By now, you’ve determined that you need Medicare, so let’s look at some scenarios of how and when to sign up for Original Medicare.
You receive Social Security Income
If you are on Social Security Income, and you are turning 65 sometime over the next three months. The good news is that you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and won’t have to do a thing.
If you’ve been on SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) for 24 months, you will automatically receive your Medicare Part A and B card in the mail. If you’re on Medicaid, there’s a good chance that the state will pay your Medicare Part B premium of $144. If you are not on Medicaid, but you are on your spouse’s/partner’s group health insurance, you can send back your card requesting to be taken off Medicare Part B.
If you never go longer than a month without group health insurance, then you will not have issues going onto Medicare Part B, and you will not have a penalty to pay. The key point is that you can’t go one month without being on that group plan. If your spouse loses a job, changes jobs, or retires, you will have to enroll in Part B immediately to avoid paying the penalty. You could always cancel that coverage later if you go back on group health insurance.
You don’t receive Social Security Income
You are turning 65 within the next three months, but you are not on Social Security Income (SSI), and you are not going to enroll in SSI at this time. You need to enroll in Medicare Part A & B either online or by calling the Social Security office. Note that since you’re not on SSI, you’ll have to pay the Medicare part B premium of $144 a month out of your pocket.
If you choose to enroll online:
- Go to their website at www.ssa.gov.
- You will need to create an account unless you already have one.
- Once your account is set up, go to the original screen on www.ssa.gov.
- Click on the Menu button (towards the top middle/right side in 2020)
- The first section listed is “Benefits.” Select “Medicare” beneath Benefits (2020 location).
- Click on the blue button that says, “Apply for Medicare.”
- First, you will need to enroll in Part A. Follow the instructions to do that.
- Next, you must also apply for Part B. There’s an opportunity to complete that second application once you have completed Part A.
- If you choose to call the Social Security office, call them at 1-800-772-1213.
They will give you an option to meet in person at a local Social Security Office, or they will schedule you for a telephone call appointment to enroll you over the phone. Choose the option that works best for you. It’s not uncommon to have to wait 3-4 weeks for your appointment and then wait another 3-4 weeks to get your Medicare card with your new Medicare number on it.
Make sure to leave yourself at least two months before you turn 65 to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan, a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
You delayed enrolling for Part B
You are older than 65, and you’ve waited to enroll in Medicare Part B. This usually happens because you have been on group insurance through a company you were working for or a company your spouse/partner was working for. There can be other reasons you are now deciding to transition into Medicare Part B. For example, maybe it’s time for retirement, or you have discovered that you’re paying too much for group insurance and would like to go on to Medicare. Whatever the reason, you will need two forms from the Social Security office.
Form 40B is a form you will sign requesting that you be put onto Medicare Part B. Under “Notes,” list the start date you would like your Part B to start. This always begins on the first of any month.
Form L564 is a form to verify employment. This form must be filled out by someone from the company that provides your current health insurance. This is where either you or your spouse/partner are currently working. The form confirms that you or your spouse/partner is an employee and that you’ve been covered under their group health for a specified period. This will allow you to enroll in Medicare during SEP, a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B.
