How long does it take to get Medicare after signing up?

[Mack]

After you sign up for Medicare online at the Social Security site you will get a confirmation number. Print and save that page that contains your confirmation number as you will need it to check the status of your Medicare application.

You will also receive an email with a link to the Social Security site where you can check the status of your application. The email tells you to wait 5 days. What it does not tell you, and it is nowhere on the Social Security site, is that it takes 30 to 60 days to get approved for Medicare.

It is sort of misleading in that you think that after the 5 days you might know something about your application, but it takes far longer before you will be approved.

That is another reason that it is important to sign up for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday!

 

[oldhippie]

Dude I signed up for Medicare the first week in April and still haven't heard anything. The government sure takes their time about everything. I can see why they tell you to sign up 3 months before you get 65!

 

[Buzzy]

Good to know. I will be signing up for Medicare later this year so I will make sure I sign up 3 months before my birthday.

I hope everything goes smooth!

 

[oldhippie]

Well I just noticed that when I search the SS site to see how the status of my case is doing it now says that a decision has been made on my case and I will be notified by the mail. Before it always said no decision was made. So thus far it has been about 1 month and 10 days since I signed up so maybe we are at the end of the road to getting that Medicare card now!

 

[JackMerton]

Can you technically sign up for Medicare before you reach the appropriate age? I didn't know they would actually let you start the application process early?

 

[Mack]

Can you technically sign up for Medicare before you reach the appropriate age? I didn't know they would actually let you start the application process early?

Hi Jack,

Welcome to our Medicare forum!

You can sign up 3 months before the month you turn 65. So if you turn 65 anytime in September, for example, you can sign up June 1st at the earliest.

I recommend signing up as soon as you are as you can so you can go ahead and get your Medicare number and card. You will need your Medicare number to purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I signed up online and it went real smooth.

 

[JackMerton]

Can you technically sign up for Medicare before you reach the appropriate age? I didn't know they would actually let you start the application process early?

Hi Jack,

Welcome to our Medicare forum!

You can sign up 3 months before the month you turn 65. So if you turn 65 anytime in September, for example, you can sign up June 1st at the earliest.

I recommend signing up as soon as you are as you can so you can go ahead and get your Medicare number and card. You will need your Medicare number to purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I signed up online and it went real smooth.

Thanks, Mack! Yes. I definitely want to get on top of things quickly. I've had some bad experiences with paperwork "hang-ups" when dealing with the government in the past, so I want to be as proactive as possible to make sure things go smoothly. I'd hate to be stuck without any type of coverage for any period of time.

 

[renata]

Unfortunately, because I did not have to apply for Medicare but was automatically enrolled, due to already receiving SS benefits, we did not realize that my husband, who is still employed, would have to apply and would not be automatically enrolled.

We started the application process June 4, and now I am worried that his benefits will not begin July 1 as requested. His 65th birthday is in July. Is it possible that benefits will be retroactive to July 1 when they are approved? He has insurance presently through the CHIP program, and we had already sent them notice to cancel before we realized he had to apply for Medicare. I'm afraid he will wind up without coverage while waiting for Medicare approval. He meets all the criteria, it's basically a matter of rubber stamping.

 

[Mack]

I think it is a matter of how big their workload is. They say 30 to 60 days to get approved once you submit the application. It can vary. Call them and they will talk to you about it.

 

[renata]

Thanks for the response! I did call, but the person I spoke with was not very clear. Perhaps I will try again.