How to Sign Up for Medicare Online in Under 15 Minutes

Medicare enrollment can feel overwhelming; between planning for retirement, coordinating switching off of employer insurance , and reviewing what your coverage options are, it can feel like creating a Medicare enrollment checklist might be the best way to move forward.

But what if we told you that it was possible to sign up for Original Medicare in under 15 minutes? All you need to do is visit the Social Security Administration website .

This guide will walk you through all of the steps you need to take to do just that. You may even have enough spare time to add additional benefits or supplemental coverage using a tool like Healthpilot after you’re finished!

Things to Know Before You Enroll in Medicare Before you really dive into signing up for Original Medicare, it’s important to know the basics: eligibility requirements and the plan options that are available to you:

Medicare Eligibility Guidelines In order to enroll in Original Medicare, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be 65 years of age or older, with a few special cases. You may qualify for Medicare earlier if you have: End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease) Individuals under 65 who have a qualifying disability (as defined by Social Security) can enroll in Medicare after receiving disability benefits for 24 months You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying alien with legal permanent residency and a continuous five-year residency in the U.S. Medicare Options Once you have determined your eligibility for Medicare enrollment, you should also have an idea of which parts of Medicare you will be enrolling in:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient medical services and some preventative care. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) are Medicare plans that are sold by private carriers; Part C is used as a replacement for Original Medicare (Parts A and B), while Part D is used as a supplement. Today, we’ll only be going over how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B; Medicare Parts C and D are considered separate plans and require a different enrollment process.

Can I Apply for Medicare Online? Yes! There are several ways to apply for Original Medicare: online, over the phone, or in person. If you use this guide to prepare, applying in person or online should not take you longer than 15 minutes. Depending on your unique situation, you may choose a different way to apply.

Is It Better to Apply for Medicare in Person or Online? If you choose to use the Social Security Administration Medicare signup portal, the process should be quick and simple, taking you less than 15 minutes. One drawback of applying online through SSA is that you won’t receive assistance should you need it. If you choose to apply for Medicare in person, you will be guided through the process by a Medicare expert, but the process may take longer due to wait times or appointment delays. When it comes to Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans, if you choose to use a Medicare plan finder tool like Healthpilot, you get the best of both worlds; guided help from knowledgeable licensed insurance agents, plus a seamless signup process. What You Need to Apply for Original Medicare Online Before you log onto the Social Security Administration website, be sure to have the following documents and information on hand:

Your “my Social Security” account login (if you haven’t already created an account, do so before beginning the enrollment process) Your Social Security Number (written down or on your Social Security card) If you are currently insured, have documentation of your health insurance with you Some may choose to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B due to employer coverage; if this is the case for you, have your employment details on hand In order to set up auto-drafted premium payments, the SSA will require your banking information Okay, great; now that you’ve confirmed that you have everything you need to get started, it’s time to set the 15-minute timer and get you signed up for Medicare online.

Sign Up for Medicare Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Visit the Official Social Security Website Click this link to visit the Social Security website. Scroll down a bit, and you should see two options: one for signing up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B), and the other for Part B-only signup.

Read the descriptions and determine which applies to you, then click “Apply online” or “Get started”.

Step 2: Log Into Your Social Security Account From here, you will be asked to log in or create a “my Social Security” account; if you followed the instructions above, you should already have these login credentials on hand. We’re saving so much time already!

If you are creating an account at this step, you will be asked to verify your identity using a few personal details, such as your SSN and date of birth.

Step 3: Opt Out of Social Security (if Applicable) If you are not ready to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits, be sure to click “Apply for Medicare Only”.

Helpful Hints :

For those already receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you should have been automatically enrolled into Medicare Parts A and B after receiving benefits for 24 months. If you began receiving Social Security retirement benefits at the age of 62, SSA automatically enrolls you into Medicare Part A and B at 65 years of age. Step 4: Fill in Your Personal Information Now it’s time to take the rest of that information you’ve gathered and put it to use. Fill out the application form with the required information (your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number).

Step 5: Review & Confirm Your Coverage Choices Based on your circumstances, confirm that the coverage you have selected aligns with your unique needs. Remember:

Medicare Part A is usually premium-free for people who have paid Medicare taxes. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium. Most people enroll in both unless they have other creditable coverage.

Step 6: Submit Your Application & Save Your Confirmation It’s always recommended to review your application in full before hitting “Submit”. This ensures that all of the information you’ve entered (and the coverage choices you’ve made) are correct.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation for your records while you wait for your Medicare card to be delivered via mail; this usually takes 2-3 weeks. You can check your application status anytime by logging into your “my Social Security” account.

Common Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid Signing up for Original Medicare is fairly straightforward; that being said, there are a few common mistakes that you can easily avoid by following the below advice:

Don’t wait too long to enroll . If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7-month window around your 65th birthday), you may be subject to lifelong late penalties. This especially applies to Medicare Parts B and D. Enroll in Part B when the time is right . If you delay Medicare Part B without coverage to fall back on (such as employer coverage), you may face a 10% increase in premiums for each year you delay. Don’t assume you’re enrolled automatically . Automatic enrollment only happens for those who are receiving Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits. Always double-check your information . Any typos or mistakes in your name, SSN, date of birth, or any other identifying information can slow down the process or cause confusion, leading to even more opportunities for mistakes. Medicare Enrollment FAQs Is it better to apply for Original Medicare in person or online? Both online and in-person application options are available to you; however, online is faster and more convenient for most people. That being said, in-person is still a valid route and can be helpful, especially if you have complex eligibility questions or need in-person verification.

Do you sign up for Original Medicare through Social Security? Yes; the initial enrollment in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) are handled through the Social Security Administration via their website, in person, or over the phone applications. Once you have enrolled in both Parts A and B, tools like Healthpilot can help you identify any additional coverage you may need to enroll for to ensure that your insurance works best for you.

Can I apply for Original Medicare only online? Yes; if you choose to apply for Original Medicare through the Social Security Administration website, you can complete the process from start to finish online.

What Medicare plan types should you sign up for? Medicare plan choices should be focused on meeting each individual’s unique needs; however, everyone should start by enrolling in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), and from there decide whether they need to add Part D, switch over to a Medicare Advantage plan, or add Medigap plans for additional coverage.

Conclusion Signing up for Medicare can be a complicated process, but it doesn’t need to be so. Between helpful guidance from the Medicare licensed insurance agents at Healthpilot, and the step-by-step enrollment on the Social Security Administration website, you should be able to complete your Medicare enrollment in less than 15 minutes.

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