Medicare Information Page
Original Medicare
Most people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) once they're eligible, but not everyone is.
You'll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare if:
You're receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, or
You're eligible for Medicare because of a disability or medical condition.
You must enroll yourself in Original Medicare if:
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:
Age 65 or older
Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
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 5 years before applying for Medicare.
How do I enroll?
There are three ways to enroll yourself in Medicare if you are not automatically enrolled:
Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 7 PM.
In-person at your local Social Security office.
What are my choices after I enroll?
Once you’re enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you’ll start to receive coverage from the federal government. At that point, you can also choose additional coverage from private insurance companies. You could choose a Supplement with a Stand Alone Drug Plan. You could choose a health plan that includes A and B, Drug Coverage, and many more great benefits like Dental, Vision, Hearing, Over the Counter Drugs, and much more.
Most Medicare Advantage plans are zero premium plans.