Sign up for Medicare Part B Online, by Fax, or by Mail
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 17, 2024
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is underway through December 7. This is an annual opportunity for people with Medicare to review their coverage and, if needed, make changes to their plans.
If you already have Medicare Part A and want to sign up for Part B, you don’t have to wait for open enrollment. (Learn more about the various parts at Medicare basics.)
If you are age 65 or older and would like to enroll in Part B during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) because your employer group health plan is ending or ended within the last 8 months, please visit our Sign up for Part B only webpage
You can complete your Medicare Part B Enrollment online. You will electronically sign the online application, so you will need to provide an email address.
If you prefer, you can fax or mail the completed forms – CMS-40B Application for Enrollment in Medicare – Part B (Medical Insurance) and CMS-L564 Request for Employment Information – to your local Social Security office.
Be sure to carefully read the instructions on the forms. Your Part B application may be delayed or rejected if you submit incorrect or incomplete documentation.
Note: When completing the application:
- You should state, “I want Part B coverage to begin (MM/YY)” in the remarks section of the online or paper CMS-40B form with the month and year you want your Part B to start.
- You will need to submit documentation verifying that you have or had coverage through a group health plan (GHP) within the last 8 months through your or your spouse’s current employment. Fax, mail, or upload and attach one of the following documents:
- Income tax returns that show health insurance premiums paid.
- W-2s reflecting pre-tax medical contributions.
- Pay stubs that reflect health insurance premium deductions.
- Health insurance cards with a policy effective date.
- Explanations of benefits paid by a group health plan.
- Statements or receipts that reflect payment of health insurance premiums.
Once we process your Part B application, you’ll get a new Medicare card in the mail.
While Part A does not generally have a monthly premium, most beneficiaries pay a standard Part B premium, as well as other costs.
The Part B premium will be deducted automatically from your Social Security benefit. If you don’t receive Social Security, you’ll get a bill from Medicare.
Where to find more information
For more information, read our How to Apply for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) During Your Special Enrollment Period factsheet. Call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with your Part B enrollment questions.
To learn more about Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7) or if you have other Medicare questions, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Also, our factsheet, Who do I contact – Social Security or Medicare?, provides a chart to find out where to go for help.
Please let your friends and loved ones know about the online, fax, and mail options for signing up for Medicare Part B.
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Harry I.
“If you already have Medicare Part A and want to sign up for Part B, you don’t have to wait for open enrollment.”
Thank you for categorically stating this. To me, this was the most confusing part when I was trying to sign up for Part B.
david k.
“Sign up for Medicare Part B Onine, by Tax, or by Mail” . This was the heading in the email you sent. See a problem?
LuAnn A.
I need the fax number so I can fax my Part B application asap please.
S.S.
Hi, LuAnn. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can fax, mail, or drop off the completed forms at your local Social Security office. If you are in a Special Enrollment Period, you may be able to apply online for Medicare Part B. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Cindy
I didn’t know about part the part B SEP because I’ve been covered by the COBRA offered by my husbands Employer. So I missed the SEP. is there any way I can avoid the late penalty for the rest of my life. I didn’t have a clue that COBRA coverage through the employer isn’t eligible for coverage under an Employer health plan.
Rhonda D.
I initially signed up for SS and was approved. I rec’vd a letter stating that I would be billed for my medicare premium but I haven’t retired yet and still have health insurance under my employer. I contacted SS office and they said to complete a form and terminate my Part B since I didn’t want it effective until January 1 ,2025. I was then informed to send in a form 40B which I did but haven’t heard anything back from that. Waited on hold forever and my local office doesn’t answer the phone calls at all. I’ve tried multiple times to contact them for an appointment, no luck. I need to get my Part B coverage effective for Jan 2025 and was trying to be proactive instead of waiting until the last minute. I need to apply for Medicare Advantage but cannot until my part B is added on. Can someone assist me?
Janet D.
There is an area on the application where you state the date your employment is terminated. If you signed up for part b during the 2024 enrollment it will not begin until 1/25
Rodd B.
I have an employment verification letter from my employer that needs to be uploaded with my online application. However, I cannot find an upload button on the application. Does anyone know if that functionality exists?
If not, the instructions state that you can mail or fax your application but does not provide an address or fax number. Does anyone happen to know those details?
Thanks!
Garland D.
I have been trying to get my Part B approved before my spouse takes me off hers. I already have A but want to sign up for Part B. I cant talk to anyone about getting Parts D, until they can confirm I have part B. I call SS they say call Medicare, call Medicare they say call SS. It is a crazy circle I am in. Try to found out the status of the paper work can cant found that.
Dorothy E.
I am a postal annuit who applied for the Medicare part B special enrollment in April, but I haven’t received my Medicare part B card, when I call opm they say call social security I have been calling social security twice a month since September, I wait 200 to 400 minutes to talk to a representative, each time they tell that they see my application but they don’t know why it has not been processed, the last representative told me she was going to tell them to expedite my card as I need it for season. The rep said if I don’t get it call back in 15 days I call today, but no one called me back. I need the card to coordinate my insurance doing open season. I don’t know what else to do.
Alan
I put my application at SS in person on August 30 and still have not heard… I was told it could take 60 days… that would have been October 30th… still no card… the wait time for my call was 120 minutes…
S.S.
Hi, Alan. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Our automated telephone services are available 24 hours a day and do not require you to wait to speak with a representative. You can find other ways to contact us, here. We hope this information is helpful.
Bikash
Great info on signing up for Medicare Part B! Just like preparing for a trek in Nepal, having the right medical coverage ensures you’re ready for any challenges on your health journey.
Mary B.
A trek in Nepal? You’ve nailed my journey from Medicare Advantage to Who Knows What yet!
Faten
What if I don’t have part A and B. How can I enroll to medicare part A??
S.S.
Hello Fatan. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The most convenient way to sign up for Medicare is with our online application. If you prefer to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. To learn more, read our blog, Sign up for Medicare Part B Online, by Fax or by Mail, and visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Melody Y.
If only the online application worked for people applying under a spouses work history. It doesn’t. The local office (Manassas, Va) insists on doing it over the phone, with them initiating a call which they schedule for months later. Then the application sits in limbo ( 4 months and counting). The 800 number is completely worthless, as you’ll sit on hold for hours only to be given no information or ability to get anyone to expedite things. Please tell me there is an office in Virginia that is less incompetent, and I’ll go there. Or that there is somewhere to call to get some meaningful information. Thanks.
Jim
Typical government is understaffed or just lassitude on their part. When I applied for mine, I had a nasty man-hater. I went back to see her supervisor, and he rectified the problem as well as terminating the bigger problem.