Medicare is a Federal medical insurance program. Enrollment into Original Medicare Parts A & B is handled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) office. You will automatically get enrolled into Medicare Parts A and B by age 65 if you already receive Social Security Retirement or Disability benefits. Otherwise, you can apply for Original Medicare within the 3 months before your 65th birthday month. Medicare Part B is optional if you have coverage through an employer's group health insurance. Most people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are eligible for Original Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. If you do not receive your card automatically, you can APPLY ONLINE, or in person. The easiest way to apply is to visit the closest Social Security office near you by appointment. Call the Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for more information.
Read the Medicare Application Checklist, then follow the steps below to apply for Medicare online.
Create a my Social Security account.
Check your Medicare Eligibility.
Calculate Your Part B Premium.
Apply for Medicare Part A and/or B online.
Medicare Part A usually does not have a monthly premium because it was most likely prepaid with your Medicare payroll taxes throughout your work history. Note that if you do not add a private Medicare health insurance after enrolling into the Original Medicare system, Part A has a deductible for inpatient hospital stays of $1,736.00 per benefit period. A benefit period starts at hospital admission and ends sixty consecutive days after you are discharged from a hospital or from a skilled nursing facility. You may have to pay the Part A deductible multiple multiple times in a year due to multiple stays at a hospital and/or skilled nursing facility.
The standard monthly Medicare Part B Premium for 2026 starts at $202.90, depending on your income. This Part B premium can be covered and paid for by Medi-Cal (Medicaid) or another state assistance program. There is also a Medicare Part B Deductible of $283.00 dollars. Original Medicare does not have a Maximum-Out-Of-Pocket cost; that means that there is no limit on the amount of money you will have to pay out of pocket for Medicare-covered services if you do not also have additional coverage through a private Medicare health insurance company.
Original Medicare: 80%
Supplement Plans: 20%
Prescription Coverage
Original Medicare: 80%
Medicaid: 20%
Prescription Coverage
(replace Parts A & B)
Advantage Plans: 100%
Prescription Coverage
As a Medicare Broker in California with access to multiple carriers, I can help you compare Medicare plans online, by phone, or in person. I offer people of all ages a positive experience in their search for Medicare insurance. There is an Open Enrollment period for somebody every day. Call to find out if you qualify.
Note: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent Alignment Health Plan, Anthem, Humana, Molina, Central Health Plan, Scan, United Healthcare, WellCare and WellCare by Healthnet, organizations which offer several plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options