How to Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65

After you have blown out the candles on your 65th birthday cake, remember to sign up for Medicare. Medicare is the federally-administered health benefit that is available to all elderly and disabled Americans who have fulfilled minimum work requirements. The enrollment process is simple, but it still requires preparation and research.

Instructions

• 1

  Know your deadlines. When you turn 65 (called "aging into Medicare"), there is an enrollment period called the Initial Enrollment Period. This period begins three months before your 65th birth month and ends three months after your 65th birth month, for a total of seven months (including your birth month). If you miss this deadline, you may have to pay penalties on your monthly premiums.

• 2

  Ensure that you won't be automatically enrolled. The only instance in which this would happen is if you are currently receiving Social Security or Railroad Retiree benefits. If you receive these benefits, you should expect to receive information about your automatic enrollment three months before your 65th birthday.

• 3

  Make an inventory of your health needs. This includes the types of specialists you may need access to, the prescription drugs you take and the names of your preferred doctors and pharmacies.

• 4

  Understand and research your Medicare options. Now is the time to decide how you'd like to receive your Medicare benefits. You can have either any combination of traditional Medicare, a Medicare supplement and a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, or you can purchase a Medicare private health plan, called a Medicare Advantage plan.

• 5

  Compare plans. If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, understand that these plans usually limit enrollees to a network. You can use the plan finder tool on Medicare.gov to help you better understand what is available in your neighborhood and at what cost. If traditional Medicare works for you, then you can select that program.

• 6

  Enroll in the programs you have selected. If you are signing up for traditional Medicare, you can enroll by going to your local Social Security office or by writing to Social Security. If you are signing up for a Part D prescription drug plan, a Medicare supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan, you can enroll by calling the plan directly. Some plans can enroll you over the phone, or they may mail you a paper application.