Welcome to Medicare | Medicare
The official U.S. government website for Medicare, a health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people with disabilities.
How do I sign up for Medicare?
Getting Medicare is your choice. If you want to sign up, contact Social Security. To get full Medicare benefits, you need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) . When your coverage starts depends on whether you’re on dialysis or getting a transplant. Why do I contact Social Security? Ways to sign up:
Prepare to sign up - Medicare
Most people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when first eligible (usually when turning 65). Answer a few questions to check when and how to sign up based on your personal situation. Learn about Part A and Part B sign up periods and when coverage starts.
Ready to sign up for Part A & Part B - Medicare
You’ll need your Medicare Number to create your secure Medicare account here on Medicare.gov, join a plan, or buy supplemental insurance. Generally, you can only drop Part A (Hospital Insurance) if you have to pay a premium for it, also called Premium-Part A.
Get started with Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Some people get Medicare automatically, others have to actively sign up -- it depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from ...
Joining a plan - Medicare
Generally, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan, or switch to another plan. If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional situation, you’ll have 2 months to join a plan or switch to another plan.
Medicare.gov
A federal government website managed and paid for by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244
Medicare Advantage & other health plans
Medicare health plans provide Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits to people with Medicare. These plans are generally offered by private companies that contract with Medicare.
When can I sign up for Medicare? | Medicare
If you want Medicare coverage to start when your job-based health insurance ends, you need to sign up for Part B the month before you or your spouse plan to retire. Your coverage will start the month after Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) gets your completed forms.
When does Medicare coverage start?
Between January 1-March 31 each year (General Enrollment Period) You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up. You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty, if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.