Signing up for Medicare is a simple process, but the exact procedure will be guided by your individual decisions regarding receiving Social Security and working beyond age 65. The following are the scenarios to consider:
- Retiring and taking Social Security at age 65
- Retiring at age 65, but not taking Social Security
- Working beyond age 65
Retiring and Taking Social Security at 65
If you retire at age 65, you can sign up for Medicare and Social Security at the same time. If you were born in the United States, the easiest way to sign up for Social Security and Medicare is to do so online at the Social Security Administration website. You can also enroll over the phone.
Signing up for Medicare is a simple process, but the exact procedure will be guided by your individual decisions regarding receiving Social Security and working beyond age 65.
If you are a naturalized citizen, you may have to go to a Social Security office and enroll in person. In either case, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and B at the same time.
Retiring at 65, but not Taking Social Security
If you are retiring at age 65 and want Medicare benefits but will not be receiving Social Security, you will need to sign up for Medicare only. You can do this online, over the phone, or in person at a Social Security office. Again, your citizenship status may limit your choices here.
Working Past Age 65
If you are going to work past age 65 and you receive health insurance from your employer, there is one more factor that affects your need to sign up for Medicare:
- If your employer has less than 20 employees, you may need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B
- If your employer has more than 20 employees, you can choose to stay on their plan, or you may opt to enroll in Part A and B
If you are not if these criteria apply to you, talk to your employer and ask them about your options for coverage.
If you must enroll in Medicare because you work for a small employer, or if you decide that you want to enroll, you can enroll over the phone, online, or in person. If you enroll online, you can do so on the Social Security website.
The Basics of Eligibility
Your eligibility for Medicare falls under the following two categories:
- Citizenship or residence status (eligibility rules)
- Age, health diagnosis, or disability status (entry rules)
Citizenship And Residence Status
To gain Medicare coverage, you must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident. If you are a permanent resident, you must have lived in the country for at least five consecutive years.