Signing up for Medicare

There are two ways to sign up for Medicare: automatic enrollment or applying for Medicare.

Automatic Enrollment

If you’re already getting Social Security benefits or railroad retirement checks before you turn 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

You’ll receive your red, white and blue Medicare card three months before your 65th birthday and your Medicare will be effective the first day of the month you turn 65. For example, if your birthday is June 5, your Medicare would be effective on June 1.

Applying for Medicare

If you’re not already getting Social Security benefits, you should contact Social Security about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. When you are first eligible for Medicare, you have a seven-month period to sign up.

This seven-month period is called your Initial Enrollment Period and begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn 65 and ends three months after you turn 65. After you enroll in Medicare, you’ll receive your red, white and blue Medicare card. Keep your card in a safe place so you’ll have it when you need it.

You can apply for Medicare Parts A and Part B online at ssa.gov, visit your local Social Security office or call Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) if you worked for a railroad. After you’ve enrolled in Medicare Parts A and Part B, you can decide how you want to get your Medicare coverage