Medicare

Frequently Asked Questions:

If I Continue Working Past 65, Should I Still Apply For Medicare Benefits Then?

How Do I Apply For Medicare Benefits?

If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact you a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and give you the information you need to register.  If you are not already getting checks, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213  about three months before your 65th Birthday to sign up for Medicare.  They also have a TTY phone connection at 1-800-325-0778.

If I Continue Working Past 65, Should I Still Apply For Medicare Benefits Then?

You should sign up for Medicare even if you don't plan to retire at age 65 or you may be penalized a 10 percent premium surcharge for each year past age 65 that you do not have Medicare. To register for Medicare, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 about three months before your 65th birthday.  They also have a TTY phone connection at 1-800-325-0778.

However, if you are age 65 or older and are covered under a group health plan either from your own employment or you are covered from your spouse's employment, you may delay enrolling in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) without having to wait for a general enrollment period or pay the 10 percent premium surcharge for late enrollment. The rules allow you to:

• Enroll in Medicare Part B any time while you are covered under the group health plan, or
• Enroll in Part B during an eight-month special enrollment period that begins with the month your group health coverage ends or the month employment ends, whichever comes first.