How to Apply for Medicare Insurance

Many senior citizens and individuals on disability face a difficult problem. They must find a way to afford their necessary medical expenditures while living on a fixed income. Luckily, Medicare provides assistance. When Congress passed the Social Security Act of 1965, it allowed for the Medicare program to begin. Currently, the government administers two Medicare programs, part A for hospital insurance and part B for medical insurance. Most people do not have to pay for Part A but do make monthly payments for Part B. There is a misconception that enrolling in Medicare is difficult.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you are eligible for Medicare. To enroll in Medicare, you must be 65 years of age or older, or you must have received a disability benefit for 24 months. You may also qualify if you are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

• 2

  Get all the necessary paperwork together. Make sure you have your birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, proof of insurance if you have it and names of doctors and clinics you have seen if you are applying for Medicare due to disability.

• 3

  Start receiving Medicare benefits. If you retired early, you may have already started receiving your Social Security benefits. If so, enrolling in Medicare is very easy. You will be automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B the month you turn 65. Expect to receive your card around three months before your birthday.

• 4

  Apply for both Social Security and Medicare. If you are going to turn 65 soon and have not received started receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for both at the same time. To make sure that your coverage is not delayed, you should apply three months before your birthday. It is easy to apply. You can either call [phone] or visit a local Social Security office. If you wait till you turn 65 or until the last three months of your initial enrollment period, your benefits will be delayed.

• 5

  Qualify for only Medicare. There may be circumstances due to which you do not want to start receiving your Social Security benefits until you turn 70. This does not mean that you should wait to receive your Medicare benefits. To enroll in Medicare, you should call or visit your local Social Security office. You also have the option to enroll by calling Social Security at [phone]. Again, delaying enrollment prolongs your waiting period for receiving benefits.