How to sign up for Medicare

Step 1: Check whether you'll be enrolled automatically

If you're already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least 4 months before you turn 65, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically, and your card will arrive about 3 months before your birthday month. People who get disability benefits are enrolled automatically after 24 months.

If you're automatically enrolled and want to delay Part B because you have coverage from a current job, follow the instructions that come with your card to decline it.

Step 2: If not, apply through Social Security

You can apply for Parts A and B:

• Online at ssa.gov.
• By phone with Social Security.
• In person at a local Social Security office.
• Through the Railroad Retirement Board, if you worked for a railroad.

What you may need

• Your Social Security number and date and place of birth.
• Information about your current health coverage, if any.
• If you're signing up later because of job-based coverage: form CMS-40B (Part B application) and CMS-L564, which your employer completes to show you had group coverage.
• Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residence, if Social Security asks for it.

Step 3: Choose how you'll get the rest of your coverage

Enrolling in A and B gives you Original Medicare. From there, you can add a Part D drug plan and, if you want, a Medigap policy. Or you can join a Medicare Advantage plan, which replaces how you get Parts A and B and usually includes drug coverage. Plans are chosen through Medicare.gov, the plan itself, or an agent or broker.

Timing matters: you generally need to join a drug plan during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid the Part D penalty, and your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the month your Part B starts.