MEDICARE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHO IS ENROLLED IN
ORIGINAL MEDICARE?
While most people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) once they're eligible, not everyone is.
You'll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare if:
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You're receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, or
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You're eligible for Medicare because of a disability or medical condition.
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You must enroll yourself in Original Medicare if:
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You're not receiving Social Security benefits when you become eligible for Medicare. ​
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
U.S. citizens and qualified legal residents* have to be one of the following:
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Age 65 or older
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Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
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Any age with a diagnosis of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS—also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
* To qualify as a legal resident, you must have lived in the United States
for at least five (5) years in a row before applying for Medicare.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
There are three ways to enroll yourself in Medicare if you are not automatically enrolled:
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Online at SocialSecurity.gov
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Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778)
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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In-person at your local Social Security office
WHAT ARE MY CHOICES
AFTER I ENROLL?
Once you’ve enrolled in original Medicare Part A and/or Part B, your coverage from the federal government begins. You can also choose additional coverage from private insurance companies at that time. You can choose a Medicare supplement plan with a stand-alone drug plan. Or, you can choose a health plan that includes Medicare Parts A and B, drug coverage, and many other important benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter drugs, and more.
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Most of these supplemental plans are zero-premium plans.
