How do I enroll in Medicare?

When you're ready to sign-up, you have three options for actually enrolling in Medicare.

1. Enroll online at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly. Before you start the process, look over the online publication “How to apply online for Medicare only”. Social Security promotes using their website as the easiest and quickest way to enroll. If you have questions or your situation is at all unusual, Social Security will contact you.
    
2. Call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday through Friday. Please be aware, depending on when you call, you may wait for extended periods of time before speaking to a person. Then, the agent will schedule a telephone appointment with your Social Security office, which may be several days or weeks in the future. Record the names of the persons you speak with and the time/date of your conversations.
   
   
3. Visit your local Social Security office. To locate an office near you, visit the Social Security office locator website and enter your zip code.  Please note that you may find yourself waiting awhile at a Social Security office.  If you want to reduce this waiting time, you can call (800) 772-1213 to set-up an appointment. Some offices may not schedule appointments. 
   
   

Related: "Information you need to enroll in Medicare"