By Christian BrinkleyLicensed NC Insurance Agent, NPN 22217190, NC Life & Health · Updated October 10, 2026 · 3 min read
The fastest way to apply for Medicare is online at ssa.gov, and it takes about ten minutes. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office in person. If you already receive Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you do not need to apply at all. Enrollment in Parts A and B is automatic, and your card arrives in the mail. Everyone else should apply during the seven-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.
Applying online: what you need
Go to ssa.gov and find the Medicare application. You will need your Social Security number, your birth certificate or proof of citizenship, and information about any current health coverage. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in most cases. If you are applying for Social Security retirement at the same time, the systems connect and one application can start both.
After you submit, Social Security mails your Medicare card with your Medicare number. Keep an eye out for it and store the card somewhere safe. Never laminate it. Use a protective sleeve instead.
Applying by phone or in person
Call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday. An agent takes the same application over the phone. If you prefer face to face, your local Social Security office takes walk-ins and appointments.
In Greensboro the office is at 6005 Landmark Center Boulevard, open Monday through Friday 9 to 4. Appointments are required for most visits now, so call the local number, 1-877-319-3075, before you go.
When to apply
Apply during your Initial Enrollment Period: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. Applying early means your coverage starts on time. Since 2023, if you apply in the last three months of the window, coverage starts the first of the next month instead of making you wait.
If you are delaying Part B because of employer coverage, you apply later during your Special Enrollment Period instead. The online application handles that path too.
After you apply: the card and the next steps
Your red, white, and blue Medicare card arrives by mail with your Medicare number, which replaced Social Security numbers on cards years ago. Guard that number like you guarded your Social Security number. It is the key to your medical identity.
Once you have Parts A and B, you can add drug coverage, compare Medigap or Advantage options, and set up how you pay the Part B premium. If you take Social Security, the premium comes out of your check automatically. While you wait for the card, you can already compare drug plans and Medigap or Advantage options so you are ready to decide the day it arrives.
Questions people ask me about this
Do I need to apply if I already get Social Security?
No. If you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits before 65, Parts A and B start automatically and your card arrives by mail.
Can someone apply for me?
A trusted person can help you complete the application, and you can designate a representative to deal with Social Security on your behalf with the proper authorization.
How long does the online application take?
About ten minutes for most people. You get a confirmation number, and your card arrives by mail in a few weeks.
What if I lose my Medicare card?
Request a free replacement by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or logging into your ssa.gov account. Do not laminate the card; use a protective sleeve.
Can I apply for Medicare before I turn 65?
Yes. Your Initial Enrollment Period opens three months before your 65th birthday month, and applying early means your coverage starts right on time.
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