How to Enroll in Medicare
With various forms to enroll, it doesn’t have to be hard
If you receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board four months before you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled. However, suppose you have not started receiving these benefits. In that case, you need to collect some documents and prepare yourself for the process.
How to Enroll
You have three options for signing up to Original Medicare:
By phone: You will need to call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-3250778). This allows you to schedule a phone interview, during which you can formally apply for Medicare.
In-person: You can go to your Social Security office for an in-person interview. To avoid waiting in line and make the process more fluid, call ahead and schedule an appointment.
Online: You can also apply through the Social Security website if your 65th birthday is less than three months away. Online applications are only for people living within the US who do not yet have any Medicare coverage and are not applying for retirement benefits at the same time.
You will need the following documents:
- Your Social Security Card
- Your original certificate of birth or a certified copy
- Legal residency documents. Such as your passport or green card
- Marital Status documents: if married, you need your original marriage certificate or certified copy
- Proof of your employer-sponsored insurance policy, if you delayed enrollment in Part B
Note that Medicare requires original documents or certified copies. This means you will need to mail the original copies to them if you are applying online or by phone. If you are a green card holder, you must apply in person and bring your original documents with you.
Even that applying online or by phone may seem more convenient, in reality, it is best to call and reserve an appointment for an in-person interview. This will help avoid any loss of documents and allow you to do all questions needed to better understand your Medicare plan’s details.
Registration for under 65
People under 65 with disabilities will automatically enroll in Parts A and B after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months. Suppose you have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). In that case, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare the first month you receive your SSDI benefits, which should be five months after you apply. To make certain this happens, make sure your SSDI application clearly indicates that you have been diagnosed with ALS.
People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) need to apply in person at their local Social Security office. Your doctor or dialysis facility will provide you with documentation showing that you are eligible for Medicare. If you are too sick to go in person, a family member or other designated person can go in your place.