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How To Apply

There are several ways to apply for your Medicare card:

In Person – Contact your local Social Security Office

By Phone – Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to make a telephone appointment for an interview to begin benefits. Social Security will call you at the appointed time. Tell the representative that you wish to apply for Medicare Parts A&B only, unless you desire other services, such as Retirement Benefits.

If you or your spouse worked for a Railroad, call the railroad retirement board at 1-877-772-5772.

Online: Applying for Medicare online

Step 1

The prerequisite to being able to quickly and easily apply for Medicare online is having (or establishing) a “My Social Security” account. This is an relatively easy process. The greatest difficulty is the “identity proofing”, which asks you a series of questions that, theoretically, only you will know the answer.

For clear directions in setting up your “My Social Security” account, see below.
Please be sure to notate your login and password information when setting up the account.

step by step social security account guide See our Step-by-Step Guide to my Social Security

Step 2

Then, once step 1 has been completed and not more than 3 months before your 65th birthday, you can apply online for your Medicare Card.

Be sure to apply for both Part A and Part B, unless you have other creditable coverage that you plan on continuing.

Please feel free to contact MediSmart Advisors for any assistance that you might need.