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Qualifying for Medicare is a major accomplishment and making the transition can be very confusing. Depending on your situation, you may be automatically enrolled by the Social Security Administration or you may need to enroll manually.
Some people get Medicare automatically while others have to enroll manually. In most cases, it depends on whether you are receiving Social Security benefits.
If you currently receive Social Security Income or Railroad Retirement Benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, the Social Security office will automatically enroll you in Medicare Parts A and B and you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare card three months before your birthday month. However, if you live in Puerto Rico, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A and must complete a Part B application. (You can find the Part B application at www.medicare.gov or you can also contact one of our agents at Avila Medicare Solutions for a copy).
After you enroll, your Medicare benefits will begin on the first day of the month in which you turn age 65. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your Medicare benefits will begin on the first day of the previous month.
On the other hand, if you are not receiving Social Security Income or Railroad Retirement Benefits, you must manually enroll in Medicare either by calling the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or through one of their local offices. But if you are Internet savvy, you can register online at www.ssa.gov.
If you need assistance with enrollment, you may also contact one of our agents at Avila Medicare Solutions to get free help. You may complete your enrollment no earlier than 90 days before your eligibility date, which is usually the first day of the month in which you turn 65.
These are the most common cases for qualifying for and enrolling in Medicare; however, if you have certain disabilities, you may also qualify for automatic enrollment. For example, if you are under age 65 and receive Social Security disability or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for 24 months, you will be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B, and you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare card in the mail three months before the 25th month of receiving disability.
In addition, if you have ALS disease, also known as Lou Gherig's disease, you will also be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B the month your disability benefits begin and you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare card in the same month.
Finally, if you have end-stage renal disease and qualify for Medicare Part A, you may choose to manually enroll in Parts A and/or B immediately upon eligibility. To enroll, contact the Social Security Administration by phone or online at www.ssa.gov.
While most people qualify for free Part A and therefore sign up for Part A, some people may choose to delay their Part B enrollment. Look for our next video and article on why you may or may not want to delay Part B and what the consequences are.