Getting Started with Medicare Parts A & B
At its core, Medicare starts with two foundational pieces: Part A and Part B — together known as Original Medicare.
What Are Parts A and B?
Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice, and some home health services.
Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment.
Together, they form the base of your Medicare coverage. Most additional plans — Medicare Advantage, Medigap supplements, Part D — build from there.
When Should I Enroll?
Your first opportunity to enroll is your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):
Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday
Includes your birthday month
Ends 3 months after
Missing this window can result in late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage. It's worth marking on your calendar well in advance.
How Do I Enroll?
If you're already collecting Social Security before you turn 65, you'll typically be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Your Medicare card will arrive about 3 months before your birthday month.
If you're not collecting Social Security yet, you'll need to enroll on your own. You can do that:
Online at ssa.gov
By phone
In person at a Social Security office (call ahead — appointments can take several weeks)
Once your enrollment is complete, it may take up to 6 weeks for your Medicare ID card to arrive. You'll need your Medicare ID number before you can apply for any additional coverage through insurance carriers, so starting early matters. You can begin the application process for supplemental coverage up to 3 months before you want it to take effect.
What If I'm Still Working?
If you have health insurance through your employer — or through a spouse's employer — you may be able to delay Part B without penalty. Whether that makes sense depends on your specific coverage. It's one of those situations where the details matter more than the general rule.
What Comes Next?
Once you're enrolled, you can look at additional coverage options — Medicare Advantage, supplemental plans, Part D prescription coverage — to fill in the gaps. You'll need your Medicare ID number in hand before submitting applications to insurance carriers.
If you'd like to walk through your options with a licensed advisor, we're available to help at no cost.
By calling 800-477-0764, you agree to speak with an independent health insurance agent about Medicare insurance products. We are not affiliated with Medicare or any government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 61 products. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. This is an advertisement.
