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Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare, so the first step is to check whether you need to apply. If you already receive Social Security benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, you will usually be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. Some people who receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits may also be enrolled automatically.
If you are not automatically enrolled, you can apply for Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B through Social Security online, by phone, or in person.
Here is a quick way to think about your next step:
To start your Medicare application, you can:
For most people, the best time to apply for Medicare is during the Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.
This seven-month period:
Signing up before your birthday month can help your Medicare coverage start on time, so you can avoid gaps in coverage.
You may be able to delay Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty if you have group health plan coverage through your or your spouse’s current employer. Some people may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of certain special situations.
You may be eligible for Medicare Part A and/or Part B if you are:
You must also meet U.S. citizenship or residency rules. Lawful permanent residents generally must have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least five years before the month they apply for Medicare.
Not always. It depends on your current health coverage and whether you qualify for premium-free Part A.
Most people who qualify for premium-free Part A sign up for Part A when they turn 65 because it usually has a $0 monthly premium. If you have a health savings account, or HSA, check with your employer or tax advisor before signing up for any part of Medicare.
You may be able to delay Part B without a late enrollment penalty if you have group health plan coverage through your or your spouse’s current employer. When that job or coverage ends, you usually have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B.
If you do not have current employer-based group health coverage and you delay Part B, you may have to pay late enrollment penalties. If you have to buy Part A and delay signing up, a Part A penalty may also apply.
Applying for Part B only: If you already have Part A and want to add Part B, apply through Social Security during a valid enrollment period.
To start your Medicare application, you will usually need to provide personal and health insurance information. You may not need to submit documents right away, but it helps to have key information ready.
The documents needed to apply for Medicare online, by phone, or in person can vary based on your situation.
You may want to have this information ready:
If documents are needed, Social Security will tell you what to submit and how to submit them.
If you are under 65, the information you need depends on how you qualify. If you are applying based on ESRD, Medicare will need medical evidence from your healthcare provider. If you are applying based on a disability or ALS, Social Security may need medical information or permission to request records.
Medicare mails your card as part of a welcome package. When it arrives depends on how you enroll.
Automatic enrollment: If you are automatically enrolled, your welcome package and Medicare card usually arrive about three months before your coverage starts.
Manual enrollment: If you complete your Medicare application through Social Security, including if you apply for Medicare online, by phone, or in person, your card usually arrives about two weeks after you sign up.
Under 65 with a disability: If you qualify for Medicare based on disability, your card timing depends on when Social Security approves your benefits and when Medicare coverage starts. For many people under 65, Medicare starts after 24 months of disability benefits. ALS and ESRD have different timing rules.
When your Medicare card arrives, review it carefully and keep it in a safe place. Your card shows your Medicare number, whether you have Part A, Part B, or both, and the date your coverage begins.
Check your information: Make sure your name, Medicare number, and Part A and/or Part B effective dates are correct.
Report any issues: If your name or coverage information looks wrong, contact Social Security. If you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits, contact the Railroad Retirement Board.
Create a secure Medicare account: Log in to or create your Medicare account at Medicare.gov to print your card, view claims, and manage Medicare information.
Protect your Medicare number: Treat your Medicare card like a credit card. Do not share your Medicare number with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly by phone, text, email, or social media.
Keep your card even if you choose another plan: If you join a Medicare Advantage plan or another Medicare health plan, you will usually use your plan card for care, but you should still keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
After you sign up for Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you may want more coverage to help with costs and benefits Original Medicare does not cover.
Many people compare two paths:
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C: Medicare Advantage is another way to receive your Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurer, like Anthem. Many plans include prescription drug coverage and may offer extra benefits, such as dental, vision, or hearing coverage.
Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, plus prescription drug coverage: Medigap works with Original Medicare to help pay some out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage, so people who want drug coverage may need a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Choosing the right coverage at the right time can help you avoid gaps in coverage, reduce the risk of late enrollment penalties, and choose coverage that fits your health and budget needs.
Note: Anthem does not offer standalone Medicare Part D plans, but many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.
You may have to pay late enrollment penalties if you do not sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or another exception.
Late enrollment penalties most often apply to Part B and Part D. A Part A penalty may also apply if you have to buy Part A and delay enrollment.
These penalties are added to your monthly premium and may last for years, or for as long as you have the coverage.
Enter your ZIP code below to find plans available in your area.
Learn who is eligible for Medicare Parts A and B.
Learn about Medicare enrollment periods, the best times to enroll or change coverage based on your situation, and how to avoid late enrollment penalties.
Learn the costs of Medicare coverage, from monthly premiums to out-of-pocket costs.
Plan availability, premiums, copays, deductibles, benefits, and benefit amounts may vary based on where you live, the plan you choose, and your eligibility.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare Contract offers HMO, PPO, D-SNP, C-SNP, and/or I-SNP plans. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield D-SNP plans contract with state Medicaid programs. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions, a Medicare Organization with a Medicare Contract in New York offers PPO plans. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Retiree Solutions plans depend on contract renewal.
