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How do I enroll in Medicare Parts A & B?

Automatic Enrollment

Some people receive Medicare benefits automatically, and some have to enroll. You may have to sign up if you are turning 65 and not receiving Social Security. Here are a few scenarios of automatic enrollment into Medicare.

  • Currently on Social Security: If you are receiving social security retirement benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B beginning the month that you turn 65 (or the previous month if your birthday is on the first day of the month).
  • Disabled: If you are disabled, you will receive coverage under Medicare Parts A and B starting 24 months after your disability benefits from Social Security begin at the beginning of the 25th month.
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease): If you have ALS, you will be automatically enrolled the month Social Security Disability benefits begin.

Enrolling on your own

  1. At least 3 months before you enroll, go online to www.ssa.gov or visit your local Social Security office.
  2. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
  3. If you worked for a railroad, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772
  4. Complete an Application for Enrollment in Part B (CMS-40B).
    • Remember, you must already have Part A to apply for Part B.

You are eligible for Medicare upon turning 65, however, when you enroll depends on if you plan to continue to work past your 65th birthday and if you still have health insurance through your employer.

If you are receiving social security retirement benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B the same month that you turn 65 (or the previous month if your birthday is on the first day of the month). If you are disabled, you will receive coverage under Medicare Parts A and B starting 24 months after your disability benefits from Social Security begin. In either case, once you are automatically enrolled, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail.

If you plan to retire prior to your 65th birthday, you have a 7-month window to enroll in Part A. The enrollment period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after your birthday month. After month seven, a late enrollment penalty may apply.

Everyone’s situation is different. Our Medicare advisors can help you decide if you should enroll in all Parts of Medicare or only parts B and D while you are still working or when you retire.

It’s our job to know everything about Medicare so that you don’t have to. Senior Financial Group is here to help. Give us a call at 865-777-0153 or 800-677-0153 to schedule a personalized assessment at zero cost.

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