It’s finally here! The day you’ve been waiting for all year long. You’re 65 years old, and now it’s time to sign up for Medicare Part B. But where do you start? If this is your first time signing up for Medicare, then don’t worry. I am here to help guide you through the process step by step, with tips that will make it as easy as pie! So let’s get started!

To sign up for Medicare Part B, you can visit the Social Security website or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. You will need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth. You will also need to provide information about your current health insurance plan.

Seniors are turning 65 every day and becoming eligible for Medicare. If you’re one of them, you might be wondering how to sign up for Medicare Part B. It’s not difficult, but there are a few things you need to know first. We will explain how to enroll in Medicare Part B and tell you what to expect during the process. Keep reading to learn more!

Facts About Medicare Part A

Before we talk about the Application Tutorial on Medicare Part B, it is necessary we briefly talk about Part A of Medicare. More specifically why we generally don’t need to sign up for it. Medicare Part A is active on the first of the month we turn 65. The reason is we don’t have to pay anything for Medicare Part A is because we paid into social security for 10 years or more or for 40 individual quarters. Even if you currently have coverage through your employer, your part A of Medicare will go into effect. Be looking for your Medicare card in the mail three months before your Medicare goes into effect. Generally the first of the month when you turn 65.

When to Sign Up for Medicare Part B Tutorial

Next, let’s talk about when you need to sign up for Medicare Part B and when Part B is assigned automatically. Let’s start with when you don’t need to sign up for Medicare Part B because it will be done automatically. Medicare Part B is automatically activated when we start to draw on our social security. Before we reach the age of 65. Many people start taking their social security benefits early, some start at age 62. What happens if you start drawing your social security benefit before you turn 65 the government will automatically enroll you into Part B of Medicare on the first of the month when you turn 65. Or it will enroll you a month early if your birthday is on the first of the month.

Does Medicare Start the First Day of Your Birthday Month?

If you were born anywhere from the 2nd to the last day of the month, your Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B will be effective the first of the month of your birthday month. However, if you were born on the first day of the month, then your Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B will become effective a whole month early. It will become effective the first of the month one month prior to your birthday month. The government will then start automatically deducting the Part B premium from your social security benefit. To sum this up if you are drawing social security benefits before you reach age 65 you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B. It will be done automatically and the Part B premium will be automatically deducted from your social security benefits. 

When Should I Receive My New Medicare Card?

Your Medicare card will come in the mail and generally comes three months before your Medicare goes into effect. What’s important is there are many people that accidentally throw away their Medicare cards. The reason being is they’re getting bombarded by advertisements from Medicare insurance companies. They mistakenly throw it away because they think it is junk mail and don’t open it. So, three months before your Medicare will become effective this is what you need to be looking for. It will come in a plain white window envelope. The logo for Health and Human Services will be in the top left-hand corner where the return address is. The best way I can describe this is that it looks like a line drawing of an eagle and also doubles as a human face as well.

Do I need to Sign up for Medicare Part B?

When turning 65 and are not receiving social security payments, it will probably be in your best interest to sign up for Medicare Part B if you don’t receive health insurance from your employer. If you’re receiving health insurance from your employer you should speak with the health insurance administrator to see if they require you to be on Part B of Medicare. If you’re retiring and leaving your group coverage or you are putting your Part B into place past the age of 65 you likely will not be able to do this online. 

Applying for Medicare Part B After Age 65

If you are applying for Medicare Part B past age 65 you will need to contact social security and in all likelihood need to set an appointment to go see a social security agent in person. The phone number for social security is 800-772-1213. Be aware that social security is not open 24 hours a day and there’s likely to be a long hold time. Generally, the hold time is 20-40 minutes and certainly can be longer as well.

Understanding Special Enrollment Period

If you’re retiring you will also need a form filled out by your employer so you don’t have a penalty. What you are technically doing is applying for what is called a Special Enrollment Period. This enables you to get your Medicare Part B set up outside of your initial enrollment period when you turned 65. Also, this form will show you have employer coverage also called group coverage. This will make it so you do not have to pay any penalties. Again, I make this easy to get the form. A link is located below where I have uploaded the form to my website. 4

https://trustedbenefitsdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Part-B-Employer-Form.pdf

Simply print this out and take it to your health benefits administrator. It’s likely they have seen this form before and will know exactly what to do with it.

Can You Sign Up for Medicare Part B on the Internet?

If you do need to sign up for Part B we will now talk about how to do that. To make this easy, I’ve set up a website that will take you to the page you need in order to sign up. The website is https://partbnow.com. You would think that you need to go to Medicare’s website, but for whatever reason, in order to sign up for Medicare Part B, it is not done on Medicare’s site. It is done through the social security website.

Can Medicare Part B be Done Online?

Now let’s talk about the steps you need to go through in order to apply online. I have taken screenshots from the official website. To give you an idea of how to get started I have put all of the info needed on my website. The easiest place to start is my website. You will want to click the Medicare Part B enrollment button on the website. It will take you to the page you need to sign up for Part B of Medicare. Here you’ll want to click the Apply Online blue button. The next page is the Benefits Application Terms of Service page.

When you have read and understood the terms click the “I Understand and agree to the above statement” box. Click the next button. On this page, you will want to click on the Start a New Application Button. Or if you are returning to an application you will want to click on the return to save the application process. Here you will want to click on whether you are applying for yourself or if you’re applying for someone else.

How Do I Create a Social Security Account Online?

Next click on whether you have a social security account. If you don’t have a social security account it will take you to a page to create an account. Below there is a video where you can see how to create a social security account. If you already have an account, it will ask you for a way to identify yourself. I have my cell phone in my account and social security sends me a text message with a verification code.

If you don’t have your cell phone I think it will send you a verification email. After verifying your identity, it will take you to the application for benefits page. It should already have your full name, social security number, and date of birth. Here you’ll need to answer if you are male or female. If you are blind, or if you have been unable to work. 

Tutorial on Medicare Part B Application Easy Guide For Disability

If you are applying because of a disability you will want to click yes to this question, and fill out some additional information. I clicked yes to this question because it wouldn’t let me continue if I entered no because I am not 65 years of age yet.  In the coming pages, you see they will be a little different than yours because I am technically applying for Medicare because of a disability. I did not submit my application when doing this, because I don’t have a disability, but I wanted to be able to get all of these screenshots so you know what to expect. 

What’s a Re-entry Number?

Next, you will enter your address, phone number, and best time to call you if they need to contact you. Also on the same page is your language preference. Next is your place of birth. After you enter your place of birth. You will be given what is called a re-entry number. This is the number you will want to enter if you are continuing a saved application. After you enter the re-entry number and your social security number it will then re-identify your identity again through a text message or email. Ok, we are on the home stretch here. The next page asks if you have used any other social security numbers or names. After this, it should take you to the review information page.

When you get to this page you will want to look for checkmarks, as that will indicate you have completed each section. If something is missing a red “X” should appear and you can go back to correct any missing information. When you have all green checkmarks, and you are comfortable in doing so, you can go ahead and submit your electronic signature. Simply read the agreement, click the box here and last click on the accept and continue button. After you click the accept and continue button that should take you to a confirmation page you can print out if you like.

Conclusion — How To Easily Sign Up For Medicare Part B

With the help of this article, I hope that you were able to find out if Medicare Part B is right for you and how to go about signing up. If not, or if you still have questions after reading through all my tips today, please contact me anytime at 800-910-3382. I am happy to answer any additional questions! Have a great day!

About The Author — Christopher Duncan

I’m Chris Duncan, owner of Trusted Benefits Direct. As your Medicare advisor, I want you to know that my business offers superior solutions for everyone. I do not work for insurance companies, which allows me to serve you at a high level without any hidden agendas or conflicts of interest. All resources are provided at no cost. Because people must find peace of mind when looking ahead years down the line.

As an insurance agent, it’s my goal to make your life easier. That includes the process of securing all types of coverage for you and your loved ones, including Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Final Expense life insurance services, and retirement security plans. You can reach me toll-free at 800-910-3382 or get a free quote on MedicareRateQuote.com with just a few clicks! Don’t forget that I also offer contact forms if you would like more information from trustedbenefitsdirect.com – click here now!

Important YouTube Channel Details

I appreciate you looking through my article. If it is interesting to you, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Don’t forget to share this on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter so your friends can read it too! I appreciate it when people take the time to comment or post their opinion of my articles to continue writing content related to Medicare Basics, Medicaid Made Clear, Medicare Explained, Medicare 101, and others. It’s always nice to know that you’re reading my blog! Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing more of you soon on my next blog!