Understanding your options when it comes to Medicare is important when you are approaching the eligibility age, 65, or are disabled under Social Security’s rules. Below is some information from Social Security that might make the process of applying for Social Security a bit easier.
Who can apply for Medicare online?
You can use our online Medicare application if you:
- Are at least 64 years and 9 months old;
- Want to sign up for Medicare but do not currently have ANY Medicare coverage;
- Do not want to start receiving Social Security benefits at this time; and
- Are not currently receiving Social Security retirement, disability or survivors benefits.
When should I apply?
You should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65, even if you are not ready to start receiving retirement benefits. You can opt out of receiving cash retirement benefits now once you are in the online application. Then you can apply online for retirement benefits later.
With Social Security’s online application, you can sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down.
If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B and then decide to do so later, your coverage may be delayed and you may have to pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B. Your monthly premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didn’t sign up for it, unless you qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period.”
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you have medical insurance coverage under a group health plan based on your or your spouse’s current employment, you may not need to apply for Medicare Part B at age 65. You may qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) that will let you sign up for Part B during:
- Any month you remain covered under the group health plan and your, or your spouse’s, employment continues; or
- The 8-month period that begins with the month after your group health plan coverage or the employment it is based on ends, whichever comes first.
Why apply for Medicare online?
Using the online Medicare application has a number of benefits. You can:
- Avoid trips to your Social Security Office, saving you time and money.
- Answer questions at your convenience by starting and stopping the application without fear of losing any information you entered.
- Make corrections to the application prior to submission.
- Submit your application electronically. There is no need to mail in your application. When you are finished, just select “Submit Now” to send your application to Social Security.
- Receive a receipt online for your application that you can print and keep for your records.
- Check the status of your application online. You will receive a confirmation number once you submit your application.
What happens after you apply?
Once Social Security receives your application, they will:
- Review your application and contact you if we need more information or if we need to see your documents;
- Process your application once Social Security has all of the necessary information and documents; and
- Mail you a decision letter.
Other Medicare registration/enrollment options
You can also apply:
- By phone – Call us at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call us at TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- In person – Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)
