How to Sign Up – A Guide to Enrolling in Medicare

Turning 65 is the trigger point for the vast majority of Americans to enroll in Medicare. The milestone birthday sets the stage for your initial enrollment period (IEP) during which you can enroll, it’s important to be aware of dates and requirements to ensure you don’t pay a penalty for not signing up on time.  Anyone that is age 65, or almost 65, and already claiming Social Security benefits will automatically be signed up for Medicare Parts A & B.

If you are not yet claiming your retirement or spousal benefits, you will need to enroll for just Medicare online, over the phone or in-person. You can use the Social Security Administration’s Checklist for Online Medicare, Retirement and Spouses Applications to determine what documents and information you’ll need to complete your enrollment application. Here is the information for each type of enrollment option:

Online – If you prefer to sign up online, you can visit the Social Security Administration’s online retirement application to apply. If you cannot complete it in one visit and need more time, you can save your application and return to it at any time through the same online retirement application link. Once completed, you can check the status of your application by logging into your Social Security Administration's account.

By Phone - If you prefer to enroll over the phone, you may do so by calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213; TTY users (800) 325-0778, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7AM and 7PM.

In Person - If you prefer to enroll in person, you may do so by visiting your local Social Security Administration office. You can find the location nearest you by using the Social Security Administration’s online office locator.

As always, if you have questions about how to factor healthcare costs into your financial plan or choosing the right options, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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