How to Sign Up for Medicare Benefits

Medicare is a federally administered health-insurance program that covers more than 40 million Americans. It is primarily designed for adults over the age of 65, although people younger than 65 may be eligible if they have a disability. Signing up for Medicare benefits is easy. In fact, if you already receive Social Security benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare automatically. If you don't already receive Social Security benefits, a few quick steps are necessary to sign up for Medicare.

Instructions

Eligibility

• 1

  Determine your eligibility for Medicare. Generally, you are eligible for Medicare benefits if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is 65 or older. If you are under the age of 65, you may still be eligible if you receive Social Security disability benefits.

• 2

  Visit the official Medicare site if you have any questions about your eligibility (see Resources).

• 3

  Click on "Am I Eligible?"; the Medicare eligibility tool will present a series of questions that will determine your eligibility. You will need to enter your birthdate, marital status and annual income range. The site will then prepare a personalized list of your potential Medicare benefits.

If You Already Receive Social Security Benefits

• 4

  Wait for your 65th birthday if you already receive Social Security benefits. If you receive them, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B starting on the first day of your birthday month. Medicare Part A covers hospital stays and nursing facilities, and Medicare Part B covers doctor's visits and outpatient procedures. You will not pay a premium for Part A, but there is a premium for Part B that will vary based on your income level.

• 5

  Expect to receive a Medicare card and enrollment package in the mail approximately 3 months before your 65th birthday. In the enrollment package, you will have an option to turn down Medicare Part B if you do not want that coverage. Simply fill out and sign the "decline" card that came with your enrollment package and drop it in the mail.

• 6

  Call the Social Security office at [phone] if you do not receive your Medicare packet by your 65th birthday.

If You Do Not Receive Social Security Benefits

• 7

  Visit the Social Security office in your area at least 3 months before your 65th birthday. You can locate your Social Security office by using the office locator on the Social Security website (see Resources). You can cut down on your waiting time at the office by calling the Social Security Administration at [phone] and scheduling an appointment.

• 8

  Be prepared to provide proof that you are a United States citizen or a permanent resident. The required documents will vary, but may include a birth certificate, passport or U.S.-issued identification card. Have your Social Security number handy, because it will be required to process your registration.

• 9

  Decide if you want Medicare Part B coverage, which requires a monthly premium, in addition to Part A. You will have the option to sign up for both Part A and Part B, or just Part A. The list of services covered under Part B is included in Resources.

If You Are Under 65 and Disabled

• 10

  Wait for your Medicare card to arrive in the mail. If you have been receiving Social Security disability payments for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B starting in the 25th month, and your Medicare card and enrollment package will be sent through the mail. You are not eligible to receive Medicare until you have been receiving Social Security benefits for 24 months.

• 11

  Decide if you want to keep Medicare Part B. If not, fill out and sign the "decline" card that came in your enrollment package and drop it in the mail.

• 12

  Call the Social Security Administration at [phone] if you do not receive your Medicare packet by the 25th month after the start of your Social Security disability payments.