How to sign up for Medicare

You can sign up for Medicare through three main routes: online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at your local Social Security office. Most people become may be able to access at 65, though some younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease can sign up earlier. The process itself takes about 10 minutes online or 15 to 20 minutes on the phone, but you need to have certain documents ready before you start.

Timing matters because Medicare has enrollment periods with penalties if you miss them. If you wait past your initial enrollment window, you may pay higher premiums for the rest of your life. The good news: if you are still working and covered by an employer plan, you usually get extra time to sign up without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • You can sign up online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or at a Social Security office — all three routes are free and take 10 to 20 minutes.
  • You need your Social Security number, birth date, citizenship or immigration status, and information about any current health coverage before you start.
  • Your initial enrollment period is the three months before the month you turn 65, the month itself, and three months after — missing this window can cost you permanently higher premiums.
  • If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you can delay Medicare without penalty as long as you sign up within eight months of leaving that job.
  • Part A (hospital insurance) is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years; Part B (doctor visits) costs a monthly premium that varies by income.

What documents and information you need before you start

Gather these items before you open Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and citizenship or immigration status. Have your current health insurance card handy — whether that is an employer plan, Medicaid, or coverage from a spouse's job. If you do not have current coverage, that is fine; just note that.

You will also need to know whether you have worked long enough to be covered. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you have not, you can still get Part A but will pay a monthly premium. The Social Security Administration can tell you your work history, or you can check it yourself at ssa.gov by creating a my Social Security account.

If you are signing up online, have an email address ready. If you are calling, have a pen and paper to write down your Medicare number once it is issued — you will need it to set up your online account later.

Signing up online at Medicare.gov

Go to Medicare.gov and click "Sign Up for Medicare" in the top navigation. You will land on a page asking whether you are signing up for yourself or someone else. Choose yourself. The form then walks you through your personal information, work history, and current coverage status. It takes about 10 minutes if you have your documents ready.

At the end, you will see a summary of what you chose — Part A, Part B, or both. Review it carefully. You can change your mind before you submit, but once you submit, you cannot undo it online. If you make a mistake, you will need to call 1-800-MEDICARE to fix it. After you submit, you will get a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down the confirmation number.

Your Medicare card will arrive by mail within two to four weeks. Until then, keep your confirmation number and the email receipt. If you need to see your coverage details before the card arrives, log into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov using your email and password.

Signing up by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell the representative you want to sign up for Medicare. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current insurance information ready. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. The representative will ask the same questions the online form does: your work history, whether you want Part A, Part B, or both, and whether you want to enroll in a prescription drug plan (Part D) at the same time.

At the end of the call, the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down and ask for it to be mailed to you as well. Your Medicare card will arrive within two to four weeks. If you do not receive it after four weeks, call 1-800-MEDICARE again with your confirmation number.

The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or on Saturdays. If English is not your first language, interpreters are available.

Signing up in person at Social Security

You can walk into any Social Security office and sign up for Medicare there. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport, and proof of citizenship or immigration status (a green card, visa, or naturalization papers). Bring your current insurance card if you have one. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary widely — call ahead to ask how busy your local office is.

The process takes 20 to 30 minutes in person. The Social Security representative will fill out the form with you and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Your Medicare card will arrive by mail within two to four weeks. This route is useful if you are uncomfortable with phones or computers, or if you need help understanding the form in your native language.

Understanding enrollment periods and penalties

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs for seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. If you sign up during this window, your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 (or the first day of the month after you sign up, whichever is later). This is the penalty-free window.

If you miss this window, you enter the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. You can sign up then, but your coverage will not start until July 1 of that year. More importantly, you will pay a permanent 10 percent penalty on your Part B premium for each full year you delayed. That penalty stays with you for life.

There is one major exception: if you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you can delay Medicare without penalty. You have eight months after you leave that job or lose that coverage to sign up. Bring proof of your employer coverage (your insurance card or a letter from your employer) when you sign up, and the penalty will be waived.

What happens after you sign up

Your Medicare card will arrive within two to four weeks. It will show your Medicare number, the date your coverage starts, and which parts you are enrolled in (Part A, Part B, or both). Keep this card with you at all times — you will need it when you see a doctor or go to the hospital.

Before your coverage starts, you should choose a doctor who accepts Medicare. You can search for doctors on Medicare.gov. If you want prescription drug coverage (Part D), you can enroll in a plan during your Initial Enrollment Period at the same time you sign up for Part A and B, or you can add it later during the annual enrollment period (October 15 through December 7 each year).

If you have questions about your coverage after you sign up, log into your Medicare account at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also contact your state's Health Insurance Counseling and information Program (SHIP), which offers free one-on-one help. Find your state's SHIP at shiptalk.org.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not wait until after you turn 65 to sign up. Many people think they have until the end of the year, but your Initial Enrollment Period ends three months after your birthday. If you miss it, you will pay a penalty for life. Mark your calendar three months before your 65th birthday and sign up then.

Do not assume Part A is automatic. While most people get Part A automatically if they are receiving Social Security benefits, you still need to actively sign up for Part B. Part A and Part B are separate enrollments. If you only sign up for Part A and skip Part B, you will not have doctor coverage.

Do not ignore the important date if you are still working. If you are covered by an employer plan, you have eight months after you leave that job to sign up for Medicare without penalty. If you wait nine months, you will pay a penalty. Write down the date you leave your job and set a reminder for eight months later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign up for Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes, if you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease or ALS. Otherwise, you must wait until the three months before you turn 65. If you are not yet 65 and do not have one of these conditions, you cannot sign up early.

What if I miss my enrollment important date?

You can still sign up during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31 each year), but your coverage will not start until July 1, and you will pay a 10 percent penalty on your Part B premium for each year you delayed. The penalty is permanent. If you were still working and covered by an employer plan when you missed the important date, you may still be able to avoid the penalty — call 1-800-MEDICARE to explain your situation.

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

No. When you sign up for Part A and Part B, you are enrolling in Original Medicare, which is the government plan. You do not have to choose a private Medicare Advantage plan at that time. You can stay in Original Medicare or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15 through December 7) each year.

Will I have to pay anything if I sign up during my enrollment period?

Part A is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B costs a monthly premium that varies by income — in 2024 it ranges from about $174 to $560 per month for most people. You will receive a bill for Part B after your coverage starts. Prescription drug coverage (Part D) has its own monthly premium that varies by plan.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who has lived in the United States for at least five years to sign up for Medicare. Bring proof of your immigration status when you sign up — a green card, visa, or naturalization papers. If you are not sure whether you meet the requirements, call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask.