Traveling across the country in a small van

If you are not receiving a Social Security benefit due to age or disability, you will need to contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare. To enroll, visit the Social Security Administration website, call 1-800-722-1213, or go in person to your local Social Security office (currently closed due to COVID-19).

How do I enroll in Medicare for the first time?

I have Part A & want to add Part B – Contact Social Security to sign up for Part B:

• Call 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.

If you live outside the U.S.: You may want to get Part B if you plan to return to the U.S. to get health care services. Get help signing up for Part B if you live in a foreign country.

What is the income limit for Medicare in Maryland?

Income Eligibility – For the SLMB Program, the 2021 individual monthly income limit is $1,308, and the married couple monthly income limit is $1,762. For the QI Program, the 2021 individual monthly income limit is $1,469, and the married couple monthly income limit is $1,980.

1. 20 income disregard : If the $20 subtraction from the individual’s or couple’s gross income reduces the income to the number listed above, then the individual or couple probably qualifies for the benefit.
2. Check the Medicare website for the latest amounts.
3. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers the program, revises the SLMB benefits annually.

These figures are usually updated in April of each year and can be found in the Federal Register, the official government source for administrative changes.

What are the 3 requirements for Medicare?

Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment Medicare Part A and Part B Eligibility and Enrollment This page contains information on Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B eligibility and enrollment. For more information about Medicare for people who are still working, go to our Employer Page or I’m 65 and Still Working page.

Age 65 or older Disabled End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium for this coverage. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.

To receive premium-free Part A, the worker must have a specified number of quarters of coverage (QCs) and file an application for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. The exact number of QCs required is dependent on whether the person is filing for Part A on the basis of age, disability, or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

QCs are earned through payment of payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) during the person’s working years. Most individuals pay the full FICA tax so the QCs they earn can be used to meet the requirements for both monthly Social Security benefits and premium-free Part A.

1. NOTE: Certain Federal, State, and local government employees pay only the Part A portion of the FICA tax.
2. The QCs they earn can be used only to meet the requirements for premium-free Part A; they may not be used to meet the requirements for monthly Social Security benefits.
3. To be eligible for premium Part A, an individual must be age 65 or older and be enrolled in Part B.

Enrollment in premium Part A and Part B can only happen at certain times. (The section titled Enrollment Periods and When Coverage Begins explains the times when someone can enroll). More Information on Enrolling in Part A Individuals already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits at least 4 months before being eligible for Medicare and residing in the United States (except residents of Puerto Rico) are automatically enrolled in both premium-free Part A and Part B.

• People living in Puerto Rico who are eligible for automatic enrollment are only enrolled in premium-free Part A.
• Individuals who are not receiving a Social Security or RRB benefit are not automatically enrolled.
• These individuals must apply by contacting Social Security.
• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) The eligibility rules for Part B depend on whether a person is eligible for premium-free Part A or whether the individual has to pay a premium for Part A coverage.

Individuals who are eligible for premium-free Part A are also eligible for enroll in Part B once they are entitled to Part A. Enrollment in Part B can only happen at certain times. Individuals who must pay a premium for Part A must meet the following requirements to enroll in Part B:

Be age 65 or older; Be a U.S. resident; AND Be either a U.S. citizen, OR Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.

NOTE: Part B is a voluntary program which requires the payment of a monthly premium for all months of coverage. More Information on Enrolling in Part B Individuals already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits at least 4 months before being eligible for Medicare and residing in the United States (except residents of Puerto Rico) are automatically enrolled in both premium-free Part A and Part B.

People who are automatically enrolled have the choice whether they want to keep or refuse Part B coverage. People living in Puerto Rico who are eligible for automatic enrollment are only enrolled in premium-free Part A; they must actively enroll in Part B to get this coverage. Individuals who are not receiving a Social Security or RRB benefit are not automatically enrolled.

Individuals who previously refused Part B, or who terminated their Part B enrollment, may enroll (or re-enroll) in Part B only during certain enrollment periods. In most cases, if someone does not enroll in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) when first eligible, they will have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as they have Part B.

A person must be age 65 or older; and Be eligible for monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) cash benefits.

An individual who is receiving monthly Social Security or RRB benefits at least 4 months prior to turning age 65 does not need to file a separate application to become entitled to premium-free Part A. In this case, the individual will get Part A automatically at age 65.

An individual who is not receiving monthly Social Security or RRB benefits must file an application for Medicare by contacting the Social Security Administration. Part A coverage begins the month the individual turns age 65, provided he or she files an application for Part A (or for Social Security or RRB benefits) within 6 months of the month in which he or she becomes age 65.

If the application is filed more than 6 months after turning age 65, Part A coverage will be retroactive for 6 months. NOTE: For an individual whose 65th birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A coverage begins on the first day of the month preceding their birth month.

File an application to enroll by contacting the Social Security Administration; Enroll during a valid enrollment period; and Also enroll in or already have Part B.

To keep premium Part A, the person must continue to pay all monthly premiums and stay enrolled in Part B. This means that the person must pay both the premiums for Part B and premium Part A timely to keep this coverage. Premium Part A coverage begins prospectively, based on the enrollment period the person uses to apply for coverage.

Medicare Based on Disability A person who is entitled to monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits on the basis of disability is automatically entitled to Part A after receiving disability benefits for 24 months, Disabled Federal, State and local government employees who are not eligible for monthly Social Security or RRB benefits may get deemed entitlement to disability benefits and automatically entitled to Part A after being disabled for 29 months,

Special Rule for People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Individuals whose disability is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are entitled to Part A the first month they are entitled to Social Security or RRB disability cash benefits.

There is no waiting period. Special Rule for People Claiming Child Disability Benefits: SSA rules do not allow for child disability benefit to begin earlier than age 18. Therefore, Part A entitlement based on child disability benefit entitlement can never begin before the month the person attains age 20 (or age 18 if the individual’s disability is ALS).

Medicare Based on End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Individuals are eligible for premium-free Part A if they receive regular dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant, have filed an application for Medicare, and meet 1 of the following conditions:

Have worked the required amount of time under Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or as a government employee; or Are getting or are eligible for Social Security or RRB benefits; or Are the spouse or dependent child of a person who has worked the required amount of time under Social Security, the RRB, or as a government employee; or are getting Social Security or RRB benefits.

Part A coverage begins:

The 3rd month after the month in which a regular course of dialysis begins; or The first month a regular course of dialysis begins if the individual engages in self-dialysis training; or The month of kidney transplant; or Two months prior to the month of transplant if the individual was hospitalized during those months in preparation for the transplant.

Enrollment Periods and When Coverage Begins Individuals eligible for premium-free Part A can enroll in Part A at any time after they are first eligible for the coverage. Individuals who want premium Part A, Part B or both may only enroll during certain enrollment periods that are outlined in law. The following enrollment periods apply to both premium Part A and Part B:

Initial enrollment period General enrollment period, and Special enrollment period for the working aged, the working disabled, and international volunteers

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) The IEP is a 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month a person turns 65 and ends 3 months after the person turns 65. For someone under age 65 who becomes entitled to Medicare based on disability, entitlement begins with the 25 th month of disability benefit entitlement.

For these individuals, the IEP begins 3 months before the 25 th month of disability benefit entitlement, includes the 25 th month, and ends three months after. The IEP for people with ESRD and ALS varies based on their situation. Coverage begins based on when you enroll during the IEP. If a person enrolls in the first 3 months of the IEP, coverage begins the first month the person is eligible for Medicare.

If a person enrolls in any other month of the IEP, coverage will be delayed. Disabled individuals are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B after they have received disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months. NOTE: In most cases, if someone does not enroll in Part B or premium Part A when first eligible, they will have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

The Part B penalty is assessed for as long as the person has Part B. General Enrollment Period (GEP) The GEP takes place from January 1 through March 31 of each year. Part B and Premium Part A coverage begins July 1 of that same year. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Working Aged and Working Disabled,

Individuals who do not enroll in Part B or premium Part A when first eligible because they were covered under a group health plan based on their own or a spouse’s current employment (or the current employment of a family member, if disabled) may enroll during the SEP.

NOTE: Individuals with ESRD are not eligible to enroll during the SEP. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for International Volunteers Individuals who do not enroll in Part B or premium Part A when first eligible because they were performing volunteer service outside of the United States for at least 12 months on behalf of a tax-exempt organization and had health insurance that provided coverage for the duration of the volunteer service may enroll during this SEP. Policy for when enrollment for volunteers can occur The SEP for volunteers is the 6-month period that begins the earlier of the first day of the month following the month for which the:

individual was no longer serving as a volunteer outside of the United States; organization no longer has tax-exempt status; or individual no longer has health insurance that provides coverage outside of the United States.

NOTE: Enrollment in Part B or premium Part A may not occur prior to the end of the IEP. Termination of Enrollment Individuals entitled to premium-free Part A cannot voluntarily terminate their Part A coverage. This is not permitted by law. Generally, premium-free Part A ends due to:

Loss of entitlement to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits; or Death.

There are special rules for when premium-free Part A ends for people with ESRD. Premium Part A and Part B coverage can be voluntarily terminated because premium payments are required. Premium Part A and Part B coverage ends due to:

Voluntary disenrollment request (coverage ends prospectively);

Failure to pay premiums; For individuals under age 65 (disabled and ESRD), because their Part A entitlement ended (Part B terminates at the same time as Part A); or Death.

Premium Part A and Part B coverage requires payment of monthly premiums. IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) Individuals with income greater than $85,000 and married couples with income greater than $170,000 must pay a higher premium for Part B and an extra amount for Part D coverage in addition to their Part D plan premium.

This additional amount is called income-related monthly adjustment amount. Less than 5 percent of people with Medicare are affected, so most people will not pay a higher premium. Late enrollment penalty for premium Part A If an individual did not enroll in premium Part A when first eligible, they may have to pay a higher monthly premium if they decide to enroll later.

The monthly premium for Part A may increase up to 10%. The individual will have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years the individual could have had Part A, but did not sign up. Example: If an individual were eligible for Part A for 2 years but did not sign-up, the individual will have to pay the higher premium for 4 years.

Late enrollment penalty for Part B If an individual did not sign up for Part B when first eligible, the individual may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as the individual has Medicare. The individual’s monthly premium for Part B may go up 10% for each full 12-month period that the individual could have had Part B, but did not sign up for it.

Example: Ms. Green’s Initial Enrollment Period ended September 30, 2009. She did not decide to enroll in Part B until the General Enrollment Period in March 2013. Ms. Green’s Part B penalty is 20%. (While Ms. Green waited a total of 30 months to sign up, this included only 2 full 12-month periods.) NOTE: Usually an individual does not pay a penalty if the individual can meet certain conditions that allow the individual to sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a SEP.

How long before you turn 65 do you apply for Medicare?

What can I do next? – Generally, you’re first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. Avoid the penalty If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you might have to wait to sign up and go months without coverage.

How long does it take for a Medicare application to be approved?

How to Apply for Medicare Part A and Part B – Applying for Medicare Part A and Part B is easier than ever. Once you meet eligibility requirements, you are ready to choose from a variety of Medicare Part A and Part B plans in which to enroll. As we mentioned, some beneficiaries can receive automatic enrollment, and some must apply manually.

1. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
2. Fill out an online application at SSA.gov
3. Visit a local Social Security office in person

If you have previously been a railroad employee, you can enroll in Medicare by contacting the Railroad Retirement Board, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM at 1-877-772-5772. Medicare applications generally take between 30-60 days to obtain approval.

What is the highest income to qualify for Medicare?

What are the income limits for Medicare in 2023? – If you filed individually and reported $97,000 or less in modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) on your 2021 tax return, you won’t be charged higher rates for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription coverage) in 2023.

How much is Medicare in Maryland?

Medicare in Maryland by the Numbers

People enrolled in Original Medicare	Average plan cost	Annual state spending per beneficiary
921,171	Plan A: $0 to $499 per month * Plan B: $170.10 per month**	$10,340

What is the Medicare limit for 2022?

2022 updates – For 2022, an employee will pay:

6.2% Social Security tax on the first $147,000 of wages (6.2% of $147,000 makes the maximum tax $9,114), plus 1.45% Medicare tax on the first $200,000 of wages ($250,000 for joint returns; $125,000 for a separate return), plus 2.35% Medicare tax (regular 1.45% Medicare tax plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax) on all wages in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 for joint returns; $125,000 for married taxpayers filing a separate return).

For 2022, the self-employment tax imposed on self-employed people is:

12.4% OASDI on the first $147,000 of self-employment income, for a maximum tax of $18,228 (12.4% of $147,000); plus 2.90% Medicare tax on the first $200,000 of self-employment income ($250,000 of combined self-employment income on a joint return, $125,000 on a return of a married individual filing separately), plus 3.8% (2.90% regular Medicare tax plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax) on all self-employment income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 of combined self-employment income on a joint return, $125,000 for married taxpayers filing a separate return).

What is the cost of Medicare Part B?

Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) –

Medigap costs:	What you pay in 2022:
Premium	Varies based on which Medigap policy you buy, where you live, and other factors. The amount can change each year. You must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy.
Other costs	Medigap usually helps pay your portion of the costs (like deductibles and coinsurance) for services that Part A and Part B cover in Original Medicare. The amount you’ll pay for Part A and Part B services if you have a Medigap policy varies depending on the policy you buy. Some Medigap policies include extra benefits to lower your costs, like coverage when you travel out of the country.

Learn more about Medigap and its costs.

Why is my first Medicare bill so high?

Did You Delay Signing Up for Medicare? – If you delayed Medicare enrollment and did not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), your monthly premiums may be higher due to late enrollment penalties. American citizens qualify for Medicare when they turn 65.

1. You may also qualify before turning 65 if you have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease ).
2. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before your eligibility month and ends 7 months later.
3. So, if your birthday or 65th month of collecting disability is in June, your IEP begins March 1 and ends September 30.

The only people who are automatically enrolled in Medicare are those who were collecting either Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or Social Security benefits at least 4 months before their 65th birthday. Everyone else has to apply for Medicare, In addition, even those who are automatically enrolled in Medicare must choose to join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Do I need to notify Social Security when I turn 65?

If I want Medicare at age 65, when should I contact Social Security? If you want your Medicare coverage to begin when you turn age 65, you should contact Social Security during the 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you wait until your 65th birthday or later, your Part B coverage will be delayed.

What happens if you don’t apply for Medicare when you turn 65?

Avoid penalties for not signing up for Medicare Part B. – Generally speaking, you may have to pay a 10% surcharge on Medicare Part B premiums for each year you go without signing up for Medicare Part B coverage starting the month you’re eligible for coverage.1 You’ll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums as long as you have Part B.

The longer you wait to sign up for Part B coverage, the more the penalty continues to increase.1 Avoid these penalties by signing up for Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or, if it applies to you, your Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Learn more about Medicare at medicare.gov, and speak to a licensed insurance agent to get one-on-one help navigating the complexities of Medicare.

Sources:

1. medicare.gov, Part B late enrollment penalty, 2021
2. medicare.gov, When does Medicare coverage start?, accessed November 2021
3. medicare.gov, Working past 65, accessed November 2021

Are you automatically covered by Medicare at age 65?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment,) Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday.

1. Medicare Part A covers basic hospital visits and services and some home health care, hospice and skilled-nursing services.
2. If you are receiving or are eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you do not pay premiums for Part A.
3. Medicare Part B is akin to standard health insurance and carries a premium.

The base rate in 2022 is $170.10 a month ( dropping to $164.90 a month in 2023). Higher-income individuals pay more depending on the amount of income. You can opt out of Part B — for example, if you already have what Medicare calls “primary coverage” through an employer, spouse or veterans’ benefits and you want to keep it.

(Check with your current insurance provider to make sure your coverage meets the standard.) Opting out will not affect your Social Security status, but you might pay a penalty in the form of permanently higher premiums if you decide to enroll in Part B later. If you want to enroll in Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage ), an alternative to Part B that is provided by private insurers, you must sign up on your own.

The same goes for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage. You can find more information in Social Security’s “Medicare” publication and the Medicare website, or you can call Medicare at 800-633-4227.

What is the Medicare open enrollment period for 2022?

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, enrollees will have lower costs for insulin and free ACIP-recommended vaccines starting in 2023 People with Medicare should review their coverage and drug and health plan options through December 7, 2022 on Medicare.gov Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing that Medicare Open Enrollment begins tomorrow — Saturday, October 15 — and will remain open through December 7, 2022.

• Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives people with Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare (also referred to as Medicare Part A and Part B).
• Medicare plans can change their offerings and costs every year, and individuals’ health needs can change from year-to-year, too.

Now is the time for people with Medicare to review their coverage options and make a choice that best meets their health care needs. The Biden-Harris Administration has made expanding access to health insurance and lowering health care costs for America’s families a top priority.

Just last month the Biden-Harris Administration announced that people with Medicare will see lower average premiums for Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in 2023. This year, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden signed into law in August, Medicare enrollees will also see lower costs for insulin and vaccines beginning in 2023.

Starting in 2023, all people with Medicare who take insulin covered by their prescription drug plan or through a traditional pump covered under Original Medicare will pay no more than $35 in cost-sharing for a month’s supply of each covered insulin product.

People with Medicare also will not pay a deductible with respect to each covered insulin product. Additionally, people with Medicare drug coverage will pay nothing out-of-pocket for adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — including the shingles vaccine and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Whooping Cough vaccine.

More information on the Inflation Reduction Act and these changes is available at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/inflation-reduction-act-lowers-health-care-costs-millions-americans, “This year, more than ever, it is vital that people with Medicare review and compare their options to find the coverage that best meets their needs,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

1. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we are lowering the cost of insulin and vaccines for the more than 64 million people with Medicare.
2. The Biden-Harris Administration is unwavering in our commitment to strengthening Medicare, and we will keep doing all we can to lower costs and improve benefits.” “We are committed to providing comprehensive and easily accessible information to support people with Medicare in their decision making,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

“Medicare.gov makes it easier than ever to compare coverage options and shop for plans. People can do a side-by-side comparison of plan coverage, costs, and quality ratings to help them more easily see the differences between plans.” Since 2021, CMS has introduced a number of enhancements to Medicare.gov to optimize customer experience and create a more welcoming and user-friendly experience.

1. Improvements include a redesigned Medicare.gov home page, the addition of pricing details to the Medigap policy comparison, streamlined landing and summary on the Medicare Plan Finder, and a redesigned “Talk to Someone” section to find additional help and contacts.
2. All of these enhancements improve the overall experience, making it easier to navigate and access information to compare and select health and drug coverage and find providers.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period occurs every year from October 15 through December 7, with coverage changes taking effect January 1. Things to Consider When Shopping for Medicare Coverage

• There are two main ways to get your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (Medicare-approved plans from private companies). There are differences between the two that are important to understand when choosing your coverage.
• If you are selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, check with your health care providers to confirm they are in a plan’s network.
• If you are selecting a Medicare prescription drug plan, check if your prescriptions are included on a plan’s formulary.
• Remember that a low monthly premium may not always be the best overall value to meet your specific needs.
• Review a plan’s estimated total costs to you, including deductible and other out-of-pocket costs.
• If you take insulin, there is a new out-of-pocket cap on a month’s supply of each insulin product when covered by a prescription drug plan or under Original Medicare. Talk to someone for help comparing plans by calling 1-800-MEDICARE,

Medicare is Here to Help Here are four ways you can compare plans and look at savings options:

1. Go to Medicare.gov to learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and do side-by-side comparisons of costs and coverage for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans.
2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends.
3. Access personalized health insurance counseling at no cost, available from State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE for each SHIP’s phone number. Many SHIPs also offer virtual counseling.
4. Check eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs. If you have limited income and resources, you could qualify for Medicare Saving Programs run by your state Medicaid program. These programs could help save you money on health and prescription drug costs and/or could reduce your Part B premium from $165 to $0. For more information, contact your state Medicaid program or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask about Medicare Savings Programs.

For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends.

Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?

It depends. If you’re receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at least four months before you turn 65, you do NOT need to sign up; you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month that you turn 65.

What is the cost for Medicare Part B?

Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) –

Medigap costs:	What you pay in 2022:
Premium	Varies based on which Medigap policy you buy, where you live, and other factors. The amount can change each year. You must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy.
Other costs	Medigap usually helps pay your portion of the costs (like deductibles and coinsurance) for services that Part A and Part B cover in Original Medicare. The amount you’ll pay for Part A and Part B services if you have a Medigap policy varies depending on the policy you buy. Some Medigap policies include extra benefits to lower your costs, like coverage when you travel out of the country.

Learn more about Medigap and its costs.

Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare if you are on Social Security?

How do I sign up for Medicare? · FAQ | SSA If you already get Social Security benefits, we’ll automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). We’ll mail you all the information you need a few months before you become eligible. Note : Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries won’t automatically receive Part B. They must elect this benefit.

If you don’t get Social Security benefits and are not ready to apply for them yet, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65 th birthday. If you don’t wish to apply online, make an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ), 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Important Information about Medical Insurance (Part B) Coverage More Information

The easiest way to apply for Medicare is by using our, Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down. However, if you decide to sign up for Part B later, your coverage can be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage.