How To Enroll In Medicare: A 2024 Guide

Medicare, commonly referred to as Original Medicare, was created to ensure access to health care for older adults and people with certain disabilities and chronic illnesses. Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B: Part A covers inpatient hospitalization, skilled nursing facility stays for a limited amount of time, hospice care and home health care, and Part B covers outpatient care, such as preventative care visits with your health care providers and medically necessary services and supplies.

Unless you have a disability or chronic condition that deems you eligible for Medicare benefits ahead of the age requirement, the enrollment period for Original Medicare starts three months before your 65th birthday. If you already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your enrollment occurs automatically.

To enroll, simply visit the Social Security Administration’s website and complete the online application. Once submitted, you can track the status of your application online via the same website. You can also apply for Medicare benefits by calling 1(800) 772-1213 or visiting a Social Security office near you to apply. If you prefer the in-person route, it’s advised you make an appointment.

Once your Medicare enrollment period closes, you have to wait until the next annual open enrollment period (which runs from October 7 to December 15 each year) or a special enrollment period for which you’re eligible to enroll or otherwise incur fee penalties for late enrollment.

Many older adults need additional coverage for health services that Medicare Part A and Part B don’t provide, such as vision, dental, hearing and prescription drugs benefits. Medicare Advantage plans, on the other hand, can include all these other benefits and more, says Robyn Pate, an insurance broker based in Atlanta.

Older adults can find information about various Medicare Advantage plans online via Medicare.gov or directly from the health insurance companies providing the plans. You may receive information about various Medicare Advantage plans through the mail as well, says Pate. An insurance broker can also help you research the plans available to you to help find the best fit.

Once you’re approved for Original Medicare by Social Security, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan via Medicare.gov, directly with the insurance provider or with the assistance of a broker. Beyond your initial enrollment period, the annual enrollment period begins on January 1 and ends on March 31 each year.

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Many older adults take medications that are expensive to pay for out of pocket and thus may benefit from an optional prescription drugs coverage plan, or Medicare Part D.

Similar to Medicare Advantage, these plans are provided by private health insurance companies. You can browse plans for which you’re eligible via Medicare.gov or by working with an independent insurance broker in your area. It’s important to pay close attention to the drug formularies (lists of covered medications) to make sure the prescription drugs you take (and the doses at which you take them) are covered by any plan you’re considering.

Once you’re approved for Original Medicare by Social Security, you can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan via Medicare.gov, directly with the insurance provider or with the assistance of a broker. Beyond your initial enrollment period, the annual enrollment period begins on October 15 and ends on December 7 each year.

Referred to as “a la carte plans” by Pate, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are for individuals who are more concerned with out-of-pocket costs than high monthly premiums. Designed to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, Medigap plans are provided by private health insurance companies to help cover copays and out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. Benefits don’t include prescriptions, vision, dental or hearing coverage.

As with other Medicare coverage beyond Part A and Part B, Medicare Supplement plans are available to you after your Original Medicare application is approved. You can browse and enroll in Medigap plans via Medicare.gov, directly with the insurance provider or with the assistance of a broker. You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan during a six-month period that starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and once you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Pate advises older adults looking for Medicare information online to be careful when clicking through websites that ask for your phone number before providing access to plan information. Use similar caution if you choose to respond to phone, television or mailed advertisements. You may start receiving high-pressure sales pitches from individuals who can misrepresent Medicare plans.

Instead, protect your personal information, and if you need help, speak with advisors whom you trust.