There are three ways to apply for Medicare benefits. You can make an appointment to visit a Social Security office to complete your application in person, call the Social Security toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, or apply online.
You can apply for Medicare online at the www.socialsecurity.gov website.
Similar to applying for Medicare at a Social Security office or by telephone, the applicant must be close to the age for enrolling in the program, i.e., online applicants must be nearing their “full retirement age.” Full retirement age varies depending on the applicant’s date of birth. In addition, online applicants must not currently be a recipient of Medicare benefits, must reside in the United States or one of its territories or commonwealths, and must not be in need of Social Security benefits at the time of applying for Medicare.
The online application takes about 10 to 30 minutes to complete. You will be prompted to answer preliminary questions to determine if you can continue with the online application. Enter your full name, social security number, gender, and date of birth. Other information you will need to provide includes your bank account and routing transit number, the amount of income earned in the preceding year and this year, and your employer’s name and address.
You will be prompted to confirm under penalty of perjury that the information entered on your Medicare application is truthful. Providing false or misleading information is prosecutable. The Medicare online application allows you to electronically “sign” your application.
If an applicant is unable to complete the full application in one session, the Medicare online application allows an applicant to save the information they have entered. Save your information by clicking on the “Continue Your Application Later” button.