How and when to apply for Medicare

Learn how Medicare works and how to sign up based on your situation. Find out where to get help with your benefits or replace your Medicare card.

What is Medicare, and how does it work?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 and over. If you are under 65, you may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Medicare is divided into four parts:

Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance.
- Learn about canceling Medicare Part A or Part B coverage, including its risks. Or, if you are ready to cancel your coverage, you can submit CMS Form 1763 to your local Social Security office.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) is a private insurance option that covers hospital and medical costs.
Medicare Part D covers prescription medications.

Learn more about Medicare, including:

How it works
How to prepare to sign up and submit a Medicare application

Find out what Medicare costs based on what coverage you choose.

Medicare enrollment in your 60s

There are several ways to enroll in Medicare, whether you plan to retire or keep working:

If you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits between age 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65.
If you apply for Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 or later, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security.
- The Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65 — a total of 7 months. You may have to pay a penalty if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you are not ready to receive Social Security benefits at 65 because you are still working, you can apply online for Medicare only. Or you may be able to wait until you retire to sign up during a special enrollment period. Learn more about how Medicare works if you are employed past age 65.

Read this important information explaining when to sign up for Medicare based on your situation.