Yes, Social Security automatically enrolls you in Medicare Parts A and B if you're receiving Social Security benefits (or Railroad Retirement Board benefits) at least four months before your 65th birthday; you'll get your card in the mail before coverage starts, but if you're not on Social Security by 65, you must sign up to avoid penalties and gaps, especially if you're still working with employer coverage.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically begin receiving Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months. If you have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), you will receive Medicare Parts A and B immediately when you enroll in Social Security disability benefits.
If you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65, you might face a lifetime late enrollment penalty if you have to pay for Part A (not premium-free) and don't sign up when first eligible, potentially increasing your premium by 10% for twice the number of years you delayed, and you may have gaps in coverage or pay higher premiums for Part B or other plans if you miss deadlines and don't have other creditable coverage like employer insurance. Most people qualify for premium-free Part A, but if you have to buy it, you could pay a penalty, while a Part B penalty (10% monthly increase for each year without coverage) applies if you delay and don't have other good coverage.
You can access Social Security benefits without enrolling in Medicare if you do so prior to age 65. If you are 65 or older when you initially access your Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A. Enrollment in Medicare Part B is not required to receive Social Security benefits.
Yes, you can call your local Social Security office to apply for Medicare, but you can also apply online at Social Security (SSA.gov/medicare) or even in person, as the SSA handles Medicare enrollment, especially if you're not already receiving Social Security benefits. Applying online or by phone is often faster for Parts A and B, but you might need to mail or fax forms for specific situations like Part B enrollment if you have other coverage.
Online (at Social Security) – It's the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. (You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.) Contact your local Social Security office.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
No, Medicare is not entirely free at age 65; while most people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) without a monthly premium if they've worked and paid Medicare taxes, they must pay a monthly premium for Part B (Medical Insurance) and are responsible for other costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, though programs exist to help low-income individuals with these costs.
A standard Medicare application (Parts A & B) typically takes a few weeks to about two months for approval, with online applications often faster (around 30 days) and paper ones longer (up to 65 days), but processing can extend to 6-8 weeks or more, especially during high-volume periods or if applying for disability, while Medicare Advantage/Part D plans have shorter waits, often under eight weeks. You usually get your card within two weeks after approval, but it's best to apply with ample time before your coverage starts.
If you are age 65 or older and receive Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A. Part A coverage begins up to 6 months before the month you apply if you are over 65.
If you reach age 65 and already have comprehensive health insurance, you don't have to enroll in Medicare right away, but in some cases, enrollment at age 65 is essential to avoid gaps in coverage.
For 2025, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $185 per month, with higher earners paying Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) on top of that, while most people get a lower premium due to the "hold harmless" rule protecting Social Security recipients from premium increases larger than their COLA. Part A is often free, but Part B costs vary, so check your Social Security statement for your exact amount.
If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, you risk paying late enrollment penalties for Part B (and potentially Part A if you pay premiums) and Part D, which increase your monthly costs permanently; you might also face coverage gaps if you don't have "creditable" employer coverage, leading to high out-of-pocket medical bills. You can delay signing up penalty-free if you have "creditable coverage" through an employer, but you must enroll during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when that coverage ends to avoid penalties.
Medicare Part B premiums are automatically deducted from Social Security checks, with the standard monthly amount for 2026 being $202.90, but this amount increases for higher-income earners. Most people get Part A for free, but if you pay premiums, they're also deducted. Part D (prescription drug) premiums can also be optionally deducted, while Part C (Medicare Advantage) premiums vary.
If you're getting Social Security benefits or RRB benefits for at least four months before turning 65, you're automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. You don't need to sign up for Medicare. Just check the mail for your Medicare card and start using Medicare coverage on the first day of the month you turn 65.
If you're not already getting retirement or disability benefits, you may contact Social Security to sign up online for Medicare during your “Initial Enrollment Period,” the three months before your 65th birthday, your birth month, and the three months after your birth month.
Generally, you're first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. (You may be eligible for Medicare earlier, if you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.)
Yes, you can have both Social Security and Medicare at the same time, and they often work together, with your Social Security record qualifying you for Medicare, especially if you're 65+ or have received Social Security disability for 24 months. Most people sign up for both through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The best people to talk to about Medicare are your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (for free, unbiased advice) or your specific Medicare plan's customer service (for plan-specific questions). For enrollment, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA), while independent brokers can compare plans, and organizations like the NCOA or AARP offer resources and tools.