Step 2

Ready to sign up for Part A & Part B

Contact Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) to sign up for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) . Why don’t I contact Medicare to sign up for Part A and Part B?

You don’t need to create a Medicare account to sign up. After you sign up and get your Medicare Number, you can create your secure Medicare account. You can also join a plan or buy supplemental insurance to get more coverage.

You can only sign up for Part B (or Part A if you have to pay a premium for it) at certain times. Learn about Part A & Part B sign up periods.

I want to sign up for only Part A or both Part A & Part B

Once you’re eligible to sign up for Medicare (usually 3 months before you turn 65), you have 2 options:

Sign up to get only Medicare coverage.
Apply to start getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Once you’re approved to start getting benefits, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage. You’ll choose if you want Part B coverage when you apply for benefits.

Once you sign up (or are approved for benefits), you’ll get a welcome package with your Medicare card.

When you’re ready, contact Social Security to sign up:

Apply online (at Social Security ) – This is the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. You’ll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for Social Security benefits online.
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 don’t qualify for Part A without having to pay a monthly premium, you might be able to buy Part A. To buy Part A, you must also sign up for Part B.

I have Part A & want to add Part B

Contact Social Security to sign up for Part B:

Fill out Form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B). Send the completed form to your local Social Security office by fax or mail.
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.

Signing up because you’re retiring or lost job-based coverage:
To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period , you’ll also need to have the employer fill out a Form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information).

If the employer can’t fill it out, complete Section B of the form as best you can, but don’t sign it. You’ll need to submit proof of job-based health insurance. Forms of job-based health insurance proof:
You can apply online (at Social Security) - select “Already Enrolled in Medicare” from the menu. Or, fax or mail your forms to your local Social Security office.

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.