How to Apply for Medicare

To apply for Medicare you must be at least 65 or disabled. You can apply at your local Social Security Administration office.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephones
• Internet Access
• Pens
• Computers
• Pens

1. Understand that Medicare is a health insurance program paid for by the federal government that is designed to ensure that elderly people have medical coverage.

2. Determine if you are eligible for Medicare. You must be 65 or older, or disabled or suffering from chronic kidney disease if under 65. You or your spouse must have worked at least 10 years in a job that had Medicare coverage.

3. Know that if you are 65 or older and qualify, there is no cost for Medicare Part A, if you are eligible for or receiving Social Security.

4. Realize that if you are under 65 and qualify because of a disability, there is no cost for Medicare Part A if you have been receiving Social Security for 24 months.

5. Consider your right to purchase expanded coverage under Part B for $45.50 a month (1999 figure), which is deducted from your Social Security check. You will receive information about this with your Medicare card.

6. Recognize that if you are under 65 and receiving Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled for Medicare and will receive a card three months before your 65th birthday. If you are not receiving Social Security, you must apply for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday, or wait for the next general enrollment period after your birthday.

7. Call the Social Security Administration at [phone] for enrollment forms, or go to your local office.

8. Bring your birth certificate, driver's license, proof of other insurance if you have any, and your social security card when you apply.

9. Be prepared to provide names of doctors, hospitals and clinics if you are eligible due to disability.

Tips & Warnings

• Think about purchasing Medigap insurance, which will cover the things your Part A and Part B Medicare insurance will not. There is more information about this on the Social Security Administration's Web site.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[rogmich]

on 1/15/2008 The 3 month before turning 65 is misleading. The rule is if you apply for a Medigap policy within 6 months of the date your Medicare goes into effect you will automatically be guaranteed a Medigap policy. If you apply for a Medigap policy 6 months after your Medicare effective date you will have to fill out medical questions on the applicaton for the Medigap policy you are applying for and then the application will have to be approved by that Medigap's underwriter.

[rogmich]

on 1/15/2008 Statement that Medigap policy will cover what Medicare does not is misleading. Medigap policies pickup the 20% after Medicare pays the 80% but if Medicare does not cover a service the Medigap policy will not cover the service. Medigap policies have to follow Medicare guidelines.

[socialone]

on 7/27/2007 heyjay on 1/3/07 is confused. The instructions are quite clear. In general, you must be 65 to RECEIVE medicare. But you must APPLY for medicare 3 months BEFORE your 65th birthday. Note: their are medical exceptions to the 65 rule. Contact the Social Security Administration for more information.

[heyjay]

on 12/27/2007 The top of the page says, "To apply for Medicare you must be at least 65 or disabled. " Then if you read further it says you should apply 3 months before your 65th birthday . The information at the top is misleading .