Medicare Explained
When & Where Do you apply for Medicare?When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B (Original Medicare). If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during a 7-month period. This is your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) It begins 3 months before your birthday month, the month you turn 65 and the 3 months after your birth month. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B without an additional application. There are three ways to apply for Medicare.
- Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.
- By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7AM to 7PM.
- In-person at your local Social Security office.