Jeffrey Wade
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, or with certain disabilities. To sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance), you'll need to contact the Social Security Administration. The easiest and fastest way to sign up is online, by creating a secure my Social Security account. Alternatively, you can call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772, or contact your local Social Security office by fax or mail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare website | Medicare.gov |
| Medicare phone number | 800-772-1213 |
| Medicare TTY phone number | TTY +1 800-325-0778 |
| Railroad Retirement Board phone number | 1-877-772-5772 |
| TTY users Railroad Retirement Board phone number | 1-312-751-4701 |
| Medicare enrollment age | 65 or older |
| Medicare eligibility | Permanent kidney failure, certain disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) |
| Medicare enrollment period | Begins 3 months before turning 65 and ends 3 months after the month of turning 65 |
| Medicare enrollment penalty | Pay a monthly late enrollment penalty |
| Medicare enrollment form | CMS-40B |
| Medicare card delivery time | About 2 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Online via Social Security
Signing up for Medicare online via Social Security is the easiest and fastest way to apply for Medicare and get any financial help you may need. To do this, you will need to create a secure my Social Security account. You will also need to decide whether you want to sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
If you are 65 or older, you can enrol online for Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you're already covered through an employer group health plan. If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or receive Disability benefits. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can call 800-772-1213 and tell the representative that you want to apply for Medicare. This line is available in most U.S. time zones, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., in English, Spanish, and other languages.
If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you will need to call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772. If you live outside the U.S., you may want to get Part B if you plan to return to the U.S. to get health care services. You can get help signing up for Part B if you live in a foreign country.
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In-person at your local Social Security office
If you prefer to apply for Medicare in person, you can do so by visiting your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest Social Security office by using your ZIP code to search for a Medicare-certified provider in your area.
When visiting your local Social Security office, be sure to bring all the necessary documentation to support your application. This may include proof of your age, citizenship or residency status, and income information. You may also need to provide information about your current health insurance coverage, if applicable.
If you are applying for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance), you will need to fill out Form CMS-40B. You can obtain this form from your local Social Security office or download it from the official website. Once you have completed the form, you can submit it to your local Social Security office by fax or mail.
If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part A and wish to sign up for Part B, you will need to fill out Form CMS-L564. This form should be completed by your employer and sent to your local Social Security office by fax or mail.
Additionally, if you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you may need to contact the Railroad Retirement Board directly by calling 1-877-772-5772. They can provide you with specific instructions and guidance on applying for Medicare in person.
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Over the phone by calling the Railroad Retirement Board
If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you can apply for Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at 1-877-772-5772. TTY users can call 1-312-751-4701. The RRB's toll-free telephone service provides customers with easy access to agency representatives. Through automated menus available 24 hours a day, you can find the address for the RRB office serving your area, listen to special announcements about the agency's benefit programs, and access other services.
If you are in the Original Medicare Plan, your hospital, doctor, or other healthcare provider should submit Part B claims directly to the Palmetto GBA Railroad Medicare Part B Office. If you have questions about Part B claims under the Original Medicare Plan, you can write to Palmetto GBA, or contact them by phone or online.
If you are receiving Railroad Retirement benefits or railroad disability annuity checks, the RRB should automatically enrol you in Medicare Parts A and B. You will receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail about two weeks after you sign up. Your Medicare card will say "Railroad Retirement Board" at the bottom.
You can also apply for Medicare online at Social Security, but if you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you must apply by calling the Railroad Retirement Board.
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Via fax by sending form CMS-40B to your local Social Security office
If you are unable to apply for Medicare online or by calling the Social Security Administration, you can apply via fax by sending form CMS-40B to your local Social Security office.
Form CMS-40B is the 'Application for Enrollment in Part B' Medicare form. You will need to fill this out if you already have Part A and want to sign up for Part B. You can also apply online or by mail. If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you may have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
Part A is Hospital Insurance, and Part B is Medical Insurance. You get Part A automatically once you start receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. You can choose whether you want Part B when you apply for benefits.
To apply for Medicare, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration. You can apply online, by phone, or by sending form CMS-40B to your local Social Security office by fax or mail. The easiest and fastest way to sign up and get financial aid is to apply online.
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Via mail by sending form CMS-40B to your local Social Security office
If you already have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and are eligible to enrol in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) because you're covered under a group health plan (GHP) based on current employment, you can apply via mail. To do so, you must complete and send Form CMS-40B, the "Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B (Medical Insurance)", to your local Social Security office.
You can find your local Social Security office by clicking on the "SSA Office Locator" under the "Related Links" section of the CMS website. Alternatively, you can call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 if you or your spouse worked for a railroad.
Along with your CMS-40B form, you will need to submit proof of employment and group health plan coverage. You will also need to complete and submit Form CMS-L564, the "Request for Employment Information", to provide the Social Security Administration with proof of your eligibility to sign up for Part B.
If you are still working, have retired within the last eight months, or have lost job-based health coverage within the last eight months, you will need to fill out and submit the CMS-L564 form alongside your CMS-40B application form.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for Medicare online at Social Security. You will need to create a secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.
If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
If you live outside the U.S., you can sign up for Part B. You get Part A automatically.
Call 800-772-1213 and tell the representative you want to apply for Medicare because you have ESRD.
Call TTY +1 800-325-0778.
