How do I enroll in Medicare online?
Medicare enrollment runs through Social Security, not Medicare.gov. Here is the actual process, what you need on hand, and what it does not cover.
The application takes about fifteen minutes and it is genuinely straightforward. The confusing part is that you do not apply at Medicare.gov. You apply at Social Security.
Where to go
Enroll at ssa.gov. Social Security administers Medicare enrollment even though the program is run by CMS. Medicare.gov is where you compare plans afterward, not where you sign up for A and B.
You can also call Social Security or go into the local office. If your situation involves anything unusual, in person is worth the trip.
What to have ready
- Your Social Security number
- Your date and place of birth
- If you were not born in the United States, your permanent resident card or naturalization information
- Employer name and dates if you are enrolling after 65 because employment coverage ended
- Your bank information if you want the Part B premium drafted rather than deducted
You do not need to have chosen a plan yet. This step is only Part A and Part B.
The choice inside the application
You will be asked whether you want Part B. Think about this before you click.
- Taking both A and B is the standard choice for anyone not covered by active employment.
- Taking A only makes sense if you are still working with qualifying employer coverage, with one exception: if you contribute to an HSA, even Part A alone stops your contributions.
See working past 65 for how to decide.
What happens next
- You get a confirmation number. Save it.
- Social Security processes the application, usually within a few weeks.
- Your red, white and blue Medicare card arrives by mail with your Medicare number and your start dates for A and B.
- Only then can you enroll in a Part D plan, a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy, because all of those require your Medicare number.
The card is the bottleneck. Nothing else can be set up until it arrives, which is another reason to apply in the first three months of your window rather than the last.
What enrolling online does not do
Applying at Social Security gets you into Original Medicare. It does not give you drug coverage, it does not cap your 20 percent, and it does not add dental or vision.
Those are separate decisions made after your card arrives, and they are the decisions that actually determine what you pay all year. Read Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage before your card shows up, not after.
If you are already drawing Social Security
Then you do not apply at all. Enrollment in A and B is automatic and the card arrives roughly three months before your 65th birthday. Watch the mail, because a card that gets thrown out with the junk mail creates a real headache.
Common follow-up questions
Do I apply at Medicare.gov?
No. Enrollment is at ssa.gov through Social Security. Medicare.gov is for comparing plans after you have your number.
Can I enroll in a drug plan at the same time?
Not in the same application. You need your Medicare number from the card first, which is why applying early in your window matters.
Do I have to visit an office?
Not usually. Online handles most situations. Go in person if you are enrolling late, coordinating with employer coverage, or appealing an IRMAA determination.
Want this looked at properly?
We are an independent agency in McAllen serving Hidalgo, Cameron and Starr counties. No cost to talk it through.
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