How to Apply for New Jersey Medicare

Medicare is a government program that primarily provides medical and health-related services to persons 65 years of age and older living in the United States. The program also covers hospital and medical care expenses for certain disabled people under the age of 65. According to the Social Security Administration, Medicare consists of four parts; Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (supplementary medical insurance), Part C (enrollment in private insurance), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). All these services are available to qualifying New Jersey residents.

Things You'll Need

• Medicare application
• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• Proof of employment

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine that you meet all eligibility requirements for Medicare. Besides being 65 and older, you or your spouse must have worked for at least 10 years at a job covering Medicare employment. This means either you or your spouse has paid Social Security tax/FICA taxes. Persons who are disabled or suffering from permanent kidney failure may apply for Medicare at any age.

• 2

  Decide what type of Medicare coverage you need. You can choose to apply for Medicare Part A, which covers impatient care at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and/or Medicare Part B, which covers doctors' services, physical and occupational therapists, outpatient hospital care and some home health care services. You must be enrolled in one or both of these services before applying for Medicare Part C or Part D.

• 3

  Contact the Social Security Administration online at SocialSecurity.Gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person to complete an enrollment application (use the Resource link below to find a New Jersey office). Be prepared to provide your Social Security number, date of birth and employment history. If applicable, you must also provide spousal information, other forms of insurance and bank information during the application process.

• 4

  Confirm the accuracy of all information submitted. By phone you will be asked to verify your answers are true, online you will be required to provide an electronic signature which consists of typing your name, and in person you will be required to provide a written signature.

• 5

  Submit all required supplemental documents to the Social Security Administration. Once you've completed the enrollment application, you will be provided a list of documents you must send to the Social Security Administration and instructions on where to send them. These documents generally include a copy of your Social Security card, birth certificate, W-2 form and proof of other insurance.

• 6

  Expect to wait several weeks before receiving your Medicare card from the Social Security Administration once you've submitted all documents.