How to sign up for social security and medicare

If you are 65 but are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

Signing up for Medicare

Follow the steps below if you need to actively enroll in Medicare.

If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by:

• Visiting your local Social Security office
• Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213
• Mailing a signed and dated letter to Social Security that includes your name, Social Security number, and the date you would like to be enrolled in Medicare
• Or, by applying online at www.ssa.gov

If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, enroll in Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or contacting your local RRB field office.

Keep proof of when you tried to enroll in Medicare, to protect yourself from incurring a Part B premium penalty if your application is lost.

• Take down the names of any representatives you speak to, along with the time and date of the conversation.
• If you enroll through the mail, use certified mail and request a return receipt.
• If you enroll at your local Social Security office, ask for a written receipt.
• If you apply online, print out and save your confirmation page.

Related Answers

• How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65 without Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits

  Generally, we advise people to sign up for Medicare when they’re first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and/or late enrollment penalties. For most people, Medicare eligibility starts three months before turning 65 and ends three months after turning 65. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B (you don’t need to apply). However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. You’ll get your Medicare card about three months before you turn 65. (Note: Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries won’t get Part B automatically. They must sign up for this benefit.)

  If you don’t get Medicare automatically, here are some ways to sign up*:

  • Online (at Social Security) – You’ll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.
  • Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
  • Contact your local Social Security office.
  • If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

  *When you sign up for Medicare, you can also apply for Social Security benefits at the same time if you want.

  Note: If you don’t sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period (January 1-March 31 each year) to sign up, and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. Learn more about when Medicare coverage starts including special enrollment periods.

  NOTE: Your IEP lasts for 7 months. It begins 3 months before your 65th birthday (or 25th month of disability) and ends 3 months after you reach 65 (or 3 months after the 25th month of disability).

  WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION?

  You will need:

  • Your Medicare Number
  • Your current address and phone number
  • Form CMS-L564 ”Request for Employment Information” completed by your employer if you’re signing up in a SEP.

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Send your completed and signed application to your local Social Security office. If you sign up in a SEP, include the CMS-L564 with your Part B application. If you have questions, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

  HOW DO YOU GET HELP WITH THIS APPLICATION?

  • Phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
  • En español: Llame a SSA gratis al 1-800-772-1213 y oprima el 2 si desea el servicio en español y espere a que le atienda un agente.
  • In person: Your local Social Security office. For an office near you check www.ssa.gov.

  REMINDERS

  • If you sign up for Part B, you must pay premiums for every month you have the coverage.
  • If you sign up after your IEP, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty (LEP) of 10% for each full 12-month period you don’t have Part B but were eligible to sign up.

  You have the right to get Medicare information in an accessible format, like large print, Braille, or audio. You also have the right to file a complaint if you feel you’ve been discriminated against. Visit https://www.medicare.gov/about-us/accessibilitynondiscrimination-notice, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

  CMS-40B (04/19)

   

  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
  CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

  Form Approved
  OMB No. 0938-1230
  Expires: 02/20

  APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT IN MEDICARE PART B (MEDICAL INSURANCE)

  1. Your Medicare Number

  2. Do you wish to sign up for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)? YES

  3. Your Name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name)

  4. Mailing Address (Number and Street, P.O. Box, or Route)

  5. City

  State

  Zip code

  6. Phone Number (including area code) () -

      

  7. Written Signature (DO NOT PRINT)

  8. Date Signed / /

   

  IF THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN SIGNED BY MARK (X), A WITNESS WHO KNOWS THE APPLICANT
  MUST SUPPLY THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BELOW.

  9. Signature of Witness

  10. Date Signed / /

   

  11. Address of Witness

  12. Remarks

  According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0938-1230. The time required to complete this information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: CMS, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.

  Can I sign up for Medicare at my local Social Security office?

  Other Medicare Enrollment Options To sign up, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You also may contact your local Social Security office. You can find your local Social Security office by using our Office Locator.

  Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

  You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.