view your coverage details, and read a temporary proof of coverage if you need it before your card arrives.

If you signed up by phone or in person, write down your confirmation number and keep it with your important documents. You can call 1-800-MEDICARE to check your status using that number.

What happens if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period

If you do not sign up during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, you can still sign up later during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Your coverage will start July 1 of that year.

However, if you sign up late for Part B, you will owe a penalty of 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full year you were late. That penalty is permanent — it stays on your premium for as long as you have Part B. For example, if you were two years late, you would pay 20 percent more every month for the rest of your life.

The only exception is if you were covered by an employer's health plan and actively working when you turned 65. In that case, you have eight months after you leave that job to sign up without penalty. Get that important date in writing from your employer's benefits office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign up before I turn 65?

Yes. You can start the process three months before the month you turn 65. For example, if you turn 65 in June, you can sign up starting in March. Your coverage will begin on June 1, even if you sign up in March.

Do I have to sign up for both Part A and Part B?

Part A (hospital insurance) is automatic if you receive Social Security. Part B (doctor and outpatient care) is optional, but if you do not sign up when you are first may be able to access, you will owe a permanent penalty unless you were covered by an employer plan. Ask your employer's benefits office before you decline Part B.

What if I am not yet receiving Social Security when I turn 65?

You can still sign up for Medicare. You will enter your Social Security number during the process, and Medicare will process it. You do not have to be receiving Social Security payments to get Medicare — the two programs are separate.

How much does Medicare cost?

Part A has no monthly premium for most people. Part B has a monthly premium that varies by income — in 2024 it ranges from about $174 to $560 per month depending on your income from two years ago. Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans have their own costs. You can see current premiums on Medicare.gov.

Can I change my mind after I sign up?

Yes, during your Initial Enrollment Period you can change your coverage choices. After that, you can make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you have a may have access to life event like losing employer coverage.

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.