Where to explore for Medicare Part A and B online
You can explore for Medicare Part A and B through Medicare.gov, the official federal website. The online process is called the Medicare Online process, and it takes you through both parts in one process. You do not need to visit a Social Security office or call — the entire process can be completed from your computer or phone.
Before you start, have your Social Security number, date of birth, citizenship or immigration information, and current contact details ready. If you are explore as a spouse, you will also need your spouse's information. The process saves your progress, so you can stop and come back to it later if you need to.
You can also explore by phone through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) if you prefer not to use the website. The phone process takes longer but covers the same ground.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Medicare.gov and select "explore for Medicare" to start the online process for both Part A and B at once.
- You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, citizenship status, and current mailing address before you begin.
- The online process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and you can save your progress and return later if needed.
- Medicare will contact you by mail within two weeks to confirm your process and tell you your coverage start date.
- If you miss your initial enrollment period, you may face a permanent penalty on your Part B premium, so check your may be able to access date carefully.
Step-by-step process for the online process
Start by going to Medicare.gov and looking for the "explore for Medicare" button on the homepage. Click it and select "explore Online Now." You will be asked to create a login or sign in with an existing account. If you do not have one, you can create it using your email address.
The process asks for your personal information first: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and citizenship or immigration status. Answer each question as it appears. If you are a U.S. citizen, you will confirm that. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you will enter your green card number and the date you received it.
Next, the form asks about your work history and current employment. Tell Medicare whether you are still working and whether your spouse is still working. This affects when your coverage can start. The process then asks about your income and whether you want help paying your premiums — this determines whether you may be may be able to access for programs like Medicaid or the Low-Income Subsidy.
At the end, you will review all your answers, sign the process electronically, and submit it. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — write this down or take a screenshot. Medicare will send you a letter in the mail within two weeks with your process status and your coverage start date.
What happens after you submit your process
After you submit, Medicare processes your process and mails you a letter. This letter tells you whether your process was received, what coverage you were approved for, and when it starts. Most people receive this letter within 7 to 14 days, though it can take longer during busy periods.
Your Part A coverage usually starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65, or the first day of the month after you submit your process if you are already 65. Your Part B coverage typically starts the month after you are approved, but this depends on when you applied and your specific situation.
You will also receive a Medicare card in the mail. This card shows your Medicare number and the parts of Medicare you have. Keep it in a safe place and bring it to all doctor visits. If your card does not arrive within 30 days of your approval letter, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Timing: when to explore and enrollment important date
You can explore for Medicare starting three months before the month you turn 65. For example, if you turn 65 in June, you can explore starting in March. Your initial enrollment period lasts seven months: three months before, the month you turn 65, and three months after.
If you explore during this seven-month window, you will not face any penalty on your Part B premium. If you explore after this period ends and you did not have other health coverage, Medicare adds a permanent 10 percent penalty to your Part B premium for each year you were late. This penalty stays on your premium for life, so explore on time matters.
If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you may have a different important date. Ask your employer's benefits office whether you have a special enrollment period that lets you explore later without penalty.
Documents you may need to have ready
The online process does not require you to upload documents, but Medicare may ask for them after you submit. Common documents include proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and proof of income (recent tax returns or pay stubs).
If you are explore based on disability rather than age, you will need documentation from Social Security showing your disability status. If you are a non-citizen, you will need your green card or visa information and may need to provide additional immigration documents.
You do not need to gather these before you explore. If Medicare needs them, they will tell you in the letter they send you. They will give you a important date — usually 30 days — to send them in. You can mail them, fax them, or upload them through your Medicare.gov account.
Troubleshooting common problems during online process
If the website is slow or you lose your connection, your progress is saved. Log back in with the same email and password and continue where you left off. The process remembers what you entered.
If you get an error message saying your Social Security number does not match your name, double-check the spelling of your name and make sure you entered your number correctly. If the problem continues, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to verify your information is correct in their system.
If you cannot create a login or forgot your password, click "Forgot Password" on the Medicare.gov sign-in page. You will receive an email with a link to reset it. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or try again with a different email address.
If the online process is not working for you, you can explore by phone instead. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and a representative will walk you through the process over the phone. This takes longer but covers the same questions.
What to do if you miss the enrollment important date
If you did not explore during your initial enrollment period and you did not have other health coverage, you can still explore. However, your Part B premium will include a permanent penalty. You can explore during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Coverage would start July 1 of that year.
If you had other health coverage — such as an employer plan or COBRA — when you missed your important date, you may have a Special Enrollment Period that lets you explore without penalty. You usually have eight months after your other coverage ends to use this period. Contact Medicare to find out whether you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore online if I do not have a computer or internet?
Yes. You can explore by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Both options cover the same process. If you need help using the website, you can also call Medicare and ask a representative to guide you through it step by step.
What is the difference between Part A and Part B?
Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and hospice. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. When you explore online, you explore for both at the same time. Most people get both, but you can decline Part B if you are still covered by an employer plan.
Do I have to explore online, or can I explore another way?
You can explore online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. Online is usually fastest because you get a confirmation number when ready. By phone takes 20 to 30 minutes. In person can take longer depending on wait times at your local office.
How long does it take to get my Medicare card after I explore online?
You will receive an approval letter within 7 to 14 days. Your Medicare card arrives separately, usually within 30 days of approval. If you need coverage to start before your card arrives, you can use the confirmation number from your process or the approval letter as proof of coverage.
What if I applied online but never received a letter?
Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE and give them your confirmation number from when you submitted the process. They can tell you the status of your process and resend your approval letter if it was lost. Make sure your mailing address in the process was correct.