Can you get Medicare without collecting Social Security yet? Here is what you need to know

Chiefly designed for adults aged 65 and older, Medicare is one of the federal government’s primary health insurance programs in the United States.

As a person approaches their 65th birthday, they have a seven-month window to enroll in Medicare, known as the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This timeframe includes the month they turn 65, the three months before, and the three months after.

The enrollment process differs depending on whether the applicant is already receiving Social Security benefits. Here’s what people turning 65 need to know.

Can you get Medicare without claiming Social Security?

If a person is already receiving Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically enrolls them in Medicare Part A and Part B when they turn 65. (Some under-65s are also automatically signed up: no matter their age, recipients of disability benefits will, typically, be enrolled to Part A and Part B after a waiting period.)

However, individuals who have not yet started collecting Social Security benefits, or who are not eligible for those payments, must enroll in Medicare on their own.

How do you enroll in Medicare?

People age 65 and older who live in the U.S. or one of its territories and have not yet claimed Social Security benefits can follow these steps to enroll in Medicare during their IEP:

• Review the online application checklist to see what information you’ll need before getting started.
• Visit the SSA’s website and select “Sign up for Medicare”.
• Complete and submit the application. The process typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes. To finish your application, you’ll need to sign in to your personal “my Social Security” account. If you don’t have one, you can create one here.
• After completing the application, select “Submit Now” to send it.

Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt and application number that you can use to track your enrollment status. The government will review your application and contact you if additional information is needed. After processing is complete, you’ll receive a letter with the decision.

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What does Medicare cover?

Medicare consists of four parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Here’s what each part includes:

• Part A: Helps cover inpatient hospital care and limited stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital admission. Part A also covers certain home health services and hospice care.
• Part B: Helps pay for physician services and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, home healthcare services, durable medical equipment, and a wide range of preventive services.
• Part C: Combines all benefits covered under Parts A and B and often includes prescription drug coverage, as well as extra benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental care, all through a single plan.
• Part D: Helps cover the cost of prescription medications.

Both Part C and Part D plans are provided by private insurance companies that operate under Medicare’s rules and regulations.

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