Online Medicare Application during Pandemic

When Can You Enroll in Medicare?

Starting at age 65, you can enroll in Medicare.^[1] You no longer have to rely on employer-sponsored or private health insurance plans. There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage:

1. Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B)
2. Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)

Please read a companion article for more details.

Before you make a decision, you can get local, personalized Medicare counseling from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).  

You can apply for Medicare online by visiting the Medicare section of the Social Security website.  Note that you can apply Medicare online even if you are NOT ready to retire—read Publication No. 05-10043  and the below article:

     Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65

You need to register for Medicare benefits during a seven-month window, including the three months before your 65th birthday, to avoid paying higher premiums for coverage. 

Monitoring the Progress Online

After you log in your Social Security Account, select "my Social Security".  Then you can find "Your Benefit Applications" status at the bottom of the page (see Figure 1).

Figure 1.  Progress of your benefit applications

 

Receiving the Application Summary via Mail 

After your application was approved online, you should expect receiving a mail from Social Security Administration.  In it, you can find the summary of your application.

What you need to do next?

• Review the summary to make sure SSA recorded your statements correctly.
• If you agree with all your statements, you may keep the information for your records.
• If you disagree with any of your statements, please contact SSA within 10 days after receiving your notice to let them know.

During Pandemic

In the application summary, you can find the below statement:

I understand that I am being paid benefits under the COVID-19 Pandemic Disaster Procedures.  Therefore, when the Social Security Administration returns to normal business and reopens, I am required to submit my proof of age and lawful presence __________.

Changes to Be Reported

There are some changes you need to report to Medicare.  Failure to report may result in overpayments that must be repaid, and in possible monetary penalties:

• You change your mailing address for checks or residence.  To avoid delay in receipt of checks you should ALSO file a regular change of address notice with your post office.
• Your citizenship or immigration status changes.
• You go outside the USA for 30 consecutive days or longer.
• Any beneficiary dies or becomes unable to handle benefits.
• You are confined to jail, prison, penal institution or correctional facility for conviction of a crime or you are confined to a public institution by court order in connection with a crime.
• You have an unsatisfied warrant for your arrest for a crime or attempted crime that is a felony (or, in jurisdictions that do not define crimes as felonies, a crime that is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year).
• You have an unsatisfied warrant for a violation of probation or parole under Federal or State law.
• Your stepchild is entitled to benefits on your record and you and the stepchild's parent divorce.  Stepchild benefits are not payable beginning with the month after the month the divorce becomes final.
• Custody Change - Report if a person for whom you are filing, or who is in your care dies, leaves your care or custody, or changes address.
• Change of Marital Status - Marriage, divorce, annulment of marriage.
• You become entitled to a pension or annuity based on your employment after 1956 not covered by Social Security, or if such pension or annuity stops.

How to Report?

You can make your reports by telephone, mail, or in person, whichever you prefer.

If you are awarded benefits, and one or more of the above change(s) occur, you should report by:

• Calling SSA TOLL FREE at 1-800-772-1213;
• If you are deaf or hearing impaired, calling SSA TOLL FREE at TTY 1-800-325-0778; or
• Calling, visiting or writing your local Social Security Office at the phone number and address above.

For general information about Social Security, visit website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

How do I report a change of name or address to Medicare?

You can view or update your contact information (e.g. change your address) of record via the My Profile Tab on my Social Security, even if you do not receive Social Security benefits. In addition, you can decide when your change of address will take effect. Changing your address on line is the fastest way to get assistance.

You may also report a change of name or address for the Medicare program by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local field office. Addresses and directions to the Social Security field offices may be obtained from the Social Security Office Locator. See the Contacts page for additional information on contacting the Social Security Administration.

You can also get more information on changing your name on the Social Security's web site.

Related Questions

1. How do I get a new Medicare card if my card is lost, stolen, or damaged? How do I change my contact information?
2. Where can I find a doctor that accepts Medicare and Medicaid?
3. How do HRA, HSA and FSA differ when you’re eligible for Medicare?