Enrolling in Medicare

You can first sign up for Medicare Parts A and B when you become 64 years and 9 months old. You will need to contact the Social Security Administration to begin enrolling.

You may automatically become enrolled in Medicare if you are already receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). If you are automatically enrolled, you will receive your Medicare card three months before your 65th birthday.

If you're under 65 and disabled, you'll automatically be enrolled after you get disability benefits from Social Security or the RRB for 24 months.

How to enroll in Medicare

If you're not automatically enrolled, contact the Social Security Administration:

1. Online—ssa.gov (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)
2. Phone—1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
3. In person—visit your local Social Security Office

If you get RRB benefits, you can contact the Railroad Retirement Board to enroll:

1. Online—rrb.gov (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)
2. Phone—1-877-772-5772 (TTY: 1-312-751-4701)

When can I enroll in Medicare?

* This is not a complete list of Special Enrollment Periods that are available. For a complete list, visit medicare.gov. (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)

Enrolling in a Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan

To enroll in a Part C, Part D or Medicare Supplement Plan, you will have to contact a private health plan that offers the coverage you are interested in. To compare your options, you can visit medicare.gov (this link takes you away from the Fallon Health website) or speak with a counselor from The Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) Program. Contact information for these programs is in the "Learn more" section of this site.

Want to join a Special Needs Plan?

A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage Plan that provides focused care for specific groups of people that have special needs. There are three types of SNPS:

• Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)—for individuals with a severe or disabling chronic condition
• Institutional SNP (I-SNP)—for individuals who live in an institution like a nursing home
• Dual Eligible SNP (D-SNP)—for individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible) coverage

To learn more, visit medicare.gov. (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)

Do you have MassHealth (Medicaid)?

If you do and you’re age 65 or older, you may be eligible for coverage options such as a Medicare Advantage D-SNP or a Massachusetts Senior Care Options (SCO) program. These plans are provided by private health insurance companies and offer more benefits than Medicare and MassHealth Standard alone. With D-SNP and SCO options, you can enroll for the first of any month (as long as you are eligible). To learn more about these coverage options, or to see if you qualify for MassHealth, visit mass.gov. (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)

Plan to work after 65?

If you or your spouse will continue to work after the age of 65 and you will receive coverage through an employer or union group, you may be eligible to join Medicare during a special enrollment period.

When will my Medicare coverage begin?

Whether you are working or retired, Medicare Part A coverage will typically begin on your 65th birthday. The start date of other Medicare coverage will be determined by the type of plan you choose and by the date you enroll.

If you sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period

* If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the month prior to your birthday.
Example: If your birthday in on July 1, and you sign up for Medicare in March, April, or May, your coverage will begin on June 1.

If you sign up for Medicare outside of your Initial Enrollment Period

* This is not a complete list of Special Enrollment Periods that are available. For a complete list, visit medicare.gov. (This link takes you away from the Fallon Health website.)

Enrolling in Part C or D?

If you join a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) in the three months before you turn 65, your coverage begins the first day of the month in which you turn 65. Otherwise, your coverage—in either plan—begins the first day of the month following your enrollment.

What if I enroll late?

*  If you enroll in Part B during a special enrollment period, you will not have to pay a penalty.
** Those who get Medicare's Extra Help with the costs of Medicare Part D prescription drugs will not have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

When can I change my current Medicare coverage?

If you have Medicare coverage but want to switch the way you get Medicare, you can do so during the following times: