what papers to apply for medicare part a

• Your Social Security card (or other proof of your SSN)
• An original copy of a document proving your age, such as a birth certificate, census record, or vaccine record – if possible, it should be from before you turned five
• Documentation proving legal residency, such as a U.S. passport (if you weren’t born in the United States)
• Your original military service papers (if you served in the military before 1968)

Full Answer

What documents do I need to apply for Medicare in person?

When applying for Medicare in person, you’ll need to bring the following documents with you: An original copy of a document proving your age, such as a birth certificate, census record, or vaccine record – if possible, it should be from before you turned five

How do I apply for Medicare?

You can apply online (at Social Security) - select “Already Enrolled in Medicare” from the menu. Or, fax or mail your forms to your local Social Security office. If you live outside the U.S.:

How can Social Security help you get Medicare documents?

Social Security can help you get copies of any documents you no longer have. When you apply for Medicare, you might need to provide some documents that show you’re eligible for the program.

Where can I find information about the Medicare program?

The information in this booklet describes the Medicare Program at the time this booklet was printed. Changes may occur after printing. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the most current information. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

What is required for Medicare Part A?

You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

Will I automatically be signed up for Medicare Part A?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)

Does everyone get Medicare Part A for free?

coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called "premium-free Part A." Most people get premium-free Part A. The health care items or services covered under a health insurance plan.

What information do I need to create Medicare account?

Once your Medicare coverage is active, take a few minutes to create a MyMedicare.gov account....2. Enter Your Personal InformationMedicare number. Enter your Medicare ID number as it appears on your card. ... Part A or Part B coverage start date. ... Last name.Date of birth.ZIP code.Email address (optional)

Do you automatically get enrolled in Part A?

You'll automatically get Part A but not Part B. You must call Social Security at (1-800-772-1213) to sign up for Part B. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. If you don't enroll in Part B when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B.

Do I get Part A automatically?

You automatically get Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board).

Does Medicare Part A cover emergency room visits?

Does Medicare Part A Cover Emergency Room Visits? Medicare Part A is sometimes called “hospital insurance,” but it only covers the costs of an emergency room (ER) visit if you're admitted to the hospital to treat the illness or injury that brought you to the ER.

How much is Medicare Part A?

Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A (sometimes called "premium-free Part A"). If you buy Part A, you'll pay up to $499 each month in 2022. If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $499.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?

If you don't have to pay a Part A premium, you generally don't have to pay a Part A late enrollment penalty. The Part A penalty is 10% added to your monthly premium. You generally pay this extra amount for twice the number of years that you were eligible for Part A but not enrolled.

How long does it take to get Medicare after applying?

between 30-60 daysMedicare applications generally take between 30-60 days to obtain approval.

Who is not eligible for Medicare Part A?

Why might a person not be eligible for Medicare Part A? A person must be 65 or older to qualify for Medicare Part A. Unless they meet other requirements, such as a qualifying disability, they cannot get Medicare Part A benefits before this age. Some people may be 65 but ineligible for premium-free Medicare Part A.

Do I need separate logins for Social Security and Medicare?

Both SSA and Medicare have on-line portals you can use to reach specific information related to you and your personal issues. This process requires creating passwords and logins for the myssa.gov website or the myMedicare.gov portals.

What are the parts of Medicare?

Together, parts A and B are known as original Medicare. You’ll need to enroll in original Medicare before you can enroll in any other Medicare parts. Other parts of Medicare include: Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage.

How long does it take to sign up for Medicare?

Initial enrollment period. This is a 7-month window around your 65th birthday when you can sign up for Medicare. It begins 3 months before your birth month, includes the month of your birthday, and extends 3 months after your birth month. During this time, you can enroll in all parts of Medicare without a penalty.

How long do you have to sign up for Medicare if you have delayed enrollment?

If you delayed Medicare enrollment for an approved reason, you can later enroll during a special enrollment period. You have 8 months from the end of your coverage or the end of your employment to sign up without penalty. Medicare Advantage open enrollment (January 1–March 31).

How to get a copy of my naturalization certificate?

You can fill out Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship, either online or by mail, to have a copy of these documents sent to you.

How to replace a permanent resident card?

Citizenship and Immigration Services. You can fill out Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card , either online or by mail.

When is the open enrollment period for Medicare?

Open enrollment period (October 15–December 7). During this time, you can switch from original Medicare (parts A and B) to Part C (Medicare Advantage), or from Part C back to original Medicare. You can also switch Part C plans or add, remove, or change a Part D plan. General enrollment period (January 1–March 31).

Do you have to provide information to Medicare?

In some cases, Medicare and Social Security might already have some of this information; however, you’ll be asked to provide any information they don’t have. For example, you might need to submit documents that prove your: age. citizenship. income history. military service.

How to apply for medicare over the phone?

By phone. Call 1-800-772-1213 between 7am and 7pm Monday through Friday to apply over the phone. If you are hard of hearing, you may dial 1-800-325-0778. In person. Visit your local Social Security office to apply for Medicare in person. If you're eligible for or enrolled in Medicare and you want to compare your Medicare plan options, ...

When do you start enrolling in Medicare?

However, you may begin the enrollment process three months before turning 65, which is when your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) typically begins. Learn more about the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.

How long does it take to sign up for Medicare?

You may apply for Medicare online through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. The application process typically takes no more than 10 minutes to complete. By phone.

Do you have to provide military records for Medicare?

There are some specific rules concerning Medicare and veteran’s health insurance benefits, and you may have to provide records of your military service if you are receiving any such military or veteran’s benefits.

Is Medicare Part C the same as Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) provide the same benefits as Original Medicare, and many plans may offer additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. If you are eligible for Original Medicare, you may also be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Social Security May Request Birth Certificates and Tax Information

The application process for Medicare asks for several pieces of information, including:

Seniors Can Use Other Documents to Prove Their Eligibility

If a senior doesn’t have a record of their birth in the form of a birth certificate, another document such as a passport can be used. If they don’t have a passport, Social Security may accept immunization or other medical records, school records or state census records as proof of age.

Medicare Eligibility

Your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare lasts for seven months, starting three months before you reach the age of 65 and ending three months after. Eligibility for Medicare benefits is available for people age 65 and older.

What to Bring When Applying for Medicare

If you’re collecting Social Security benefits before you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare. You won’t need to dig up any documents to apply. The same goes for being eligible due to collecting SSDI after 24 months.

Documents for Medicare Advantage and Medigap

Whether you sign up for Medicare Advantage or Medigap, you’ll need both your Medicare number and the date your Original Medicare coverage started. This information will be on your Medicare card. You can also access this information through your dashboard on the Social Security website if you created an account to enroll.

What If I Lost My Documents?

If you lost your documents or can’t locate them, you still have time to obtain new copies before applying for Medicare. This involves contacting your state or local offices for copies of records and other documents that you might not have readily available. Here’s how you can obtain new copies.

Enrolling in Medicare

Once you’ve got all of your documents in order, you’re ready to apply! To get started, check out my guide: How to Apply for Medicare.

What is Part A insurance?

Part A helps cover your inpatient care in hospitals. Part A also includes coverage in critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also covers hospice care and home health care. You must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.

What does Part B cover?

Part B helps cover medically necessary services like doctors’ services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover. Part B also covers many preventive services. Part B coverage is your choice. However, you need to have Part B if you want to buy Part A.

Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to everyone with Medicare. Private companies provide this coverage. You choose the Medicare drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered. If you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don’t get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty. You may have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

Can I get medicare if I have SSI?

Getting SSI doesn’t make you eligible for Medicare. SSI provides a monthly cash benefit and health coverage under Medicaid. Your spouse may qualify for Medicare when he/she turns 65 or has received disability benefits for 24 months.