How to Enroll in Medicare - Medicare
When to Enroll in Medicare
Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birth month, and ends three months after your birth month. This seven-month window gives you time to review your options and enroll without late penalties.
Check to see if you're eligible to enroll in Medicare here.
Use our helpful Enrollment Timeline tool here.
How to Enroll in Medicare
If you're not already receiving Social Security benefits, contact your local Social Security office about three months before your 65th birthday to start the process of enrolling in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). You can also apply online at ssa.gov.
If you're already receiving Social Security, disability benefits, or railroad retirement checks, you'll be
automatically enrolled in Original Medicare starting the first day of your birthday month. Part B requires a premium, so you can decline it if you choose.
Learn more about the different parts of Medicare.
Next Steps After Enrollment
Original Medicare includes hospital and medical services, but it doesn't cover everything. It is designed to cover only about 80% of your medical expenses, which is why many people choose additional coverage for more protection, such as:
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): All-in-one coverage that may include prescription drugs and extra benefits like vision, dental, and hearing.
- Prescription Drug Plan (Part D): Helps cover the cost of prescription medications.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Helps pay costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers all of these additional coverage options so you can find the plan that best fits your needs. Learn more and compare our plans here.
Have questions about Medicare and want to talk to a local representative? Contact us here.
Blue Advantage® is a PPO and BlueRx℠ is a PDP with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Advantage (PPO) and BlueRx (PDP) depends on contract renewal. This is a solicitation of insurance. Contact may be made by an issuer or insurance producer. C Plus℠ is a Medicare Select Plan and is a private insurance plan regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance. It is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Blue Advantage (PPO) and BlueRx (PDP) are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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