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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Sheryl S.
I have tried to fax my application to both fax numbers I was given. They do not work and the message says to contact the operator for assistance but no help there. I’m looking for a correct fax number to send my Medicare B application. Thank you.
S.S.
Hi Sheryl. Thank you for reading our blog. Information about Medicare will be available at http://www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048). We hope this helps.
DONALD V.
I just want to verify the fax number for Medicare.
S.S.
Hi Donald. Thank you for reading our blog. Information about Medicare will be available at http://www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048). We hope this helps.
Tito J.
The fax number 1 877 319 0732 is correct please, I have the Form to register Medicare parte b
Thank you
Cheryl S.
Hi
Are you sure that’s the right fax#, I waited on hold for 3 hours to talk to social security and ask my questions. I was given a different #, however it is for the local office here, so that would make sense!
Thanks for your post!
Cheryl S.
MARIA
The website keeps mentioning FAX but where is the number? Do I have to wait in queue another 2 hours to get a FAX number? for heaven sakes!
Emma P.
My husband & I just got our Medicare Part B but with a huge penalty. We retired from our US job after working in US for 20 years. We went back to Australia ( we have dual US/Australia citizenship) after retirement in 2013. We did not paid Medicare part B , from 2014, as we were living in Australia and covered under Australian Medicare system. Never did we use our US Medicare. November 22, 2024, we came back to live permanently in US per our children’s request. We were told we meet the exception but we are still hit a huge penalty.
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Emma. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this is resolved soon.
Samual H.
The article doesn’t mention anything about coverage under COBRA insurance. From my experience, while I was on my wife’s COBRA plan, I discovered that I incurred a 10% lifetime penalty fee.
quacy m.
so who hate supplement nutrition assistance spanish race. and want to separate it from north america or north americans even when they send out the form for requirement that people have to return like when signing up for the first time or Recertification . like they make the paper work hard for disable people also the written part only in English
Linda R.
I don’t want my extra care money to pay for my Medicare. Just want it in my check. It makes it easier for me.
Eric S.
This page is confusing. It it seems to imply it applies only to certain groups, but it does not explicitly say people not in those groups can’t sign up for part B and have their start date delayed. Also, unless you’re in the SEP, you can’t apply for part B online.
al b.
where’s the fax number
Sandra L.
Cannot find a fax number or a mailing address
Amy
Same…where is the fax number?
S.S.
Hi, Sandra. Thank you for reading our blog. To find the contact information of your local office, visit our Office Locator page. We hope this helps.
Carl W.
It does not state anything about if you are covered by COBRA Insurance. As I found out, when I was under my wife’s COBRA, that I got a 10% penalty fee for life.
Michael M.
What about free health for American Indians and Native Alaskans? Through Treaty we get it while the rivers flow and grass grows. Please look up the treaty and explain it. Thank you.