You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, but you have more decisions to make
From AARP – By
If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare, but that’s not the end of your obligations.
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services operates the Medicare program, but Social Security handles enrollment. Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday.
- Medicare Part A covers basic hospital visits and some home health, hospice and skilled-nursing care. If you are receiving or are eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you do not pay premiums for Part A.
- Medicare Part B is akin to standard health insurance and carries a premium. The base rate in 2026 is $202.90 a month. Enrollees with higher incomes — above $109,000 for an individual and $218,000 for a married couple who file taxes jointly — pay more.
You can opt out of Part B — for example, if you already have what Medicare calls “primary coverage” through an employer, spouse or veterans’ benefits and you want to keep it. Check with your current insurance provider to make sure your coverage meets the standard.
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