You can enroll in Original Medicare Parts A and B through the Social Security Administration. You can sign up online, by calling 1 800-772-1213, or by visiting your local SSA office.  

To enroll in Original Medicare, you’ll need the following:  

• Your Social Security number (SSN) 
• Place of birth 
• Information about any current or prior health coverage (if applicable)

 Yes, there are several programs that can help you enroll in Original Medicare, or you may have a trusted family member assist with your application.  

You can contact State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) for help navigating the Medicare system at 877-839-2675. You can also contact your state’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), a free service that helps you choose and enroll in a Medicare plan.

Some people choose to delay their Part B enrollment because they have coverage through their job or their spouses. Once your coverage ends, you have eight (8) months to enroll in Part B. 

To enroll in Part B after a delay, you’ll need to apply with the Social Security Administration to request enrollment in your Part B coverage. For most people, your coverage starts on the first day of the month after you enroll.

You don’t have to enroll in Part A right away if you have qualifying coverage, but delaying Part B without other coverage may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Get more info on Part B costs

A special enrollment period (SEP) is a time of your life when you’ve experienced a major event that qualifies you to enroll in Medicare Advantage plan or change your coverage outside of the AEP and MA OEP windows. 

Some special enrollment periods may include: 

• You moved and your plan isn’t in your new area  
• You moved back to the United States after living abroad  
• You’re no longer eligible for Medicaid  
• You left coverage from your employer  
• You recently left a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program 
• Your plan changed its contract with Medicare  
• Medicare ended your plan’s contract  
• You’re enrolled in a Special Needs Plan (SNP)  
• You’re enrolled in SPAP  

For the full list of special enrollment period events and what they mean for you, please visit Medicare.gov.

If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time, your coverage begins the month after you apply. Depending on your situation, you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare Advantage plans at this time. You may have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7. You may also have to pay late enrollment fees.

According to Medicare.gov, “If you miss your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up. You may have to pay a monthly late enrollment fee for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called ‘Premium-Part A.’” This only applies if you do not have other existing coverage.

Get more info on expected fees and costs

Whether you are working or not, you will be eligible for your Medicare benefits when you turn 65 or qualify due to disability. You’ll have to decide if you want to enroll in Original Medicare or stay on your job’s plan.

Your answer may differ for Original Medicare Part A and Part B. For Part A (hospital insurance), if you’ve been paying for Medicare via payroll deductions throughout your career, you’ll generally have no premium. This means you may want to enroll in Part A when you’re first eligible. For Part B (medical insurance), most people will have a standard monthly premium when they sign up. It is $202.90 in 2026. To find the best fit for you, talk with your employer, benefits administrator, or a licensed sales agent.