Contact Social Security To Sign Up For Medicare
You can either:
Know when to sign up for Part BYou can only sign up for Part B at certain times. If you dont sign up for Part B when you turn 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty. Find out when you can sign up. How much is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
Plan Ahead To Mitigate Your Tax Bill
A 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment in 2022 will push up the gross amount of your benefits and your income. The result: More of your Social Security benefits could be subject to taxes.
This would affect you in the 2022 tax year, and come due in the 2023 tax season, Johnson said, which means there’s time to plan ahead.
Local senior centers may have tax professionals available to help for reduced costs, Johnson said. In addition, your local Agency on Aging may have Medicare counselling services available.
Signing Up For Medicare Online Step
Signing up for Medicare online through the Social Security Administration is the fastest way to apply.
Enrollment takes less than 10 minutes online, according to the Social Security Administration.
How to Apply for Medicare Online
You will be asked to provide your current health insurance information or, if you receive Medicaid benefits, your Medicaid number.
You may be required to provide additional documentation if you are:
- Not a U.S. citizen
- Applying under your spouses work record
- Over age 65 and transitioning from your employers health coverage
After youre enrolled, CMS will send you a welcome packet in the mail along with your Medicare card.
If you sign up for Medicare on your own, the packet should arrive about two weeks after you sign up.
You will also receive a Medicare & You handbook, which includes important information about your coverage.
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The Parts Of Medicare
Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare .
- Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility . Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
- Medicare Part B helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.
Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
- Supplemental policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
- Medicare Advantage Plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental bundled together in one plan.
- Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read .
How To Sign Up For Medicare
Some people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare while others need to sign up on their own. In this guide, we explore the step-by-step process of enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B as well as Part D drug plans, Medigap policies and Medicare Advantage plans.
On This Page
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Who Is Eligible For Social Security Retirement Benefits
As mentioned, youll need to meet a few requirements to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. Just like with Medicare, youll need to be a United States citizen or permanent resident. You might also need to have worked and earned credits. The amount of credits you need depends on your circumstances and the type of benefit youre applying for.
Youll need at least 40 credits in order to apply for retirement benefits. Since you can earn up to four credits a year, youll earn 40 credits after 10 years of work. This rule applies to anyone born after 1929.
The amount youll receive per month will depend on your income throughout your working life. You can use the calculator on the Social Security website to estimate your retirement benefits.
If You Get Ssdi Benefits And Are In A 24
- You may be able to get Medicaid coverage while you wait. You can apply 2 ways:
- Create an account or log in to complete an application. Answer yes when asked if you have a disability. Well forward your application to your state Medicaid agency.
- Apply directly to your state Medicaid agency. Select your state from the menu on this Medicaid page for contact information.
When asked about your income on your Marketplace application, be sure to include your SSDI income.
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Will Taking Social Security At Any Time Affect My Medicare
Though they are separate programs, there are some beneficial connections between them.
If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, Social Security works with Medicare and you’ll get an initial enrollment package from Medicare 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday.
Also, your Medicare premiums will most likely be collected by Social Security if you are already receiving those benefits. Social Security will send a notice before the deductions begin. If you arent receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you’ll get a monthly bill from Medicare.6
When Should I Sign Up For Medicare
Generally, we advise people to file for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. Remember, Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B without an additional application. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. You will receive a Medicare card about two months before age 65. If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives there can make an appointment for you at any convenient Social Security office and advise you what to bring with you. When you apply for Medicare, we often also take an application for monthly benefits. You can apply for retirement benefits online.
If you didnt sign up when you were first eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 and March 31 each year, unless you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.
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If Your Income Has Gone Down
If your income has gone down due to any of the following situations, and the change makes a difference in the income level we consider, contact us to explain that you have new information and may need a new decision about your income-related monthly adjustment amount:
- You married, divorced, or became widowed.
- You or your spouse stopped working or reduced your work hours.
- You or your spouse lost income-producing property because of a disaster or other event beyond your control.
- You or your spouse experienced a scheduled cessation, termination, or reorganization of an employers pension plan.
- You or your spouse received a settlement from an employer or former employer because of the employers closure, bankruptcy, or reorganization.
If any of the above applies to you, we need to see documentation verifying the event and the reduction in your income. The documentation you provide should relate to the event and may include a death certificate, a letter from your employer about your retirement, or something similar. If you filed a federal income tax return for the year in question, you need to show us your signed copy of the return. Use Form Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Life-Changing Event to report a major life-changing event. If your income has gone down, you may also use Form SSA-44 to request a reduction in your income-related monthly adjustment amount.
Signing Up For A Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare Part D drug coverage is optional and available to anyone with Medicare Part A and Part B.
Two Ways to Get Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
In both cases, you must already be enrolled in Original Medicare.
You can explore and compare available Part D plans on the Medicare website.
You can also call your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free help.
Once you find a plan that meets your needs, there are a few ways to sign up.
Four Ways to Sign Up for a Part D Drug Plan
To sign up for a Medicare Part D plan, you will need your Medicare number and the date your Part A and Part B coverage started. You can find this information on your Medicare card or on MyMedicare.gov.
Other Information You Need to Provide
- Your primary mailing address
- Whether you had or have other drug coverage
- How you want to pay your premiums
Coverage usually begins the first day of the month after enrollment.
If you switch plans during the open enrollment period , your new coverage will start Jan. 1.
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Apply For Retirement Benefits
Starting your Social Security retirement benefits is a major step on your retirement journey. This page will guide you through the process of applying for retirement benefits when youre ready to take that step. Our online application is a convenient way to apply on your own schedule, without an appointment. You can also apply by phone or by appointment at a Social Security office.
I Am About To Turn 65 My Spouse Is 60 And Still Working We Are Both Covered Under Her Employers Health Plan Do I Have To Do Anything With Regard To Medicare This Year
A person with group health coverage through a current employer may be able to delay enrolling in Part A and Part B until that coverage ends, and wont face penalties for enrolling later, but only if the employer has 20 or more employees. If your wifes employer has at least 20 employees, you may want to enroll in Part A but delay enrollment in Part B until your group coverage through your spouses employer plan ends.
If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B when you turn 65. If you do not want to pay a premium for Part B benefits now because you have comparable coverage under your spouses employer plan, you will need to let Social Security know that you want to delay Medicare Part B enrollment. You can contact Social Security about this beginning three months before you turn 65. Otherwise, Medicare will assume you want to enroll in Part B and the monthly premium will be automatically deducted from your Social Security check.
If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should sign up for Part A and Part B when youre first eligible or you will face late enrollment penalties.
If you do delay Part B enrollment because you are covered under your wifes plan, remember to sign up for Part B once her coverage ends. That way, youll have continuous coverage and wont face a late enrollment penalty for Part B.
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How Soon Can I Take Social Security
When it comes to receiving the maximum Social Security benefit possible, timing is important. Sometimes beneficiaries may receive more by delaying withdrawal, but some older adults may need the funds sooner.
Start by asking yourself some questions:
- Do I want to retire early?
- Do I want to/need to work past age 70?
- What happens to my Medicare if I work past age 65?
The SSA website offers future planning calculators, opens new window to help you estimate things that can affect retirement. These include life expectancy, pension eligibility, spousal benefits and retirement age.2
While you can take benefits as early as age 62, it may not be recommended. Only those on disability, or surviving spouses, can take Social Security earlier than 62.3
Your full retirement age, also known as normal retirement age, determines if you can receive full benefits. While the original full retirement age was 65 for all, heres a snapshot of how the law has changed:
If you take Social Security up to 36 months before your full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced by 5/9 of 1%. If you withdraw more than 36 months early, your benefit is reduced by 5/12 of 1% each month.4
Why Should I Wait
You can take your Social Security benefits early or when you reach retirement age. You can also delay benefits.5 Whether you’re still working or have budgeted enough to live without Social Security benefits, you may be on the plus side when it comes to your monthly payout.
If your full retirement age is 66 or older, check out this chart, opens new window to see how delaying retirementeven just by several monthscould affect your Social Security benefits to your advantage.
You can also use this retirement benefits planner, opens new window to determine the best time to access your Social Security benefits.
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About Medicare In California
Medicare beneficiaries in California have a variety of plan options. They may choose from Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, or various Medicare Advantage plan options that are available through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Costs and coverage details may vary, and not every plan may be available in your part of California.
Plan First Withdraw Later
Healthcare coverage can be a major retirement expense, and Medicare is not all-inclusive. Before you choose to take Social Security, make sure you’ve reviewed your budget, being careful to factor in healthcare costs, inflation and unexpected events.
Don’t underestimate those expenses. A fixed income may not allow for much fluctuation. Also people are living longer, so retirement may be longer than you plan for. According to the SSA, more than 1 in 3 of today’s 65-year-olds will live to age 90. More than 1 in 7 will live to age 95.7
The decision of when to take Social Security is important and personal. It will likely factor in to how you meet current and future healthcare needs.
Plan before you make your next move, and be better prepared for what lies ahead. For added peace of mind, consult a financial advisor before making any major decisions about your Social Security and retirement date.
This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult your doctor to determine what is right for you.
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.
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Is It Mandatory To Sign Up For Medicare After Age 65
No, it isnt mandatory to join Medicare. People can opt to sign up, or not.
If you don’t qualify for Social Security retirement benefits yet, you may need to manually enroll in Medicare at your local Social Security office, online or over the phone when you turn 65. You can also apply online for your Medicare coverage at www.medicare.gov.
Enrolling in Medicare as soon as youre eligible ensures you get the subsidized health care you deserve without waiting periods or financial penalties.
If you continue to work for a company employing 20 or more people after you turn 65, you could delay your Medicare enrollment. Your employee group plan provides enough medical coverage while youre working, meaning you may be able to wait to sign up for Medicare once you retire without incurring any late penalties.
Delaying Part B Coverage And Late Enrollment Penalties
You should enroll in Part A when youre first eligible near your 65th birthday, but some people may choose to delay Part B.
If you receive group health insurance at work or through your spouses employer you may be able to delay enrollment in Part B.
But once you stop working or that coverage ends, you must sign up for Part B within eight months. Otherwise, youll face a late enrollment penalty.
If you enroll in Part B after your group health insurance ends, you have options for how to apply.
You can do so online through an application on the Social Security website or by mail.
How to Sign Up for Part B by Mail After Employer Health Insurance Ends
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