Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. You’ll need a “my Social Security” account, which now requires identity verification through Login.gov or ID.me — a photo ID upload and video selfie. Once verified, the Medicare application itself takes 10–15 minutes. If the selfie fails or you don’t have a camera, you can verify in person at a U.S. Post Office (Login.gov) or UPS Store (ID.me), or skip online entirely and enroll by phone at 1-800-772-1213. You can also schedule an in-person appointment at your local Social Security office by calling that same number — walk-ins are no longer guaranteed service since January 2025.

What you need to know first

Three enrollment methods — and what each requires

Method	What You Do	Account Needed?	Time
Online	Create my Social Security account → apply at ssa.gov	Yes — Login.gov or ID.me	10–15 min
Phone	Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)	No	30–60 min
In person	Call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment at your local SSA office	No	1–2 hours

Key facts

What every new enrollee should know

10 min

Online application time

Once your my Social Security account is created, the Medicare application itself takes about 10 minutes.

2–4 wks

Card arrives by mail

Your red, white, and blue Medicare card shows your Medicare number, Part A, and Part B status.

7 months

Initial Enrollment Period

3 months before your 65th birthday, birthday month, 3 months after. Miss it and the penalty clock starts.

10%/yr

Part B late penalty

10% added to your monthly Part B premium for every 12 months you delayed. Permanent. For life.

Step-by-step

How to create your account and apply for Medicare online

Gather your documents first: driver’s license or passport, Social Security number, a phone that receives texts, and your current health insurance info (if any).

Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up

This is the official Social Security Medicare enrollment page. Bookmark it. Do not search “sign up for Medicare” and click an ad — go directly to ssa.gov.

Choose Login.gov or ID.me

You only need one — not both. Both are free. ID.me has a live video call backup if the selfie fails. Login.gov has in-person verification at U.S. Post Offices.

Create your account & set up multi-factor authentication

Enter your email, create a password, and set up a security code via text message or an authenticator app. Use an email address that only you use — not a shared family email.

Verify your identity — this is the hard part

Upload a photo of the front and back of your driver’s license or passport. Then take a video selfie. The system compares your live face to the photo on your ID. If it fails, see the workarounds below.

You’re in — now start the Medicare application

Once verified, you’ll be redirected back to ssa.gov. Select “Apply for Medicare Only” (unless you also want to start Social Security retirement benefits at the same time).

Complete the application

Basic personal info, coverage history, and how you want to pay the Part B premium. If enrolling via Special Enrollment Period, you’ll also need to mail CMS Forms L564 and 40B to your local SSA office.

Submit & save your confirmation number

Your Medicare card arrives by mail in 2–4 weeks. Keep that confirmation number — you’ll need it if you call SSA about your application status.

Which one should you pick?

Login.gov vs. ID.me — side by side

Feature	Login.gov	ID.me
Run by	U.S. government (GSA)	Private company
Identity verification	Photo ID + selfie or in-person at Post Office	Photo ID + video selfie or in-person at UPS Store
If the selfie fails	In-person at a participating U.S. Post Office	Live video call with a trained agent — or in-person at UPS Store
Phone support	Limited	Available — including live video
Works for other agencies	IRS, VA, some state agencies	IRS, VA, Medicare.gov, many state agencies
Best for	People near a Post Office who don’t want to deal with selfies	People who want a live person to help if something goes wrong

💡 Broker Tip · Which to Choose

If you have a smartphone with a decent camera and good lighting, try ID.me’s self-service first — it tends to work on the first try for most people. If the selfie fails, ID.me’s live video call with a real person is the fastest backup. Login.gov’s in-person option at the Post Office is the best path for people who don’t want to deal with selfies at all.

The part that stops people

The selfie didn’t work — now what?

This is the #1 reason people give up on signing up for Medicare online. The facial recognition fails more often than you’d expect, especially for people over 65. Common causes: glasses glare, bad lighting, old driver’s license photo, camera too close.

📷

ID.me Video Call

A trained agent verifies your identity live on camera. Have your ID in hand. Usually 15–30 min wait. Free.

🏣

Post Office (Login.gov)

Start online, get a barcode, bring it and your photo ID to a participating USPS location. Takes ~10 min on-site.

📦

UPS Store (ID.me)

Start online, get a registration code, bring it and your photo ID to a participating UPS Store. Walk-in or appointment.

💡 Quick Selfie Fixes Before You Give Up

Remove glasses — glare is the #1 failure. Face a window — natural light on your face, not overhead. Hold phone 12 inches away at eye level. Plain background — stand in front of a blank wall. Remove hats and scarves. Set screen brightness to maximum. Clean the camera lens.

⚠ Can’t Create an Account at All?

You do not need an online account to sign up for Medicare. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Mon–Fri 8 AM – 7 PM. You can also request an in-person appointment at your local Social Security office — but walk-ins are no longer guaranteed service. Since January 2025, SSA field offices are appointment-based. Call the national number or your local office to schedule. Find yours at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your driver’s license, Social Security card, and any current insurance information.

Stuck on the account? I’ll walk you through it — free.

Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418

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Two accounts, two websites

ssa.gov vs. medicare.gov — what’s the difference?

People confuse these constantly. They’re separate websites, separate accounts, and they do different things.

Account	Website	What It’s For	Login Method
my Social Security	ssa.gov	Apply for Medicare, check enrollment status, view benefit statements, request replacement cards	Login.gov or ID.me
Medicare.gov	medicare.gov	Compare Medicare Advantage & Part D plans, view claims, check coverage, pay premiums	Login.gov, ID.me, or CLEAR

💡 Important

Create your my Social Security account first to apply for Medicare. After enrollment, when your Medicare card arrives with your Medicare number, then you can create a Medicare.gov account. You cannot create a Medicare.gov account until you have your Medicare number.

5 enrollment mistakes I see every month

Don’t let the account setup distract you from these.

The Login.gov / ID.me hurdle gets all the attention. These five mistakes cost people thousands — and they happen after the account is created.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-06 · Robert Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NPN #10447418

Mistake 01 Enrollment

Clicking an ad instead of going directly to ssa.gov

Why it hurtsSearching “sign up for Medicare” returns paid ads from lead-generation companies and national call centers. You give them your information thinking you’re enrolling — but you’re not. You’re creating a sales lead. The actual enrollment still hasn’t happened, and your deadline may be passing.

What to doType ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up directly into your browser. That’s the only URL that leads to the actual Medicare application.

Mistake 02 Account

Using a shared email address for your Login.gov or ID.me account

Why it hurtsIf you and your spouse share an email, you can’t both have accounts under the same email address. When the second person tries to create an account, the system says the email is already registered. Then you’re locked out and it becomes a support nightmare.

What to doEach person needs their own email. Gmail is free — create one before you start the process.

Mistake 03 Timing

Waiting until your birthday month to enroll — then getting stuck on the account

Why it hurtsIf you wait until your birthday month to start and the selfie fails, you’re now waiting for an in-person appointment or a phone call with a 45-minute hold time. Your coverage start date slips 1–3 months. If you slip past your 7-month window entirely, you’re looking at a permanent Part B penalty.

What to doCreate your my Social Security account 3–4 months before your 65th birthday. Don’t wait for the application itself — just get the account ready. Then apply the moment your enrollment window opens.

Mistake 04 Enrollment

Selecting “Part A only” when you actually need Part B too

Why it hurtsThe online application asks whether you want Part A only or both Part A and Part B. Some people select Part A only because they think they’re saving money — but without Part B, you have no coverage for doctor visits, outpatient care, labs, or imaging. And if you miss your enrollment window, adding Part B later triggers the permanent 10%/year penalty.

What to doUnless you have active employer group coverage (20+ employees) and plan to delay Part B intentionally, select both Part A and Part B. If you’re not sure, call me before you submit.

Mistake 05 After enrollment

Thinking enrollment is the last step — and missing the Medigap window

Why it hurtsYou have a 6-month Medigap open enrollment window starting the month your Part B begins. During this window, every Medigap carrier must accept you regardless of health. After it closes, carriers can deny you or charge dramatically more. Most people don’t even know this window exists until it’s already gone.

What to doThe day you submit your Medicare application, start comparing Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Don’t wait for the card to arrive. See the full enrollment guide →

⚠ Penalty & Deadline Warning

If you delay Medicare Part B without creditable employer coverage, you’ll pay a 10% lifetime penalty for every 12 months you delayed — added to your Part B premium for the rest of your life. The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90/month, so a 24-month delay raises it to roughly $243/month, permanently. Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, the birthday month itself, and 3 months after. Don’t let an account setup issue cause you to miss it — call for help.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How do I sign up for Medicare online?

Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. Create a “my Social Security” account using Login.gov or ID.me for identity verification. Once logged in, select “Apply for Medicare Only,” complete the application (10–15 minutes), and submit. Your Medicare card arrives by mail in 2–4 weeks.

What if I can’t get past the Login.gov or ID.me selfie verification?

Three options: (1) ID.me live video call — a real person walks you through it. (2) Verify in person at a U.S. Post Office (Login.gov) or UPS Store (ID.me). (3) Skip online entirely and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. No online account is needed for phone or in-person enrollment.

Do I need a smartphone to sign up for Medicare online?

You need a device with a camera for the selfie step during identity verification. If you don’t have one, borrow a phone from a family member, use the in-person verification option at a Post Office or UPS Store, or apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Is Login.gov or ID.me better for signing up for Medicare?

Both work. ID.me offers a live video call if the selfie fails, which can be easier for people who have trouble with the automated process. Login.gov offers in-person verification at U.S. Post Offices. Choose based on which backup option is more convenient for you.

Can I sign up for Medicare by phone instead of online?

Yes. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM local time. No online account is needed. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current insurance information ready. Best call times: early morning, Wednesday–Friday. You can also request an in-person appointment at your local SSA office through that same number — but since January 2025, walk-ins are no longer guaranteed service. Schedule ahead.

What’s the difference between ssa.gov and medicare.gov?

You apply for Medicare Parts A and B at ssa.gov (Social Security). After enrollment, you manage your coverage — compare Advantage and Part D plans, view claims, check drug costs — at medicare.gov (CMS). These are separate accounts with separate logins. You cannot create a Medicare.gov account until you have your Medicare number.

How long does it take to get my Medicare card after applying online?

Typically 2–4 weeks. The card arrives by mail and shows your Medicare number and whether you have Part A, Part B, or both. You’ll need your Medicare number to create a Medicare.gov account, enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, or buy a Medigap supplement.

Is there a deadline to sign up for Medicare online?

Yes. Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months centered around your 65th birthday. Missing it can trigger a permanent 10% Part B late-enrollment penalty for every 12 months you were eligible but didn’t enroll. The penalty is added to your Part B premium for life. For the full timeline, see How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A & B.

After you’re enrolled

The account is step one. Choosing the right plan is step two.

Once your Medicare card arrives, you’ll need to decide between Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D, or Medicare Advantage. The right choice depends on your doctors, your medications, and how much cost risk you’re willing to carry. That’s where a 15-minute conversation saves people thousands. No pressure, no SSN required.

Related Medicare guides

How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A & B How to Correct a Medicare Application Mistake Medicare Enrollment in NC — 2026 Guide Working Past 65 — Medicare Enrollment in NC Free Medicare Quotes Online Understanding Medicare in North Carolina

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Compliance disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information on all of your options. GenerationHealth.me and Robert Simm are independent agents not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent may contact you. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Plan availability, premiums, and benefits vary by location and carrier.

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