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If you’re getting Social Security, you’ll be signed up for Medicare automatically when you become eligible at age 65. But if you’re not getting Social Security, you’ll need to apply for Medicare.
You can sign up for Medicare online, over the phone or in person at your local Social Security office. Here's how it works.
How to sign up for Medicare
If you aren't receiving Social Security yet, you can apply for Medicare once you're eligible in one of three ways:
- Online: Apply for Medicare online at the Social Security website. This is the fastest method.
- By phone: Call Social Security at 800-772-1213. (TTY 800-325-0778.)
- In person: Contact your local Social Security office. Visiting a local Social Security office could mean waiting in a long line, and the Social Security Administration encourages people not to show up without an appointment.
Signing up for Medicare is fairly easy, especially if you apply online. According to a recent NerdWallet survey, just 22% of enrollees say it was difficult to sign up for Medicare.
To sign up for Medicare online, you’ll first need to create a my Social Security account if you don’t already have one. Log into that account to start a new application. The online application typically takes as little as 10 minutes, and you can always save and come back to it. Once you submit your application, you can log back in to check its status.
» MORE: Who qualifies for Medicare?
Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?
If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll automatically get Medicare when you become eligible. You may still want to review your coverage options. If you aren’t getting Social Security, you won’t be automatically enrolled in Medicare, so you’ll need to sign up on your own.
If you’ve received Social Security for at least four months before age 65, you’ll automatically get Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. You’ll have the option to delay Part B if you have other qualifying health coverage.
If you’ve applied for Social Security, but you haven’t gotten benefits for that long, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A when you become eligible for Medicare. You’ll have to apply for Part B.
If you're disabled and under age 65...
Medicare is also available to younger people who get Social Security disability benefits, or SSDI. Usually, they’re enrolled in Medicare automatically after 24 months of disability benefit eligibility.
People who have Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, automatically receive Medicare coverage the same month they get their first disability check. People with kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease, can apply for Medicare, with coverage typically starting on the first day of the fourth month of dialysis treatments. Retroactive start dates are common, going back as many as 12 months. If certain conditions are met, the waiting period may be waived.
People with end-stage renal disease getting a kidney transplant are eligible for Medicare the month they’re admitted for the transplant or for pre-transplant services.
Shopping for Medicare plans? We have you covered.
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare offered by private health insurers. It covers the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B.
- States available48 states and Washington, D.C.
- Members in high-rated plansMedium (50% to 84%)
- Member satisfactionAverage
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711
M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET
Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
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- States available46 states and Washington, D.C.
- Members in high-rated plansLow (49% or less)
- Member satisfactionAbove average
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711
M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET
Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
Get a quote
On NerdWallet
When can I sign up for Medicare?
You have seven months around your 65th birthday to enroll in Medicare:
- Three months before your birthday month.
- Your birthday month.
- Three months after your birthday month.
This is called your initial enrollment period. If your birthday is the first of the month, your initial enrollment period includes the four months before your birthday month and two months after.
If you’re not enrolled automatically, you should sign up for Medicare in the three months before your 65th birthday. That way, coverage will start on the first day of your birthday month (unless you were born on the first day of the month, in which case coverage begins on the first day of the prior month).
What if I miss my initial enrollment period?
If you miss your initial window, and you're not eligible for a special enrollment period, you’ll need to sign up during Medicare's general enrollment period. This happens each year from Jan. 1 to March 31. You may be subject to a permanent late enrollment penalty unless you have continuous coverage from a large employer group health insurance plan.
What documents do I need to apply for Medicare?
When you apply for Medicare, you’ll need to have the following information ready:
- Your Social Security number.
- The city where you were born.
- Your health insurance information, including start and end employment dates for the employer providing group health insurance as well as start and end dates for the insurance itself.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you’ll need your Permanent Resident Card number. If you’ve been on Medicaid, you’ll need start and end dates for that.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
How long does it take to get Medicare once you enroll?
After you sign up for Medicare, you’ll be mailed a Medicare welcome kit explaining how Parts A and B work and how to shop for additional coverage. You’ll also get your red, white and blue Medicare card. (Don’t throw it away — it’s not junk mail.)
The date your coverage starts will depend on when you sign up for Medicare:
| If you sign up... | Your Medicare coverage starts |
|---|---|
| Before the month of your 65th birthday.* | The first day of the month you turn 65. |
| The month you turn 65 or during the three months after. | The first day of the next month. |
| During the general enrollment period, which runs Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. | The first day of the month after you sign up. |
| During a special enrollment period. | The first day of the next month. |
| *If your birthday is on the first of the month, your coverage will start on the first day of the month before your birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 on Aug. 1, your coverage will start July 1. | |
Medicare coverage always starts on the first day of the month. If you’re unsure of when you can sign up for Medicare, check your specific situation with Medicare directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get signed up for Medicare?
Signing up for Medicare online takes as little as 10 minutes, and you typically need no documentation. You’ll need your Social Security number, birth city and start and end dates for any current group health insurance plans or any group health plans after age 65.
Do I call my local Social Security office to apply for Medicare?
You can sign up for Medicare online at the Social Security website, or you can call Social Security at 800-772-1213. However, it may take longer if you call Social Security to enroll. Applying online is generally the fastest way to sign up for Medicare. If you decide to visit your local Social Security office, make an appointment to avoid long lines.
Can I sign up for Medicare without an agent?
You can sign up for Medicare without an agent by visiting the Social Security website or calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. But it’s a good idea to consider working with a licensed insurance agent or broker. They can help you navigate the complexities of Medicare and find the best coverage options for your needs.
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- 1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. How do I sign up for Medicare?. Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
- 2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. I’m getting Social Security benefits before 65. Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
- 3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
- 4. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. When does Medicare coverage start?. Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
- 5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Avoid late enrollment penalties. Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
- 6. Social Security Administration. Checklist for Online Medicare, Retirement, & Spouses Applications. Accessed Sep 11, 2025.
