Medicare: How to Apply
You can apply for Medicare online at SSA.gov, by phone, or in person through Social Security, while some people may be automatically enrolled if they already receive benefits. Understanding when and how to apply, along with your coverage options and required forms, can help you avoid delays and choose the plan that works best for you. Need more info? Check out our videos on different Medicare topics here.
Created by DeafHealth with the support of the Patient Advocate Foundation and Pfizer, these videos on Medicare in American Sign Language (ASL) will give you the skills to make informed decisions about your coverage, the benefits offered by Medicare, and how to use your insurance confidently. The videos cover different topics including Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap Plans.
- American Sign Language Medicare Guide: https://deafhealthaccess.org/updates/health-insurance/
- English Medicare Guide: https://www.patientadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/MedicareBenefitsGuide_English-1.pdf
- Medicare Resources Sheet: https://www.patientadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/Medicare-Resources-Section.pdf
Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates.
Transcript and Video Description
[Video Description: The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has "Medicare: How to Apply” in white text with light blue background, accompanied by a yellow bubble with “Medicare” in blue. In the video: A nonbinary person with long, curly brown hair that is shaved on the right side of their head stands in front of the camera. Behind them is a light wooden entry table with a potted monstera plant set against a green wall. They are wearing black pants, a black jacket over a floral button-down shirt, and a pair of tinted glasses.
Transcript: When applying for Medicare, if you’re already receiving or approved for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before you turn 65, you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when you’re eligible for Medicare and do not need to pay premiums or monthly payments for Part A coverage. You’ll also be automatically be enrolled in Part B. However, you do need to pay premiums or monthly payments for Part B coverage. Because you pay a monthly premium for Part B, you can choose to drop those benefits. For example, you may already have other insurance that offers coverage for the medical services under Part B. If you’re not already receiving or ready to apply for Social Security benefits, you need to sign up for Medicare Part A and B through the SSA.gov website, in person at your local Security office, or by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. You can also choose to enroll in a Part D, Medigap, or Medicare Advantage plan at this time. You can also choose to use a licensed agent or broker to help you choose and enroll in Medicare. It is a good idea to ask questions about enrollment and coverage such as: When do I need to start Medicare enrollment to avoid penalties or delays in coverage? Will I still be covered if I travel out of state? If I am not happy with the coverage, can I get out of it? Am I eligible for any programs to help me reduce my healthcare costs? What will my total costs be for the upcoming year? If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part A and need to enroll in Part B, you’ll need to complete a specific form: CMS-40B. If you want to request a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll need to complete a specific form: CMS-10797. If you are within three months of turning 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits, you can still sign up for Medicare only and apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits later. It’s a good idea to check the status of your Medicare application on your online account, by phone, or by visiting your local Social Security Administration office. It usually takes four to eight weeks for your Medicare application to be approved, so if you want to have Medicare coverage by the time you turn 65, you will have to complete and send your application at least two months before your birthday. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a blue lighthouse] Paf. Patient Advocate Foundation. www.patientadvocate.org.]