Can I Get Medicare at 55? Everything You Need to Know
Medicare is a vital health insurance program for older adults and certain individuals with disabilities in the United States. Traditionally, eligibility begins at age 65.
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How to Enroll in Medicare?
When you contact Medicareabc, enrolling in Medicare is simple. When you know how enrolling in Medicare is simple. It’s important to understand that enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B differs from enrolling in Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug plan), or Medicare supplement insurance.
We propose that you go to the Medicare.gov website, which contains software that can tell you if you are eligible for Medicare and when you may sign up. The Medicare Eligibility Tool is what it’s called.
How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65
When most people reach the age of 65, they are eligible to enroll in Medicare. Whether or whether they are getting retirement benefits when they enter their Initial Enrollment Period will affect how they enroll in Medicare (IEP).
- They will be automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B if they are receiving Railroad Retirement payments or Social Security retirement benefits.
- They must actively enroll in Medicare if they are not receiving Railroad Retirement benefits or Social Security retirement benefits.
If they are automatically enrolled in Medicare, they should not contact anybody; they will receive their Medicare card three months before their coverage begins.
They will also receive a letter explaining how Medicare works, and they will be informed that they do not need to enroll in Medicare because they were automatically enrolled and already have Medicare Parts A and B.
If they are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration will send them a card and package (SSA). If they are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, the Railroad Retirement Board will send them a letter and package.
We advise them not to reject Medicare Part B unless they or their spouse have current work-based insurance (job-based insurance).
If they do not have job-based insurance and refuse Medicare Part B, they may be charged a premium penalty if they need to enroll in Medicare later.
In addition, if their job-based insurance would pay secondary when they become eligible for Medicare, they might consider enrolling in Medicare to receive main coverage and pay less for their medical treatment.
You must enroll in Medicare if you are 65 years old and do not get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
If they are disabled and under the age of 65:
They will be automatically eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B beginning the 25th month of disability benefit entitlement if they are under the age of 65, disabled, and have been entitled to disability payments under the Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security for a period of 24 months. To enroll in Medicare, they don’t have to do anything.
They will get their Medicare card in the mail around three months before their Medicare eligibility date. (Note: they will get Medicare benefits the first month they receive Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security disability benefits, If they are under 65 and have Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS))
Call the Social Security Administration (local Social Security office) at 1-800-772-1213 for further information regarding enrollment, or go to the Social Security website. You may also look at the Medicare FAQs on Social Security’s website.
Check out the chart below for a fast overview of how to enroll in Medicare or Medigap plans, and continue reading for instructions on how to enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, as well as the three types of Medicare and Medigap plans.
Medicare Part A & B (Parts A & B) Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medicare Part C) Part D (Medicare Prescription Medication Plan) is a Medicare prescription drug plan. Supplemental Insurance for Medicare (Medigap)
How to Enroll
Original Medicare can be accessed on the Social Security website, by calling or visiting your local Social Security office (local Social Security office phone number: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html).
Directly enroll in the plan through our compare plan page or Medicare.gov.
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Part D plan.
Only commercial insurance firms offer Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D (Medicare prescription medication plan). You must enroll directly with the plan provider to be eligible for these plans; you can do so over the phone by calling (877) 255-0284, or by contacting us online.
How to Sign Up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)
- You must first enroll in Medicare Parts A and B.
- Call us to find out which insurance companies in your region provide Medicare Advantage plans.
- Learn more about the options that are available in your region by visiting our website or calling us at (877) 255-0284.
- Find the plan that best meets your health-care needs and enrol with the plan’s provider—by contacting us, going online, or speaking with an agent.
View Medicare Advantage plans
How to enroll in a Medicare advantage plan Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage)
- Enroll in a Medicare Part A or Part B plan first. (You do not need both to qualify for Medicare Advantage Plan Part D.)
- Contact us to learn about insurance companies in your region that supply Medicare Advantage Plan Part D (drug coverage).
- Explore the options available in your region by looking them up online or calling us at (877) 255-0284.
- Find the finest plan that meets your needs for health care benefits and contact us to enroll with the plan provider—by phone, online, or with an agent.
Check out the Medicare Part D plans available for additional benefits (drug coverage)
How to sign up for Medicare supplement insurance plans (Medigap)
Before we look at how to sign up for a Medicare supplement insurance plan, let’s have a look at the following:
When the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period
- It starts the month after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B.
- The open enrollment period is 6 months long and gives you the opportunity to join Medicare.
- During the open enrollment period, you have the opportunity to buy a plan and cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing health condition.
You can enroll in Medicare supplement insurance at any time, but your medical history is important.
Medigap insurance policies are unusual in that they may be applied for at any time throughout the year. However, depending on your medical history, you may be denied coverage or paid a higher premium.
In most jurisdictions, you can only buy a plan without being denied during your Medicare Supplement Initial Enrollment Period or if you have a Guaranteed Issue status. (This does not apply to residents of New York or Connecticut, where the Initial Enrollment period and Assured Issue are still in effect, and Medicare supplement plans are guaranteed to be accessible.)
Steps to enroll in a Medigap plan
Medigap policies are supplied by private insurance companies, and you must enroll directly with the insurance plan provider by contacting us.
The processes for enrolling in a Medigap plan are outlined here.
- Examine each Medigap coverage to see which one best meets your healthcare requirements.
- Find out whether insurance firms in your state provide Medigap policies and whether they sell the sort of policy you desire.
- To discover more about the plans available and the perks provided, call us or visit our compare plans page.
- Choose a Medigap plan and enroll with the provider directly over the phone, online, or with the help of an agent.
How do you change your Medicare coverage?
After the first time you enroll in Medicare, you can modify your insurance options. During a few limited Medicare enrollment periods, you can still make some adjustments to your Medicare coverage.
- The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7.
- For eligible life events, there is a Medicare Special Enrollment Period; dates vary depending on the qualifying event.
- The Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage is from January 1 through March 31.
Medicare Cards
Make cautious to secure your identity after you receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Your Medicare card carries a Medicare Number that is unique to you, so don’t share it with anybody.
If you haven’t received your Medicare card, it’s possible that something has to be altered, such as your postal address, which you can do by logging into or creating your own my Social Security account. Learn all you need to know about your Medicare card.
Already Enrolled in Medicare
Please call us at (877) 255-0284 if you have enrolled in Medicare Part A but have not yet enrolled in Medicare Part B.
If you’re applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of job or group health coverage, we’ll make it as simple as possible for you to enroll.
This is how to apply online:
During the Special Enrollment Period, you can submit your registration request in one of the following ways:
- Go to “Apply Online for Medicare Part B During a Special Enrollment Period” and complete CMS-40B and CMS-L564. Then attach your Group Health Plan or Large Group Health Plan evidence.
- Fax or mail your CMS-40B, CMS-L564, and secondary evidence to your local Social Security office (see list of secondary evidence below).
Please keep this in mind when filling out the CMS-40B and CMS-L564
- In the notes area of the CMS-40B form or online application, write “I want Part B coverage to begin (MM/YY).”
- If at all feasible, have your employer complete Section B.
- If your employer is unable to complete Section B, please fill out that section on behalf of your employer as best you can without your employer’s signature and submit one of the supplementary proof options below:
- Premiums for health insurance are reported on a tax return.
- Pre-tax medical contributions are reflected on W-2s.
- Pay stubs that show deductions for health insurance premiums.
- Cards for health insurance with a policy start date.
- Benefits paid by the GHP or LGHP are explained.
- Payment of health insurance premiums is shown on statements or receipts.
What Happens After I Apply?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is in charge of administering Medicare (CMS). They will send you a Welcome to Medicare packet along with your Medicare card after you have been enrolled.
You’ll also get a copy of the Medicare & You guide, which contains vital details about your Medicare coverage options.
frequently asked questions
How do I sign up for Medicare Part A only?
- If you’re not automatically enrolled (see question #5 for more on automatic enrollment):
- Online: You can apply for Medicare Part A only through the Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/. During the application process, you can choose Part A but decline Part B.
- By phone or in-person: You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office and inform them that you want Part A only.
- If you are automatically enrolled but want to drop Part B, follow the instructions on your Medicare card packet. Typically, that involves signing the back of the card and mailing it back to Medicare to indicate you do not want Part B.
How do I sign up for Medicare for the first time?
- Check if you’ll be automatically enrolled: If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits (at least four months before turning 65), you’re often automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
- Otherwise, enroll yourself:
- 7-Month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and continues for 3 months after.
- Ways to enroll:
- Online at the Social Security website.
- By phone: Call Social Security (1-800-772-1213, TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
- In person: Visit your local Social Security office.
How to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B together?
- During your Initial Enrollment Period (the same 7-month window above), you can enroll in both Part A and Part B at once.
- Online Application: On the Social Security application, select both Part A and Part B.
- By phone or in-person: Let the Social Security representative know you want both parts.
- Note: If you don’t sign up for Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period and don’t have other creditable coverage (for example, through an employer), you may face late enrollment penalties.
How do I get a Medicare number for the first time?
- Enroll in Medicare: Once your enrollment in Medicare is processed (whether automatically or because you applied), you’ll be assigned a Medicare number.
- Check your mail: You’ll receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card, which displays your Medicare number, by mail. It usually arrives a few weeks after your enrollment is approved.
- myMedicare.gov account: After you get your card, you can create an account at myMedicare.gov to view your Medicare number and manage your coverage online.
Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare at age 65?
- Yes, if:
- You’ve been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for at least four months before you turn 65. In this case, you’ll typically get Part A and Part B automatically.
- No, if:
- You’re not receiving those benefits, or you opted to delay them. In this case, you must actively sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid possible late enrollment penalties.
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