Jeffrey Wade
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Signing up for Medicare can be done online, over the phone, or with a paper application. If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S., you will need to sign up for Part B, as Part A is automatically given to those who start receiving retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before turning 65. If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to apply for Medicare in Tennessee | Apply online with the Social Security Administration, over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), or with a paper application |
| Who is eligible for Medicare in Tennessee | Individuals aged 65 and older, and some individuals with disabilities |
| Medicare parts | Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage) |
| Additional coverage | Medigap plans can be purchased to supplement Original Medicare and cover out-of-pocket costs; TennCare is the Medicaid program in Tennessee that may provide assistance for those who don't qualify for Medicare |
| Medicare Savings Programs | QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI programs that help with Part A and/or Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments |
| Protecting yourself | Guard your Medicare card and personal information; stay up to date with preventive services |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Parts A and B
Medicare Part A and Part B are often referred to as Original Medicare. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, lab tests, surgery, and home healthcare. Part B includes doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment.
You can sign up for Original Medicare at any Social Security office or online in about 10 minutes. You may need your Social Security card (or record of your number) and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. If you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, you will be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B. Social Security will send you Medicare information and a Medicare card before your birthday.
Once you have signed up for Original Medicare, you can enroll in Medicare Advantage during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, which includes the three months before your 65th birthday. You can also add, switch, or drop your plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15 through December 7 each year.
Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Part C) are offered by private insurance companies and provide all the basic coverage offered by Original Medicare, plus additional benefits. These plans often have $0 monthly premiums and maximum out-of-pocket costs. They may include benefits such as a fitness program and a prepaid card to help pay for over-the-counter health items, groceries, and utilities.
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Medicare Savings Program
Tennessee's Medicare Savings Program helps beneficiaries with limited financial means by covering their Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums. The program may also cover Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
To apply for the Medicare Savings Program in Tennessee, you can apply online, over the phone, or with a paper application. For help with the application process, you can call the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-877-801-0044.
It is important to note that eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program is based on income and resources. The income limits for this program are slightly higher in some states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Even if your income or resources exceed the federal limits, you may still qualify for these programs in your state as each state determines eligibility for its residents. Therefore, it is recommended to apply and let the state make the eligibility determination.
In addition to helping with Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, the Medicare Savings Program also assists with prescription drug costs. As of 2025, you will pay no more than $12.15 for each drug covered by your Medicare drug plan.
Tennessee has specific provisions for beneficiaries under the age of 65, guaranteeing access to Medigap plans, which are optional coverage used to supplement Original Medicare. However, premiums for Medigap plans are significantly higher for individuals under 65.
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Medicare costs and late fees
In Tennessee, Medicare beneficiaries with limited financial means can receive assistance through the state's Medicaid program. The state's Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses and oversees health insurers, brokers, and agents, providing guidance and assistance to consumers.
Medicare costs in Tennessee can be supplemented by Medigap plans, which are optional coverage plans. Tennessee law guarantees access to Medigap plans for enrollees under 65, but premiums are significantly higher for this age group. Federal rules also do not guarantee access to Medigap plans for those under 65, although Tennessee is among a majority of states that have adopted rules to ensure at least some access to these plans.
Tennessee residents can apply for Medicare Savings Programs like QMB or SLMB, which may help pay for Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. These programs can be applied for online, over the phone, or with a paper application. The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can be contacted for help with Medicare costs, and their number is 1-877-801-0044.
Regarding late fees, Medicare beneficiaries who do not sign up during the initial enrollment period may face late enrollment penalties. For Part B, the penalty is 10% for each full 12-month period that the beneficiary could have had Part B but didn't, in addition to the standard monthly premium. For Part D, the penalty is calculated based on the "national base beneficiary premium," which was $36.78 in 2025. This penalty amount may change annually and is added to the beneficiary's monthly premium for as long as they have Medicare drug coverage. For Part A, the penalty increases the longer one waits to sign up, based on how long they go without coverage similar to Medicare.
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Medicare for those under 65
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. However, those under 65 may be eligible for Medicare if they meet certain criteria. If you are under 65 and have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), you may be eligible for Medicare. In Tennessee, residents under 65 who are eligible for Medicare due to a disability have been protected by state law since 2011, which grants them access to Medigap plans.
Medigap plans are optional coverage that supplements Original Medicare, helping to cover some or all of the out-of-pocket medical costs that beneficiaries would otherwise incur. In Tennessee, Medigap insurers that offer plans to people aged 65 and older are required by law to offer the same plans to those under 65 who are eligible due to a disability. This law ensures that Tennessee residents under 65 have access to Medigap plans, although they may be charged higher premiums.
The process for applying for Medicare under the age of 65 due to a disability is similar to the standard Medicare application process. Individuals can apply online, over the phone, or with a paper application. Additionally, Tennessee offers the Medicare Savings Program, which can help with Medicare costs. This program can assist with Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and individuals can apply through the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) by calling 1-877-801-0044.
It is important to note that the six-month enrollment window for Medigap plans begins when an individual is enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this enrollment window, coverage is guaranteed, and premiums cannot vary based on health. However, federal rules do not guarantee access to a Medigap plan for those under 65, even if they are eligible for Medicare due to a disability. As such, it is essential to understand the specific rules and regulations in Tennessee regarding Medicare and Medigap plans for individuals under the age of 65.
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Applying online
First, you'll need to create a secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits. You can do this online at the Social Security website. You'll need to provide basic information such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Once you have an account, you can log in and complete the Medicare application process.
If you are 65 or older, you can enroll online for Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you already have coverage through an employer group health plan. You can also sign up for Part B only if you already have Part A. It's important to note that if you don't sign up for Part B when you turn 65, you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
Additionally, you can review and sign up for Medicare Advantage and drug plans on Medicare.gov. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can call 800-772-1213 and inform the representative that you want to apply for Medicare due to ESRD.
If you have any questions or need assistance during the application process, you can call the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-877-801-0044. They can provide guidance and support with Medicare applications and costs.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for Medicare online, over the phone, or with a paper application.
Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. Medicare Part B covers medical insurance. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) is a private insurance option that covers hospital and medical costs. Medicare Part D covers prescription medications.
Medicare is typically for people aged 65 and over. However, if you are under 65, you may still be eligible if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65, giving you a total of 7 months to sign up.
Yes, if you do not sign up for Medicare Part B when you turn 65 or within 3 months of turning 65, you may have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
