To sign up for Medicare, you can typically enroll online through the official Medicare website or contact the Social Security Administration by phone. The enrollment process involves providing personal information, choosing your coverage options, and ensuring you meet eligibility requirements.

When enrolling in Medicare online, you'll typically need your personal information, including your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about your current or previous employer's health insurance coverage (if applicable). It's important to have these details ready to complete the online enrollment process.

Several resources can help you enroll in a Medicare plan, including the official Medicare website, local Social Security offices, certified insurance agents or brokers specializing in Medicare, and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), which offer free counseling and enrollment assistance. Additionally, you can consult with Medicare counselors or advisors who provide personalized guidance and assistance based on your specific needs and preferences.

Eligibility for Medicare in the United States typically depends on age, with most individuals becoming eligible at age 65, although younger people with certain disabilities or those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may also qualify. To determine your eligibility, consider your age, disability status, and whether you have ESRD, and consult with the Social Security Administration or Medicare for specific details.

Medicare covers a range of healthcare services, including inpatient hospital care, outpatient medical services, doctor visits, preventive care, and some prescription drug coverage. It also provides coverage for skilled nursing facility care, hospice services, and certain home health care services.

Medicare costs can vary depending on the specific parts of Medicare you enroll in and your income. In general, Medicare Part A is often premium-free for eligible individuals, while Medicare Part B and Part D have monthly premiums, and there can be additional out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Medicare does not cover certain healthcare expenses, including most dental care, routine vision and hearing exams, long-term care in a nursing home, cosmetic surgery, and most prescription drugs not administered in a healthcare facility. To fill these gaps, beneficiaries often explore supplemental coverage options such as dental insurance, vision and hearing plans, and Medicare Part D for prescription drugs.

To sign up for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), you typically need to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. After you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can apply for a Medigap policy through a private insurance company licensed in your state that offers these plans.

Medicare benefits typically begin on the first day of the month you turn 65, provided you enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). If you sign up after your IEP, your coverage may have a delayed start date, so it's important to enroll during the appropriate enrollment period to avoid gaps in coverage.

If you are 65 or older and still working with employer-provided health coverage, you may have the option to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without incurring late enrollment penalties. However, it's important to assess your specific situation and consult with Medicare to determine the best course of action, as individual circumstances can vary.

You do not need to receive Social Security benefits to enroll in Medicare. While many people sign up for both Medicare and Social Security simultaneously, you can apply for Medicare independently, and eligibility is primarily age-based or related to disability, not tied to Social Security benefits.

To change your Medicare coverage, you can typically do so during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, allowing you to switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change your Part D prescription drug plan, or join a Part D plan if you didn't enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period. You can also make changes during Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) triggered by specific life events, such as moving to a new area with different Medicare options or losing employer coverage.