How to Apply for Medicare Online, Step by Step

If you’re turning 65 or getting ready to sign up for Medicare, you can handle almost the entire process online — no waiting on hold, no trip to the Social Security office required for most people. But there are actually two different online applications depending on your situation, and using the wrong one is one of the most common mix-ups we see with clients across Cincinnati, Bethel, and the surrounding counties. Here’s exactly how the process works, step by step.

Two Different Online Applications, Not One

Most people picture “applying for Medicare online” as a single form, but Social Security actually runs two separate online paths, and which one applies to you depends on your situation. If this is your first time enrolling — whether you’re turning 65 or simply haven’t signed up yet — you’ll use the general Medicare application at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. If you already have Part A, delayed Part B because you had qualifying coverage through an employer while working, and that coverage is now ending, you’ll use a different, shorter path built specifically for that Special Enrollment Period. We’ll walk through both below. If you’re not sure which one applies to you because you’re still weighing whether to enroll while employed, our guide on Medicare and working past 65 covers that decision in more detail first.

Before You Start: Create Your Online Account

Every online Medicare application starts with a my Social Security account, and as of mid-2025, Social Security retired its old login system entirely — new accounts can only be created through Login.gov or ID.me, both of which handle identity verification for a range of federal services, not just Social Security. If you haven’t set this up yet, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and choose either option (Login.gov is the more straightforward default if you’re not sure). Plan on 5 to 20 minutes for the identity verification step itself. Our honest advice: do this a few days ahead of time rather than the same day you plan to submit your Medicare application, especially if you’re working against an enrollment deadline. Verifying your identity and filling out the actual Medicare application in the same sitting adds unnecessary pressure if something goes wrong with the verification step.

What You’ll Need on Hand

The application itself is shorter than most people expect. Have these ready before you start:

• Your Social Security number
• Your place of birth
• Details on any current health insurance, including an employer plan or a Marketplace policy, if you have one
• An active email address — some steps require an electronic signature, which sends a confirmation to your inbox
• If you’re applying through the Special Enrollment Period path below, your employer’s contact information, since they’ll need to complete a separate form

Step by Step: Applying for Part A and Part B Together

This is the path most first-time enrollees use, whether you’re applying right around your 65th birthday or simply haven’t signed up yet. It typically takes 10 to 30 minutes start to finish.

• Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and select “Apply for Medicare Only.” This is the button you want even if you’re not ready to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits yet — it lets you enroll in health coverage on its own.
• Read and accept the terms of service, then choose “Start a New Application.” You’ll immediately be given a re-entry number — write it down or screenshot it right away. If you get interrupted partway through, this number is the only way to pick up where you left off instead of starting over.
• Confirm you’re applying for yourself and indicate whether you already have a my Social Security account (you should, from the step above).
• Work through the application questions. For most people this is genuinely just the Social Security number, place of birth, and current health insurance information mentioned above — it’s shorter than the paper form.
• Review your answers and submit. You’ll see a confirmation screen with a reference number immediately — save this before you close the browser tab.

Step by Step: Signing Up for Part B Only, If You’re Ending Employer Coverage

If you already have Part A, delayed Part B while you had qualifying coverage through an employer, and that job or coverage is ending (or ended within the last 8 months), you’re in a Special Enrollment Period — and Social Security built a separate, more direct online path for exactly this situation.

• Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only rather than the general application.
• Complete the CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B) online, and have your employer complete the CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information), which documents your qualifying coverage and when it ends.
• You’ll sign the application electronically, which is why an email address is required for this path specifically.
• If your employer fills out a paper CMS-L564 instead of completing it online, you can upload it directly: from your my Social Security dashboard, select “Upload Documents,” choose “SSA Form” as the document type, select CMS-40B from the dropdown, and attach both forms.
• Prefer not to upload anything? Faxing or mailing the completed forms to your local Social Security office works just as well — it just takes longer to process.

This is the exact scenario we cover in more depth in our guide on what to do with Medicare if you’re still working past 65, including how the 8-month window is calculated and what happens if you miss it.

What Happens After You Submit

You won’t be left wondering whether it went through. Immediately after submitting, you’ll get a confirmation screen with a reference number. From there, expect a confirmation letter in the mail within 2 to 6 weeks stating your enrollment has been processed and your effective date, and your red, white, and blue Medicare card should arrive within 2 to 4 weeks after your application is approved. If it’s been longer than that and you haven’t heard anything, you can check your application status online through your my Social Security account or call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.

What If You’d Rather Not Do This Online?

Plenty of people would rather talk it through with an actual person, and that’s completely reasonable given how much rides on getting it right. You can apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office (find yours at ssa.gov’s office locator). And if you’d like help thinking through the decision itself — not just filling out the form — our Cincinnati Medicare agent team sits down with people from Bethel and across Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, and Warren counties every day to walk through exactly this, at no cost.

A Mix-Up Worth Avoiding

If you claim Social Security retirement benefits before or right at 65, you’re generally enrolled in Medicare automatically — no separate application needed. But if you want Medicare without claiming retirement benefits yet, which is common for people who plan to keep working or simply aren’t ready to start their Social Security income, you have to specifically select “Apply for Medicare Only” rather than a general retirement application. We see people accidentally start the wrong application often enough that it’s worth calling out directly. If this is your exact situation, our dedicated guide on how to apply for Medicare when you’re not collecting Social Security walks through the handful of places this application asks something slightly different for you.

Once You’re Enrolled: Setting Up Payment

Enrolling in Medicare and setting up how you’ll pay your premium are two separate steps — the application above doesn’t set up billing for you. If you’re not having premiums deducted from a Social Security check, you’ll want to set up Medicare Easy Pay separately once your enrollment is confirmed. Our guide on how to set up Medicare Easy Pay without Social Security covers exactly how that works and what to expect in the meantime.

Beyond Getting Enrolled

Once the enrollment itself is handled, a lot of the clients we work with turn next to the gaps that Medicare — even paired with a solid Supplement or Advantage plan — doesn’t fully close. A serious diagnosis like a heart attack, stroke, or cancer can still mean real out-of-pocket costs and a stretch of in-home recovery that Medicare only covers in limited, short-term circumstances. We broke down exactly what those costs tend to look like, and what Medicare does and doesn’t pay for, in our recent piece on what cancer, heart attack, and stroke actually cost. If that’s a gap you’d rather not leave open, it’s worth a conversation about short-term home care coverage as an add-on once your Medicare enrollment itself is squared away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Medicare online if I’m not ready to start Social Security retirement benefits?

Yes. Select “Apply for Medicare Only” at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up rather than a retirement benefits application. This lets you enroll in Medicare on its own timeline, separate from when you eventually decide to claim Social Security income.

How long does it take for an online Medicare application to process?

You’ll get a confirmation screen with a reference number the moment you submit. After that, expect a confirmation letter within 2 to 6 weeks and your Medicare card within 2 to 4 weeks of approval.

Do I need a my Social Security account to apply online?

Yes. Since Social Security retired its legacy login system in 2025, you’ll need to create an account through Login.gov or ID.me at ssa.gov/myaccount before starting either online Medicare application.

Can I sign up for Part B only online if I already have Part A?

Yes, if you’re in a Special Enrollment Period because employer coverage is ending or ended within the last 8 months. Use ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only and complete the CMS-40B and CMS-L564 forms as described above.

What if I make a mistake on my application?

If you haven’t submitted yet, your re-entry number lets you go back and correct anything. After submission, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to fix an error — it’s common enough that they’re used to handling it.

Want a second set of eyes before you submit, or just prefer to talk through your specific situation first? Reach out to our Cincinnati Medicare team — there’s no cost and no obligation, whether you’re in Bethel, Hamilton County, or anywhere else in Southwest Ohio.