If you sign up for Medicare at age 65 on line you must have an active user name and password on SSA.Gov as well as a way for them to contact with a code to enter onto the application to proceed. They can either text you or email you this code.
Or you can go to your local Social Security office and apply. You can apply 3 months before your birth month the month of and 3 months after to be in your “initial enrollment stage”. It is important to note signing up after your birth month will delay the effective date of coverage.
Signing up for Medicare part B after your initial stage:
- If you miss your initial enrollment stage. You can apply for Medicare during the “general enrollment period” which is January 1 through March 31st with an effective date of
July 1. - If you continue to work and have credible coverage through your Employer or your spouse’s Employer you will have a special enrollment period which you can enroll into Medicare at anytime and you will have no penalty. There are 2 forms necessary to do this, forms CMS-408 and CMS-L564.
*There is a 10% penalty per year for not having Medicare in certain circumstances.