Medicare · Step 3 of 3
Where to sign up for Medicare and who can help for free
Am I eligible for Medicare?Free · no sign-up · next page
Each office handles a different part of Medicare
Medicare has several parts, and different offices handle them. Social Security signs people up for Part A and Part B. The Railroad Retirement Board does it for rail workers. Medicare itself answers questions about coverage and helps you compare and join health and drug plans. Your state handles programs that help pay Medicare costs.
Going to the right place first saves time. It also keeps your personal data with the agency that needs it. Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at home. Do not give your Medicare Number to someone who calls you out of the blue.
Three places to start
Why go to Social Security? Social Security takes the sign-ups for Part A and Part B, even though Medicare is run by another agency. It can also add Medicare when you apply for retirement benefits.
How can you reach it? You can sign up online, call Social Security, or set up a visit or phone call with a local office. Forms can be sent to your local office by fax or mail.
Where do you call? Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778. Rail workers call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
How to reach the right office
Pick the way that fits your day.
- Online at Social Security. Look for the page named Sign up for Medicare on the Social Security website. You can sign up for Part A and Part B, or Part A only. You can also add Part B if you already have Part A.
- By phone. Call 1-800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Say you want to sign up for Medicare. If you have kidney failure, say you want to apply because of ESRD.
- Your local office. Social Security can set up an in-person, phone or video visit. It offers free interpreters.
- Railroad Retirement Board. If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call 1-877-772-5772. The TTY line is 1-312-751-4701.
For questions about coverage, bills or plans, call 1-800-MEDICARE, which is 1-800-633-4227. You can talk to a person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.
Free help and what to check next
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called a SHIP. There are 54 of them, one in each state plus Puerto Rico, Guam, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SHIP counselors give free one-on-one help. They can help you choose a plan, understand costs and apply for Extra Help. SHIPs are not tied to any insurance company or plan.
To get help paying Medicare costs, contact your state Medicaid office about Medicare Savings Programs. After you sign up, a few questions come up most often. Each one has its own page on this site.
- Am I eligible? See the rules for age, work history, disability, ALS and kidney failure.
- What will Part B cost me? See the current premium, the deductible and the higher amounts for higher incomes.
- When can I change plans? See the Open Enrollment dates and what you can change.
- Is there a Medicare grocery card? Learn what is real and how to spot the scam ads.
- Social Security Administration, Sign up for Medicare — Signing up online, the information to have ready, ESRD and the phone lines
- Social Security Administration, Medicare (Publication No. 05-10043, 2026) — Who can get Medicare, the enrollment periods, the employer Special Enrollment Period with forms CMS-40B and CMS-L564, and phone hours
- Medicare.gov, Ready to sign up for Part A and Part B — Forms CMS-40B, CMS-L564 and CMS-10797, sending forms to Social Security and the Railroad Retirement Board phone lines
- U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Medicare — Medicare for railroad workers and the RRB toll-free and TTY numbers
- Medicare.gov, Contact Medicare — 1-800-MEDICARE hours, TTY and what Social Security, your state and SHIPs handle
- Medicare.gov, Joining a plan — Who can join a plan, Open Enrollment, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, SHIP help and 3 ways to join
- Medicare.gov, Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse — How to protect your Medicare Number and where to report fraud
- Administration for Community Living, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — What SHIPs do and where the 54 SHIP programs are
- Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs — QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI and their 2026 income and resource limits