How do I apply for Medicare?

If you’re currently incarcerated: Skip to the next question.

If you are not incarcerated and have never been enrolled in Medicare: Read on for details. How to apply depends on your individual situation.

    If you’re approaching age 65:

…AND already getting Social Security benefits: you’ll automatically get Parts A and B when you turn 65. About 3 months before you turn 65, you’ll get your Medicare card by mail. If you want Part D as well, you must sign up for that separately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.[1603]

…And NOT getting Social Security benefits (see PG. 478): you should apply for Medicare by contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).[1604]

    If you’re under 65 and have a disability:

…And you’re already getting disability benefits from Social Security; you’ll automatically get Parts A and B after 24 months of disability benefits.[1605] In the 25th month, you’ll get your Medicare card by mail. If you want Part D as well, you must sign up separately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.[1606]

…And you’re not getting disability benefits from Social Security, you should apply for SSDI (see PG. 483).

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    You can also enroll online using the Medicare Plan Finder: https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx.

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    You can also enroll online using the official Social Security website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/apply.html.

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    If you have permanent kidney failure, you can get Medicare earlier during your first 3 months of dialysis treatment; and other special rules apply to you. If you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS,” or Lou Gehrig’s disease), you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you start getting SSDI. Contact the Soc. Sec. Admin. at 1-800-722-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov for details about these special kinds of cases.

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    You can also enroll online using the Medicare Plan Finder: https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx.