Question:
How do I sign up for Medicare Parts A and B?
Answer:
You can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B online through Social Security, by phone, or at your local Social Security office. Most people enroll during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around age 65, but some are enrolled automatically if they already receive Social Security benefits. To apply, you’ll create a my Social Security account, complete the Medicare application, and submit basic documents like proof of age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or legal residency. This guide walks you step-by-step through the process so you know exactly what to expect.
How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’re turning 65 or finally leaving employer coverage, it’s completely normal to wonder how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B and worry about “getting it wrong.” The good news: the actual steps are straightforward once you know which path fits your situation.
This guide explains the process in plain language, plus answers the follow-up questions people usually ask: When should I start? What if I’m still working? How do A & B affect my costs—especially if I’m in North Carolina and trying to plan a real budget? For a bigger picture of your coverage choices, you can always pair this with the Medicare in North Carolina – Complete Guide for 2026 and the detailed Medicare costs in North Carolina for 2026.
Initial Enrollment Period length: Most people sign up for Parts A and B during a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period — it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Missing this window could mean waiting until the General Enrollment Period and starting coverage later. Medicare
Part B late-enrollment penalty: If you delay Part B without having creditable coverage (like a qualifying employer plan), your monthly Part B premium can increase by 10% for every full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t — and you may pay that higher premium for as long as you have Part B.
Key facts about correcting Medicare application mistakes
If you accidentally delay Part B and don’t have creditable coverage, you can face a permanent late-enrollment penalty of 10% of the standard Part B premium for every full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t. That higher premium usually lasts for as long as you have Part B.
If you missed or declined Part D and didn’t have creditable drug coverage, you can be charged a Part D late-enrollment penalty equal to 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each full month you went without coverage. This amount is added to your Part D premium for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
Exactly How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B (Step-by-Step) 🪜
Let’s start with the core question: How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B if you’re approaching 65 and not covered by a large employer plan.
Most people enroll through Social Security, which manages Medicare enrollment:
✅ Step 1: Decide when your coverage should start.
For many people, that’s the month they turn 65.
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window (3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after).
✅ Step 2: Choose how you want to apply.
🌐 Online at SSA.gov (often the easiest and fastest)
☎️ By phone through Social Security
🏢 In person at a local Social Security office (by appointment)
✅ Step 3: Complete the application.
Confirm your identity and work history.
Choose whether you want Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical), or Part A only if you’re staying on certain employer coverage.
✅ Step 4: Watch for your Medicare card.
You’ll receive a red-white-and-blue card showing your Part A and/or Part B start dates.
Double-check start dates and keep a copy somewhere safe.
✅ Step 5: Plan what comes next.
Once A & B are in place, you’ll decide between Medicare Advantage, Medigap + Part D, or staying with certain employer/retiree coverage if that’s an option.
Official step-by-step instructions are always available on Medicare.gov and SSA.gov. Then, to see how these choices play out in your wallet, you can look at your local cost picture in Medicare costs in North Carolina for 2026 and the Medicare Part B premium in North Carolina for 2026.
When to Start Thinking About How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B ⏰
Timing is where most people get nervous. Missing certain windows can lead to late enrollment penalties, especially for Part B. You should start thinking about how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B early if:
🎂 You’re turning 65 in the next 6–12 months
💼 You’re planning to retire soon and lose employer coverage
❤️ You’re helping a spouse or parent who’s close to 65 and not sure what to do
Some common patterns:
If you’re not covered by a large employer plan at 65 → you usually enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you are covered by large employer insurance → you might delay Part B and use a Special Enrollment Period later, but this should be done carefully.
Because penalties can be long-lasting, it’s smart to cross-check your plan with the official rules on Medicare.gov and SSA.gov, and then read up on Medicare premium penalties in North Carolina so you understand how late decisions could affect your future costs
In real life, the biggest problems I see with Medicare enrollment usually aren’t technical—they’re timing and assumptions. Some people assume they were enrolled automatically when they turned 65 and discover months later that they never completed the Part B application, creating gaps in coverage and surprise medical bills. Others delay because they think COBRA or retiree coverage protects them from penalties when it doesn’t. On the positive side, I’ve also helped many folks complete the Medicare Parts A and B application in under an hour once they had the right documents ready and understood which enrollment period they were in. That’s why a clear, step-by-step approach matters so much.
FAQ – Common Questions About How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B ❓👀
Q1. How do I sign up for Medicare Parts A and B for the first time?
You can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B online through your my Social Security account, by calling Social Security, or by visiting a local office. Most people enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period around age 65, and the application usually takes less than an hour once you have your documents ready.
Q2. When should I apply for Medicare Part A and Part B to avoid penalties?
Most people should apply during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after their 65th birthday month). If you wait too long and don’t have qualifying employer coverage, you may face higher premiums and delays in when your coverage starts.
Q3. What documents do I need to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B?
You’ll typically need your Social Security number, proof of age and identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency. If you’re enrolling after 65 because you had employer coverage, you may also need employer forms to show you had creditable insurance.
Q4. Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B at 65?
You’re usually enrolled automatically in Parts A and B if you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits before 65. If you’re not taking those benefits yet, you usually need to actively apply, or you could miss your enrollment window.
Q5. Can I sign up for Medicare Part A only and delay Part B?
Yes, some people enroll in premium-free Part A when they turn 65 and delay Part B if they have creditable employer coverage. Before you delay Part B, it’s important to confirm your employer plan rules so you don’t accidentally trigger late-enrollment penalties later.
Q6. How long does it take for my Medicare coverage to start after I apply?
If you enroll during the first part of your Initial Enrollment Period, your Medicare coverage usually starts the month you turn 65 or the following month, depending on when you apply. If you sign up later or during a different enrollment period, your start date may be delayed.
Q7. What happens if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B?
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period to sign up, and your coverage might not begin until later in the year. You could also owe a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.
In real life, most Medicare “application problems” I see aren’t fraud or huge mistakes—they’re simple oversights that cause real headaches. People pick the wrong Part B start date, accidentally say “no” to Part B when they meant “yes,” or enter an old address and never receive their Medicare card. I’ve worked with clients who didn’t realize the error until a doctor’s office told them their Medicare wasn’t active, or until they got a bill they thought should have been covered. The good news is that many of these issues can be corrected by contacting Social Security, submitting a new CMS form, or using a Special Enrollment Period—but the sooner you act, the easier it usually is to fix.
How A & B Work With Your Other Coverage Options ⚙️
Once you’ve handled the enrollment steps, the question isn’t just how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B—it’s “what do I put on top of A & B so my coverage works in real life?”
Your main paths are:
🧩 Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
A & B provide the base hospital and medical coverage.
A Medigap plan helps cover deductibles and much of the 20% share.
A Part D plan covers prescriptions (costs explained in Medicare Part D costs in North Carolina for 2026).
📦 Medicare Advantage (Part C)
You still have Parts A & B, but your care is managed through the Advantage plan’s network.
Most plans include drug coverage and extra benefits.
For a side-by-side comparison of costs and tradeoffs, see Medicare Advantage vs Medigap cost comparison in NC.
💼 Employer or retiree coverage + Medicare
Some people keep retiree or union coverage that wraps around Medicare.
Rules vary, so it’s important to confirm with your benefits office and cross-check with the federal rules on Medicare.gov.
To see how each setup might look in dollars and cents over a year, it can help to run some scenarios using the Medicare cost estimator North Carolina.
| Coverage Path | How A & B Work With It | What This Setup Is Like |
|---|---|---|
| 🧩 Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D |
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| 📦 Medicare Advantage (Part C) |
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| 💼 Employer or retiree coverage + Medicare |
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Online Tools That Make How to Sign Up for Medicare Parts A and B Easier 💻
You don’t have to remember everything alone. A few key sites can make how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B feel much less overwhelming:
Learn what Parts A and B cover.
Review enrollment periods and basic rules.
Explore plan options (Advantage and Part D) after you’re enrolled.
🌐 SSA.gov
Apply for Medicare online.
Check your Part B premium and Social Security information.
Local, plain-language explanations tailored to North Carolina.
Cost-focused guides like Medicare costs in North Carolina for 2026 and more detailed looks at Part B, Part D, and penalties.
Use the official federal sites for the rules and forms, then use local guides (and a conversation with an advisor, if you want it) to connect those rules to your doctors, medications, and budget.
Conclusion – You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone ✅
Enrolling in Medicare can feel intimidating, but once you understand how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B—and how those choices affect your premiums and out-of-pocket costs—it becomes much more manageable.
Your best next steps are to:
⏰ Confirm your timeline on Medicare.gov and SSA.gov
💰 Review your cost picture in Medicare costs in North Carolina for 2026
🧮 Run a few budget scenarios with the Medicare cost estimator North Carolina
💬 Talk with a licensed advisor if you’d like someone to walk through the tradeoffs with you
Compliance note: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Medicare rules and enrollment periods can change each year. Always confirm current details with Medicare.gov, SSA.gov, official plan documents, or a licensed insurance professional before making enrollment decisions.
About the Author 👨💼
When he’s not helping people compare plans or lower healthcare costs, Rob continues researching federal updates, Medicare rule changes, and marketplace trends to ensure every article at GenerationHealth.me reflects the most accurate, current information available.
For personalized help with Medicare or Marketplace coverage, connect with Rob at GenerationHealth.me.
📍 Based in North Carolina | ☎️ (828)761-3324 | ✉️ Contact Rob
💙 Clear answers. Trusted guidance. Local experience.
⚖️ Compliance & Trust Disclaimer
Information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice.
Plan availability, premiums, and benefits may vary by location and carrier.
Always verify specific details with a licensed insurance professional or directly with Medicare.gov before enrolling.
GenerationHealth.me and Robert Simm are independent agents and not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.