Q: If I didn’t get enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically, when can I enroll?

If you didn’t get automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A (for example, because you’re still working and not yet getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits), you can sign up for premium-free Part A (if you’re eligible) any time during or after your Initial Enrollment Period begins. If you’re eligible for premium-free Part A, you can enroll in Part A any time after you’re first eligible for Medicare. Your Part A coverage will go back (retroactively) 6 months from when you enroll, but no earlier than the first month you’re eligible for Medicare. You can only sign up for Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Period.

Question 1

Will I get Part A and Part B automatically?

Accepted Answer

If you’re already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting
the first day of the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.)

If you’re under 65 and have a disability, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months.

If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease), you’ll get Part A and Part B automatically the month your Social
Security disability benefits begin.

If you’re automatically enrolled, you’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or 25th month of disability benefits, and you don’t need to pay a Premium for Part A (sometimes called “premium-free Part A”). Most people choose to keep Part B. If you don’t want Part B, let us know before the coverage start date on your Medicare card. If you do nothing, you’ll keep Part B and will have to pay Part B premiums through your Social Security benefits. If you choose not to keep Part B but decide you want it later, you may have to wait to enroll and pay a Penalty for as long as you have Part B.

Question 2

Will I have to enroll in Part A and/or Part B?

Accepted Answer

If you’re close to 65, but NOT getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare. Visit socialsecurity.gov/benefits/medicare to apply for Part A and Part B. You can also contact Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 to set up an
appointment. If you worked for a railroad, contact the RRB.

In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have a delay in getting Medicare Part B coverage in the future (in some cases over a year), and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B.

If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and you want Medicare, you’ll need to enroll. Contact Social Security to find out when and how to enroll in Part A and Part B. For more information, visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet, “Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services.”

Question 3

If I didn’t get enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically, when can I enroll?

Accepted Answer

If you didn’t get automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A (for example, because you’re still working and not yet getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits), you can sign up for premium-free Part A (if you’re eligible) any time during or after your Initial Enrollment Period begins.

If you’re eligible for premium-free Part A, you can enroll in Part A any time after you’re first eligible for Medicare. Your Part A coverage will go back (retroactively) 6 months from when you enroll, but no earlier than the first month you’re eligible for Medicare. You can only sign up for Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Period.

Question 4

What are the different enrollment periods?

Accepted Answer

Initial Enrollment Period
You can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, in most cases, your coverage begins the first day of your birthday month. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage will start the first day of the prior month.

If you enroll in and are paying for Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, the start date for your Part B coverage will be delayed.

Special Enrollment Period
After your Initial Enrollment Period is over, you may have a chance to enroll in Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period.

If you didn’t sign up for Part B (or Part A if you have to buy it) when you were first eligible because you have Group health plan coverage based on current employment (your own, a spouse’s, or a family member’s—if you have a disability), you can enroll in Part A and/or Part B:

• Anytime you’re still covered by the group health plan
• During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the coverage ends, whichever happens first.

Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a
Special Enrollment Period. This period doesn’t apply if you’re eligible for Medicare based on End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or you’re still in your Initial Enrollment Period.

Note: If you have a disability, and the group health plan coverage is based on a family member’s current employment (other than a spouse), the employer offering the group health plan must have 100 or more employees for you to get a Special Enrollment Period.

Question 5

What happens if I don't sign up for Medicare when I'm supposed to?

Accepted Answer

Remember, in most cases, if you don’t enroll in Part A (if you have to buy it) and Part B when you’re first eligible, your enrollment may be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

You can sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period or during a Special Enrollment Period if you meet certain conditions. Additionally, you may have a gap in coverage if you don't have other insurance.

Question 6

How do I sign up for Medicare?

Accepted Answer

You can sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. You can also sign up during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you meet certain conditions.

To sign up for Medicare, you can:
*Visit the Social Security Administration's website to apply online here
*Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
*Visit a local Social Security office in person

When you sign up, you'll need to provide information such as your birth date, Social Security number, and address. You'll also need to choose whether to enroll in Original Medicare (Part A only -or- Part A and Part B).

If you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you'll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65.

Don’t Miss Out on Medicare: Find your enrollment dates effortlessly with this easy-to-use tool.

When are you turning 65?

Frequently Asked Questions

How it works

Learn Medicare

Get Personalized Help

Enjoy Your Retirement

Medicare Educators

Does any of this ring a bell?

Time?

Trust?

Stressed?

Overwhelmed?

We’ve helped thousands of retirees With Medicare.

Don’t worry We’re here to help

Fact Checked