Enrollment in Medicare Part A and B is automatic when a person:
• Turns 65 and is already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement
Board (RRB) benefits. A Medicare card will be mailed about 3 months
before his or her 65th birthday.
• Is under 65 and disabled, he or she will automatically get Part A and B
after getting disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability
benefits from the RRB for 24 months. A Medicare card will be mailed
about 3 months before the 25th month of disability.
• Has ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s
disease). People with ALS automatically get Part A and Part B the
month the disability benefits start.
Note: Part B is optional. Someone who doesn’t want Part B must follow
the instructions that come with the Medicare card, and send the card
back. A person who keeps the card keeps Part B and will pay Part B
premiums.
A person must sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B if he or she:
• Isn’t getting Social Security or RRB benefits (for instance, because he
or she is still working) and wants Part A or Part B. The person should
contact Social Security 3 months before he or she turns 65. People who
worked for a railroad should contact the RRB to sign up.
• Has End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure that
requires dialysis or a kidney transplant). The person should visit the local
Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to sign
up for Part A and Part B. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. For
more information, visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the booklet,
“Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services.”
• Isn’t eligible for premium-free Part A (see page 17) but wants to buy
Part A. The person must also sign up for Part B, and should contact Social
Security 3 months before he or she turns 65.
