If you aren’t automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, you will need to manually enroll. The sign-up process starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and lasts until 3 months after your birthday.

Applying for Medicare can feel like a milestone, but sometimes a confusing one. With multiple parts, deadlines, and enrollment periods, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the process is actually straightforward once you know the steps.

If you already receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B about four months before your 65th birthday and will get your Medicare card in the mail. You can then choose to add Medicare Part D or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) during your initial enrollment period.

If you’re not automatically enrolled, you’ll need to apply for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and any extra coverage you want. Your enrollment window depends on your employment status and coverage choices. Here’s a breakdown of how to apply for the various parts of Medicare and when you need to begin.

Before you begin the process of enrolling in Medicare parts A and B, you might consider what kind of Medicare coverage you ultimately need. These steps will help you prepare:

  1. Find out if you were automatically enrolled in either Part A or Part B of Original Medicare.
  2. Decide whether you want Part B or if you’d like to defer enrollment.
  3. Review the Medicare Advantage plans in your area to see if their coverage options and costs are better than those of Original Medicare.
  4. If you stay with Original Medicare, consider your Part D options and whether a Medigap plan would benefit you.

The SSA provides a checklist for Medicare applications that may be helpful. It lists the records you’ll need for the process, including proof of military service, tax forms, and W-2s. Once you have all the information you need to apply, you can begin the process of signing up.

You have several ways to enroll in Original Medicare:

  • Online: You can visit SocialSecurity.gov to begin enrollment.
  • By phone: Call SSA at 800-772-1213 (or 800-325-0718 for TTY), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • In person: Visit your local SSA office; you can find it through the SSA office locator.
  • By mail: You can send a letter to your local SSA office with your name, Social Security number, and the date you’d like to enroll. They will send you the necessary information and any additional enrollment requests.

If you already receive benefits from SSA or RRB, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare. If you have questions or want to discuss your coverage, you can call RRB at 877-772-5772 (or 312-751-4701 for TTY), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is a private bundled health insurance plan. It offers the same coverage as parts A and B. It often provides prescription coverage as well. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover vision, dental, and other healthcare benefits.

This plan may cap your out-of-pocket costs yearly, which can be helpful if you expect to have significant healthcare expenses.

But a Medicare Advantage plan will be an additional cost on top of any premiums you pay for other parts of Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage plans will cover some or all of your Medicare Part B premium costs. Weigh your healthcare needs with the costs of coverage when deciding which parts of Medicare are right for you.

If you want to enroll in Medicare Advantage, you can sign up during your initial enrollment period. You can also change your selections during Medicare’s open enrollment period from October 15 through December 7. If you sign up outside these times, you may pay a late enrollment fee, and your coverage won’t begin until July 1.

You have two ways to sign up for Medicare Part C:

  • Online: Shop for Part C plans with Medicare.gov’s plan finder tool.
  • With a private company: Insurance companies offer Part C plans, and you can enroll directly with them via their website or by phone.

Enrollment in Medicare Part D is not automatic for anyone. If you want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to select and purchase a Medicare Part D plan.

It’s important to note that you need to sign up for a Part D plan as an add-on to Original Medicare (parts A and B). Since Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include drug coverage, you don’t need to enroll separately for drug coverage if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.

You can enroll in Medicare Part D during your initial enrollment period, a 7-month window around your 65th birthday. If you don’t enroll during that time, you can sign up later, but you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

You may also be able to enroll during the open enrollment period, which is from October 15 through December 7.

If you want to enroll in Medicare Part D, you have several ways to do so:

  • By phone: You can call 800-633-4227 (or 877-486-2048 for TTY).
  • Online: Use Medicare.gov’s plan finder tool to compare Part D plans available in your area.
  • Contact a private insurance company: You can also contact private insurers that offer Part D plans via their website or by phone and enroll directly with them.

You don’t have to go through the enrollment process alone. Medicare and the SSA provide a number of free resources for people looking to sign up for Medicare, including:

Several other enrollment counseling programs are available, but they may charge a fee. Ask about any upfront costs before you agree to pay for this type of help. Free resources are available from the organizations above.

Yes, you can call your local SSA office. You can also apply for Medicare for free through the SSA website, and most people don’t need to sign or mail any documents. You can also track your application status anytime through your Medicare or Social Security account.

Check on your enrollment at Medicare.gov or through your SSA account using your ZIP code, Medicare number, name, date of birth, and Part A start date. You can also visit or call your local Social Security office.

If you delay enrolling in Medicare past 65, you could face a 10% Part B penalty for each year you wait, added to your monthly premium permanently. You might also experience coverage gaps if your current insurance isn’t “creditable.” However, you can delay enrollment without penalty if you or your spouse has employer-based health coverage.

Applying for Medicare is an important step as you near your 65th birthday. It can also be filled with questions — but you don’t have to enroll alone.

Both the CMS and the SSA can be valuable resources during your enrollment period. They can help you make the right choices for your situation.