How to sign up for medicare on social security website

Yes. But you should be aware of the enrollment deadlines, as Social Security will not sign you up automatically at 65 for “traditional Medicare” — Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (health insurance) — as it typically does for people already collecting Social Security benefits.

In this situation, you'll have to enroll yourself, either online or by contacting Social Security. Medicare and Social Security are two separate programs, but the Social Security Administration runs enrollment for traditional Medicare.

You can enroll in Medicare parts A, B and D (prescription-drug coverage) as early as three months before the month you turn 65 or as late as three months after the birthday month. (That’s called your initial enrollment period.) For example, if your 65th birthday is April 15, 2023, the initial enrollment window is open from Jan. 1 until July 31. 

Here’s why you need to be on top of your deadline: If you don’t sign up during those seven months, you may be subject to a permanent surcharge once you do enroll. 

Part A is free if you qualify for Social Security, even if you have not claimed benefits yet, but Part B carries a premium. In 2022, the standard Part B premium is $170.10 a month; it goes up for beneficiaries with incomes above $91,000 for someone who files an individual tax return and $182,000 for a married couple filing jointly.

Medicare has announced that the standard Part B rate will drop to $164.90 in 2023 while the income threshold for higher charges goes up to $97,000 for an individual and $194,000 for a couple.

If you are not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you will have to pay Medicare directly for Part B coverage. Once you are collecting Social Security, the premiums will be deducted from your monthly benefit payment. 

If you decide to purchase a Part D prescription-drug plan, it’s best to do so during your initial enrollment period; otherwise you may pay a higher premium, permanently. Your Part D provider cannot deny coverage even if you are in poor health or have a preexisting condition. You can choose between paying Medicare directly or having Part D costs deducted from your Social Security payment.

Keep in mind

• The Medicare eligibility age of 65 no longer coincides with Social Security’s full retirement age (FRA) — the age when you qualify for 100 percent of the Social Security benefit calculated from your lifetime earnings. FRA was long set at 65 but it is gradually going up: It's 66 years and 4 months for people born in 1956 and will settle at 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
• Even if you don’t qualify for Social Security, you can sign up for Medicare at 65 as long you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. You will have to pay Medicare directly for all coverage, including Part A (unless you or your spouse are among the small number of state and local government employees who paid Medicare taxes but not Social Security taxes; in this case, you may be able to get Part A for free). 

Updated September 27, 2022

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.) Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday.

Medicare Part A covers basic hospital visits and services and some home health care, hospice and skilled-nursing services. If you are receiving or are eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you do not pay premiums for Part A.

Medicare Part B is akin to standard health insurance and carries a premium. The base rate in 2022 is $170.10 a month (dropping to $164.90 a month in 2023). Higher-income individuals pay more depending on the amount of income.

You can opt out of Part B — for example, if you already have what Medicare calls “primary coverage” through an employer, spouse or veterans’ benefits and you want to keep it. (Check with your current insurance provider to make sure your coverage meets the standard.) Opting out will not affect your Social Security status, but you might pay a penalty in the form of permanently higher premiums if you decide to enroll in Part B later. 

If you want to enroll in Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage), an alternative to Part B that is provided by private insurers, you must sign up on your own. The same goes for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage. You can find more information in Social Security’s “Medicare” publication and the Medicare website, or you can call Medicare at 800-633-4227.

Keep in mind

If you are living abroad or are outside the United States when you become eligible for Medicare, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request an enrollment form.

Updated September 27, 2022