How Do I Enroll in Medicare Online or by Phone?

Enrolling in Medicare may sound about as enjoyable as assembling furniture with instructions written in six languages. Fortunately, the actual process is usually much easier than people expect.

You can apply for Original Medicare online through Social Security, enroll over the phone, or schedule help through a Social Security office. After receiving Medicare Parts A and B, you can decide whether to keep Original Medicare, add a Medicare Supplement and Part D plan, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

The important thing is understanding that enrolling in Medicare itself and selecting a private Medicare plan are two separate steps.

This guide explains both steps, including where to apply, which phone numbers to call, what information you may need, and how to avoid common enrollment mistakes.

First, Determine Whether You Need to Enroll

Not everyone has to submit a Medicare application.

You will generally be enrolled automatically in Medicare Part A and Part B if you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65. Medicare will normally mail your welcome package and Medicare card before your coverage begins.

However, you will usually need to apply yourself if you are approaching age 65 and have not started receiving Social Security benefits.

This is increasingly common because many people wait until after age 65 to claim Social Security. Waiting to collect Social Security does not necessarily mean you should also wait to enroll in Medicare.

You may also qualify for Medicare before age 65 because of certain disabilities, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called ALS, or end-stage renal disease.

The official Medicare eligibility and enrollment information can help you determine whether you will be enrolled automatically or need to take action.

Understand What You Are Enrolling In

Before beginning an application, it helps to understand Medicare’s different parts.

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It generally helps cover:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care under qualifying circumstances
• Hospice care
• Certain home healthcare services

Most people qualify for premium-free Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for a sufficient period while working.

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It generally helps cover:

• Doctor visits
• Outpatient hospital services
• Preventive care
• Diagnostic testing
• Ambulance services
• Mental health services
• Durable medical equipment

Most beneficiaries pay a monthly Part B premium.

You enroll in Medicare Parts A and B through the Social Security Administration, not through a private insurance company.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription medications. Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

You can obtain drug coverage through a standalone Part D plan or, in many cases, through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription coverage.

Read our guide explaining what Medicare Part D plans cover before selecting a drug plan.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private Medicare-approved insurance company.

You must ordinarily have both Part A and Part B before joining a Medicare Advantage plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription coverage, and some offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, or over-the-counter allowances.

You can learn more by reading our comparison of Medicare Advantage versus Medigap.

How to Enroll in Medicare Online

For many people, applying online is the fastest and easiest option.

You can use Social Security’s official online Medicare application to apply for:

• Medicare Part A and Part B
• Medicare Part A only
• Medicare Part B only in certain situations

Social Security identifies its online application as the easiest and fastest way for many people to enroll.

The website will guide you through the process. You may need to create or sign into a secure my Social Security account.

Information You May Need

Before starting, gather the following information:

• Your Social Security number
• Your date and place of birth
• Information about your current health coverage
• Dates of present or previous employment
• Your spouse’s employment information, when applicable
• The date you want Medicare coverage to begin
• Evidence of employer coverage if applying during a Special Enrollment Period

Not every applicant will be asked for every item. However, having the information nearby can prevent you from having to stop halfway through the application and go hunting through a filing cabinet last opened during the Reagan administration.

What Happens After Applying Online?

After submitting your application, save or print the confirmation information.

You can use Social Security’s website to check the status of your application. Once your enrollment has been processed, you should receive information confirming your effective dates and your Medicare number.

Do not assume that clicking “submit” means every Medicare decision has been completed. You may still need to select prescription coverage, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Supplement coverage.

How to Enroll in Medicare by Phone

Some people are comfortable applying online. Others would rather speak with a human being, especially when employer insurance, retirement coverage, COBRA, or a delayed Part B enrollment is involved.

To enroll by phone, call the Social Security Administration at:

1-800-772-1213

Social Security representatives are generally available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in most U.S. time zones.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number:

1-800-325-0778

Tell the representative that you want to apply for Medicare Part A and Part B, Part A only, or Part B only.

Social Security may help you complete the application or arrange an appointment. Official phone enrollment information is available on the Social Security Medicare enrollment page.

Calling early in the day or later in the week may sometimes help reduce hold times, although wait times vary.

Should You Call Social Security or Medicare?

This confuses many people, and understandably so.

Call Social Security for:

• Enrolling in Medicare Part A
• Enrolling in Medicare Part B
• Questions about your Medicare eligibility
• Questions about your Part B effective date
• Replacing or correcting Social Security records
• Questions about your Part B premium deduction
• Applying for Part B after employer coverage ends

Call Medicare for:

• Questions about covered healthcare services
• Claims and billing issues
• Medicare Advantage or Part D information
• Comparing available health and drug plans
• Questions after your Medicare coverage has started

The main Medicare phone number is:

1-800-MEDICARE — 1-800-633-4227

Medicare representatives are generally available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except on certain federal holidays.

Here is the simple rule: Social Security enrolls you in Parts A and B. Medicare helps with Medicare coverage and plan information.

When Should You Enroll?

Most people first become eligible for Medicare around their 65th birthday.

Your Initial Enrollment Period usually lasts seven months:

• Three months before your 65th-birthday month
• The month you turn 65
• Three months after your birthday month

For example, if your birthday is in September, your Initial Enrollment Period generally runs from June 1 through December 31.

Enrolling during the three months before your birthday month usually gives Social Security enough time to process your application and helps prevent a gap in coverage.

For a more detailed explanation, read Medicare Initial Enrollment Period: What Happens If You Miss It?.

You can also use Social Security’s official Medicare enrollment-period tool to check when you should apply.

What Happens If You Are Still Working at 65?

You may be able to delay Part B without a penalty if you have qualifying group health coverage based on your or your spouse’s current employment.

But do not casually assume every employer plan allows you to delay Medicare.

The answer can depend on:

• Whether the coverage is based on current employment
• The size of the employer
• Whether Medicare becomes the primary payer
• Whether you are contributing to a Health Savings Account
• Whether the coverage is COBRA or retiree insurance

COBRA and retiree coverage generally are not treated the same as active-employment group coverage for purposes of delaying Part B.

Before postponing Medicare, speak with the employer’s benefits administrator and confirm the rules with Social Security.

You can also read Do I Have to Take Medicare Part B? for additional guidance.

Enrolling in Part B After Employer Coverage Ends

If you delayed Part B because you had qualifying employer group coverage, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

In many cases, you have an eight-month window beginning when the employment or employer coverage ends, whichever happens first.

You may be able to apply for Part B online through Social Security. Depending on your circumstances, you may need:

• Form CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B
• Form CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information
• Evidence showing that you had qualifying employer coverage

Visit Social Security’s official page for signing up for Part B only for the current application options and required documentation.

Do not wait until the eighth month unless absolutely necessary. Processing delays can create an avoidable break in coverage.

What If You Missed Your Enrollment Period?

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may be able to enroll during the General Enrollment Period.

The General Enrollment Period runs from:

January 1 through March 31 each year

Under current rules, coverage generally begins the first day of the month after you enroll.

You may also owe a Part B late-enrollment penalty. In most cases, the Part B penalty adds 10% to your premium for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not enroll.

The penalty may continue for as long as you have Part B.

That is why Medicare deadlines should never be treated like the expiration date on a jar of mustard. Missing one can cost considerably more.

Learn more in Missing Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period Can Cost You for Life.

What Do You Do After Receiving Parts A and B?

Once you have your Medicare number and effective dates, you must decide how you want to receive your coverage.

You generally have two broad paths.

Option One: Original Medicare

Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B.

You may also consider adding:

• A standalone Part D prescription drug plan
• A Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap

Original Medicare does not have an annual limit on your share of covered Part A and Part B expenses. A Medicare Supplement can help pay some of those costs, depending on the policy.

Option Two: Medicare Advantage

A Medicare Advantage plan provides your Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved insurance company.

Most plans include prescription drug coverage. Many also offer benefits not included in Original Medicare.

However, you must compare:

• Doctor and hospital networks
• Prescription formularies
• Copayments
• Prior-authorization requirements
• Annual out-of-pocket limits
• Additional benefits
• Rules for receiving care outside the plan’s service area

Medicare recommends checking a plan’s doctors, pharmacies, drug coverage, costs, and service area before joining.

At MedicareSelfEnroll.com, you can review available options privately and at your own pace.

Can You Enroll in a Medicare Plan Online?

Yes.

Once you are eligible and have the Medicare coverage required by the plan, you may enroll in many Medicare Advantage and Part D plans online.

You can use the official Medicare Plan Finder or compare available options through MedicareSelfEnroll.com.

Before enrolling, enter all your prescriptions and verify:

• The exact drug name
• Dosage
• Quantity
• Frequency
• Preferred pharmacy

A plan with a lower monthly premium is not automatically the least expensive plan. Prescription costs, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and network restrictions can matter much more than the premium alone.

Common Medicare Enrollment Mistakes

Assuming You Will Be Enrolled Automatically

Automatic enrollment generally depends on whether you are already receiving qualifying Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

Check rather than guess.

Calling a Private Insurance Company to Enroll in Parts A and B

Private companies do not process your Original Medicare application. Parts A and B enrollment is handled through Social Security.

Delaying Part B Without Verifying Employer Coverage

An insurance card in your wallet does not automatically mean you can safely delay Part B.

Confirm that your coverage qualifies.

Ignoring Part D Because You Take No Prescriptions

Part D is optional, but going without Part D or other creditable drug coverage for 63 consecutive days or more may result in a late-enrollment penalty later.

A low-cost drug plan may protect you from both future medication expenses and a possible penalty.

Selecting a Plan Without Checking Doctors and Drugs

A plan may look wonderful in an advertisement but become considerably less wonderful when your cardiologist is out of network or your medication is not covered.

Always check the details before enrolling.

A Simple Medicare Enrollment Checklist

Before completing the process, make sure you have:

• Confirmed whether you will be enrolled automatically
• Identified your Initial or Special Enrollment Period
• Applied for Medicare Parts A and B through Social Security
• Verified your Medicare effective dates
• Received your Medicare number
• Listed your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions
• Compared Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
• Considered prescription drug coverage
• Reviewed premiums and total out-of-pocket costs
• Confirmed provider and pharmacy participation
• Saved copies of your enrollment confirmations

Final Thoughts

You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B online through the Social Security Administration or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Online enrollment is usually convenient and allows you to apply from home. Phone enrollment may be preferable when your circumstances involve employer coverage, delayed retirement, a Special Enrollment Period, or other complications.

After receiving Parts A and B, the job is not necessarily finished. You still need to decide how you will handle expenses that Original Medicare does not fully cover and how you will obtain prescription drug coverage.

Take your time, but do not miss your deadline.

At MedicareSelfEnroll.com, you can compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D options based on your ZIP code, doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, and budget.

Review your choices privately. Compare them carefully. Enroll when you are ready.

No pressure—just clear choices.

MedicareSelfEnroll.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Plan availability, premiums, provider networks, formularies, benefits, and cost-sharing vary by location and may change each year.