Medicare eligibility and enrollment

As you approach retirement or your 65th birthday, learn about Medicare eligibility requirements and how to enroll.

Who is eligible for Original Medicare

Medicare is a government health insurance program for Americans who are 65 or older and younger people who have certain disabilities and receive Social Security benefits.

Medicare was first created in two parts, Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (coverage for doctor visits and outpatient care). Together, they’re called Original Medicare.

Original Medicare is available to people who:

Are age 65 or older
Are a U.S. citizen or have been a legal resident for five consecutive years
Are eligible for benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board

Are under age 65 and are permanently disabled and have received Social Security Disability for two years
Have end-stage renal disease requiring ongoing dialysis or a transplant
Have paid into Medicare through payroll taxes during your (or your spouse’s) working years

Enroll at the right time

Your Initial Enrollment Period for Original Medicare is a seven-month window — from three months before your 65th birthday month to three months after your 65th birthday month. Coverage can begin as soon as the first day of the month you turn 65.

Enrollment order

You must enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Part D prescription drug plan.

Social Security benefits

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Disabled and under 65

If you are disabled and under 65, you will get Part A and Part B automatically after you’ve received disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months.

Working past 65

If you or your spouse plan to work past age 65, you may not need to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65.

Learn about working past 65

Coverage effective date

If you apply for Medicare prior to your Part A and Part B effective date, your coverage will take effect on your Part A and Part B effective date

If you apply for Medicare after your Part A and Part B effective date, your coverage will be effective the 1st of the month following the date of receipt

How to enroll in Original Medicare

Anyone who already gets Social Security retirement or disability benefits is automatically enrolled in Original Medicare.

If you need to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B, here are ways to do so:

By phone

Call 1-800-772-1213
Call TTY 1-800-325-0778
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

In person

Visit your nearest Social Security office. Bring proof of your age and W-2 forms for the past two years.

Online

Apply at ssa.gov

How to enroll in a Minnesota Blue Cross Medicare plan

When you are newly eligible for Medicare you can add additional coverage, which is offered by private insurers, to help pay for costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

Examples of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans are Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Cost, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

If you choose to enroll in one of our Medicare plans, you can do so during your initial enrollment period (or annually during the Medicare open enrollment period).

View our Medicare plans