Get Ready to Enroll Congratulations on making it to the very last email in our Medicare help series! By now, you should have all the information you need to find the best Medicare plan to fit your needs. What you need to sign up While enrolling in Medicare can seem overwhelming, preparing everything ahead of time can make the signup process run smoothly. Here's what you'll need to have on hand once you're ready: - your personal information, such as full birth name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- your spouse's or children's information
- your bank or financial institution's information
- your place of work and income information
- any information on retirement or disability benefits you receive
- additional documents to prove citizenship or employment status
Keeping track of the Medicare enrollment periods can help you apply on time and avoid late enrollment penalties. Here's a list of the important enrollment deadlines: - Initial enrollment. This occurs around your 65th birthday. You should always apply during your initial enrollment period, when possible. This enrollment window also includes the 3 months before your birth month and the 3 months after.
- General enrollment. This period runs from January 1 through March 31. If you miss your initial enrollment window, you can sign up during the general enrollment period.
- Open enrollment. This enrollment window takes place from October 15 through December 7. If you missed signing up for a prescription drug plan during initial enrollment, you can sign up during this time.
You can enroll in Medicare directly through the Social Security Administration, either online, by calling its national toll-free number, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. Once you've signed up for Medicare parts A and B, you'll receive an ID card and will be eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medigap. You can use Medicare's plan finder tool to compare plan options in your area. If you're hesitant to apply on your own, a reputable, licensed Medicare broker can provide you with unbiased support — and Medicare brokers should never lie or pressure you into choosing a plan that's not right for you. Yours in wellness,
The Healthline Team | 
