Apply for Medicare

The question, “How do I apply for Medicare?” is easy to answer for most people if they are approaching 65. The answer is that they do not need to know how to apply to Medicare because they will likely be automatically enrolled if they have signed up to receive Social Security retirement benefits.

If you do need to manually apply to Medicare, you can do so during one of several enrollment periods.

The most important enrollment period to note is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). For individuals turning 65, this period encompasses the 7 month period surrounding their 65th birthday month, including the 3 months before and the 3 months after. 

If you are registered to receive Social Security retirement benefits around the time of your 65th birthday, you will most likely not need to apply for Medicare. You will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. You can also choose to enroll in Part C and Part D during this period, as well. Not enrolling in optional Medicare Part B or Part D during your initial enrollment period could lead to a penalty on top of your monthly premiums if you choose to enroll in either of these later on. If you have creditable health coverage through your employer or a spouse than no penalties should be applied.

For individuals under 65 receiving Social Security disability benefits, they will be eligible for Medicare — and likely automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B — after 24 months of receiving a disability check.

There are also open enrollment periods for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and for Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) and Part D at the end of the year. If you have not been automatically enrolled or chose to delay your enrollment, you can apply to Medicare programs during these open enrollment periods.

How Do I Apply for Medicare?

If you have not been automatically enrolled in Medicare, you can manually apply through the Social Security administration during open enrollment periods. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will likely be accepted and begin receiving benefits within 4 – 12 weeks. 

How do apply for Medicare? You can do so using one of the following methods:

• Use the online Medicare application on the Social Security website
• Call the Medicare phone number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
• Print out the Medicare enrollment forms manually and return them to your local Social Security office
• Visit your local Social Security office for the proper Medicare forms and assistance
• Contact an insurance broker here at MMIG for assistance applying to Medicare, determining eligibility, and evaluating possible Supplement Insurance Medigap plans or Medicare Advantage plans

When Can I Apply for Medicare?

There are two steps to learning when you can apply for Medicare. 

The first step is to review whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for Medicare, you have to meet one of the following criteria:

• You are 65 years old or older
• You have been receiving Social Security disability for at least 24 months
• You have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), otherwise known as kidney failure
• You have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

Step number two is to determine which Medicare Enrollment Period is best for you.

Initial Enrollment Period

The best time to apply to Medicare is during your initial enrollment period. It is the 7 month period surrounding the month you turn 65. If you are under 65 and have a disability, your initial enrollment period is the 7 month period surrounding the 25th month you receive disability benefits.

If you enroll in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) during this initial enrollment period, then you have a 3 month grace period to change Part C plans or revert to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) if you wish.

Special Enrollment Period

There is an exception to your initial enrollment period if you are working past age 65 and wish to keep your employer’s group health insurance plan. If you have a creditable plan, then you can delay enrollment in Part A and/or Part B with no penalty until the time you decide to retire or disenroll from your group insurance plan.

Once you quit your job or disenroll from your employer’s insurance, you have an 8 month special enrollment period in which you can enroll in Part A Part B with no penalty.

When Should You Apply for Medicare?

The ideal time to apply to Medicare is during your initial enrollment period or, if you chose to keep your employer’s health plan, the special enrollment period after you retire or drop your employer plan.

If you delay enrollment in Medicare Part A past either period, you are ineligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits until you do enroll in Part A.

If you delay enrollment in Part B or Part D and elect to sign up for either later, you will likely pay a penalty on top of your monthly premiums.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) requires that you are enrolled in Part A and Part B, so delaying Part B and later acquiring both Part B and Part C will cause you to incur a penalty.

Call us at (678) 807-8414 or contact us online to get unbiased advice that can help you Protect What’s Ahead.