How to Register by Phone for Medicare

1. Determine your eligibility for Medicare. You are eligible for free hospital Medicare insurance (Part A) if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident over age 65 and eligible to receive Social Security benefits or railroad retirement benefits. You may also be eligible at age 65 if you or your spouse worked in certain government jobs, or you are the dependent parent of a deceased child. (Reference 3)
2. Determine if you are eligible under age 65 due to certain medical conditions. Ask your doctor for help in evaluating your situation. You are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital) if you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for two years. You may also be eligible if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or permanent kidney failure. (Reference 3)
3. Call the customer service department of Medicare if you need help determining your eligibility. The phone number is 1-800-MEDICARE and offers information in both English and Spanish. (Reference 4)
4. Look for the Initial Enrollment Questionnaire in your mailbox if you are eligible due to age. It should arrive about three months before you turn 65. Fill out the questionnaire as completely as you can. This will help you have all the information you need when you call to enroll. (Reference 1)
5. Call to enroll in Medicare Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The phone number is 1-800-999-1118. The phone number for hearing-impaired people using TTY is 1-800-318-8782. Listen to the voice prompts that tell you which buttons to push to get through the message. Use the IEQ form to answer the questions. You will automatically be enrolled in Part A and B and your Medicare card will arrive in the mail. (Reference 1)