How to Apply for Medicare in North Carolina

Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government to those 65 and over, on disability or in end-stage renal failure. Medicare comprises two parts: Part A, which covers hospitalization, and Part B, which covers doctor services. Most people start on Part A as soon as they're eligible, because there are no additional premiums as long as you've contributed to Social Security for at least 40 quarters. Whether you start on Part B depends on whether you're still working when you're eligible for Medicare. If you're working and have health insurance through your employer, you may want to delay enrolling in Part B until you no longer have access to health insurance, because Part B would be secondary anyway, and there's no reason to pay more in premiums than you really need to. You apply for Medicare through the Social Security Administration. North Carolina has resources to help you enroll in Medicare and supplemental coverage, if needed.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide if you need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, or just Part A. If you're working, or receiving retirement benefits from a former employer, that employer's human resources department can be an excellent resource. You can also call the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program at 800-443-9354, which is run by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, or visit them at http://www.ncdoi.com/shiip/default.asp, and they can help you make an informed decision. As long as you have continuous coverage, you can enroll in Part B at a later date without penalty.

• 2

  Enroll in Medicare Parts A or B, or both, by going to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/. The process of completing the information will take between 10 and 30 minutes, according to the website. You can sign up starting at age 64 and 8 months if you're enrolling due to age.

• 3

  Decide if you want supplemental coverage if Medicare will be your only source of health insurance. You also need to consider enrolling in a Part D prescription plan. Part D plans are only available through private companies, and you are penalized if you don't enroll if first eligible and haven't had continuous coverage. The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program office can help you with both of these choices.