How to Sign Up for Medicare When You Turn 65

You have three ways to sign up, and the timing matters

You can sign up for Medicare through Social Security, online at Medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. The easiest route for most people is Social Security, because if you are already receiving benefits at 65, you are signed up automatically. If you are not yet receiving Social Security, you will need to contact Social Security directly to start Medicare enrollment — they handle both at the same time.

The window to sign up without a penalty is your Initial Enrollment Period, which runs for seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after. If you miss this window and do not have coverage through an employer or union, you will pay a permanent surcharge on your Part B and Part D premiums for as long as you have Medicare.

If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you may be able to delay enrollment without penalty — but you must sign up within eight months of leaving that job or losing the coverage, whichever comes first. The rules are different if your employer has 20 or more employees versus fewer than 20, so check with your employer's benefits office before you decide to wait.

Key Takeaways

If you receive Social Security at 65, you are enrolled in Medicare automatically and do not need to do anything.
If you do not receive Social Security, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 at least one month before you turn 65 to enroll in both programs together.
Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long — three months before, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday — and missing it costs you permanently higher premiums.
If you have health coverage through a current employer, you may delay Medicare enrollment without penalty, but you must enroll within eight months of losing that coverage.
You can enroll online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or through Social Security.

If you are already receiving Social Security

Social Security will send you a notice about three months before you turn 65 telling you that you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You do not need to do anything — your coverage starts automatically on the first day of the month you turn 65. Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail before your coverage begins.

Read the notice carefully. It will tell you whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan, depending on what Social Security has on file. If the notice shows something wrong — for example, if it says you are in a plan you never chose — contact Social Security right away at 1-800-772-1213 to correct it before your coverage starts.

If you do not receive Social Security yet

Contact Social Security at least one month before you turn 65. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account at ssa.gov and explore online. When you explore for Social Security retirement benefits, you will also enroll in Medicare at the same time. Social Security will process both applications together.

Have your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax return or W-2 ready when you explore. The process takes about two weeks if you explore online, longer if you explore in person or by phone. Plan ahead so your Medicare coverage starts on time.

If you are not ready to start Social Security retirement benefits yet but want to enroll in Medicare, you can enroll through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE instead. You do not have to explore for Social Security retirement to get Medicare at 65.

Enrolling online at Medicare.gov

Go to Medicare.gov and select "Sign Up for Medicare" at the top of the page. You will need to create a login using your email address. The online form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and citizenship information.

The form takes about 10 minutes to complete. You will see your enrollment status right away on the screen, and Medicare will send you a confirmation by mail. Your Medicare card arrives separately, usually within two weeks. Online enrollment is open year-round during your Initial Enrollment Period.

Enrolling by phone

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell the representative you want to enroll in Medicare. Have your Social Security number, birth date, and citizenship information ready. The call takes about 15 minutes. The representative will confirm your enrollment before you hang up and tell you when to expect your Medicare card.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number 1-877-486-2048. If you speak a language other than English, interpreters are available at no cost — tell the representative your language when you call.

What happens after you enroll

Your Medicare card arrives in the mail within two weeks of enrollment. Your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, even if your card has not arrived yet. You can use your Social Security number as your Medicare number until the card comes.

After you enroll in Part A and Part B, you have a chance to choose a prescription drug plan (Part D) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) if you want one. You do not have to choose — Original Medicare (Part A and Part B alone) is a valid choice. If you do want to add coverage, you have until the end of your Initial Enrollment Period to do so without penalty. After that, you can only change plans during the annual open enrollment period in the fall.

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period

If you did not enroll during your seven-month window and you do not have a may have access to reason to delay, you can still enroll, but you will pay a permanent penalty. Your Part B premium increases by 10 percent for each full 12 months you were may be able to access but not enrolled. If you also did not enroll in Part D, your prescription drug premium increases by 1 percent for each month you were may be able to access but not enrolled.

These penalties stay with you for life, even if you switch plans later. The only way to avoid them is to enroll as soon as you realize you missed the important date. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or enroll at Medicare.gov. You can also visit your local Social Security office to enroll in person.

If you have a may have access to reason for missing the important date — such as active military service, employer coverage you did not know would end, or a serious illness — you may be able to enroll without penalty during a Special Enrollment Period. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether your situation qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enroll in Part B, or can I just take Part A?

You can take Part A alone if you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan. But if you are not working or do not have employer coverage, you should enroll in Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you wait and enroll later, you will pay a permanent 10 percent surcharge on your Part B premium for life.

What if I am still working at 65 and my employer offers health insurance?

You can delay Medicare enrollment without penalty as long as you have coverage through your employer. But you must enroll within eight months of leaving your job or losing the coverage, whichever comes first. Tell your employer's benefits office that you are delaying Medicare so they can document it — you will need proof of that coverage when you enroll later.

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes. Your Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before the month you turn 65, so you can enroll as early as then. Enrolling early is a good idea because it gives Medicare time to process your process and send your card before your coverage starts on your 65th birthday.

What if I want to change my mind after I enroll?

You can change your mind about Part B or prescription drug coverage (Part D) during your Initial Enrollment Period. After that, you can only make changes during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 each year, or if you have a may have access to life event like moving to a new state.

Do I need to do anything if I am already on disability and turning 65?

No. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are automatically switched to Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65, and your Medicare coverage continues without interruption. Your benefits amount may change slightly, but your coverage does not stop.

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.