Chaperone Health Insurance Plus
How to Apply for Medicare Online, Starting With Login.gov
Reviewed October 2026
If you’re wondering how to apply for Medicare, the good news is that most people can do it from home in one sitting. The part that trips people up usually comes before the application itself: Social Security now asks you to sign in through Login.gov or ID.me, and that means verifying your identity with a photo ID and your phone. I’m Roxroy Ashley, an independent licensed agent with HealthMarkets, based in Fort Lauderdale, and I help people turning 65 and retiring get through this step without a missed deadline.
This guide explains who needs to apply and who’s enrolled automatically, how to set up your sign-in, what to have on hand, and how to apply for Medicare online at Social Security’s website, including signing up for Part B after employer coverage ends. Once your Medicare is in place, choosing the rest of your coverage is where I come in. When you’re ready, book a free plan review and I’ll get back to you personally within 24 to 48 hours.
I’LL EVEN CALL YOUR DOCTOR
Get a Free Quote From a Medicare Broker Who Helps You Sign Up for Medicare Online
When you sign up for Medicare online, you get Original Medicare. The rest of your coverage is a separate choice, so I check:
- Your application timing, and I’ll sit with you while you apply (you type your own passwords, never me)
- Your doctors and hospitals against each plan’s network, including HCA Florida, Memorial, and Baptist Health
- Your full-year cost, not only the premium
If anything is unclear, I call your doctor’s office to confirm it. Your quote is free, with no obligation to enroll. Get your free quote and I’ll do the research for you.
Hear how I help you choose a plan with confidence.
MORE THAN A FREE QUOTE
Why Choose Me to Help You Apply for Medicare
When you want someone beside you while you sign up, here’s what to look for, and what you can expect from me.
I’ll Sit With You While You Apply: We can go through the sign-in and application together at my Fort Lauderdale office, at your home, or on Zoom with screen sharing. If something unexpected comes up, like an identity check that doesn’t go through, we figure out the next step together.
Your Passwords Stay Yours: You type your own passwords, backup codes, and verification codes. I never ask for them or keep them. My background in Information Technology shapes how carefully I handle the personal details clients share with me.
Your Doctors, Hospitals, and Prescriptions Checked First: Applying gets you Original Medicare. Choosing the rest of your coverage is the next step. Before I recommend any plan, I check your doctors, hospitals, and every prescription against its network and drug list, including your pharmacy. If something is unclear, I’ll call your doctor’s office myself.
Every Question Answered, at Your Pace: Setting up a government sign-in and answering the application questions takes patience, and most people spend less than an hour choosing a plan afterward. I take as long as you need, explain each piece in plain language, and answer every question until it makes sense. There’s no pressure and no obligation to enroll.
The Plan That Costs Less for You: The lowest premium isn’t always the lowest cost. I calculate your full-year cost for every plan, including copays, drug costs, and your out-of-pocket maximum, based on your health needs, before you choose.
My Help Costs You Nothing Extra: Insurers pay my commission, and plan premiums are generally the same whether you enroll through me or directly, so you get personal guidance and ongoing support at no additional charge.
Both Paths, Side by Side: Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D each work differently. I lay out every path that fits your situation and explain what you’d gain and give up with each, so you decide with the full picture.
I Handle the Paperwork: If you choose a plan, I complete the application with you, confirm your enrollment window, and follow it through to approval, so the process is as simple as a conversation.
Licensed and Verified: I’m licensed in 33 states, I complete AHIP’s annual Medicare certification, and I’m certified for the 2027 plan year. You can verify my license (Florida License #W323530, NPN #17946070) anytime through your state’s insurance department.
I Stay Your Agent After You Enroll: Work with me directly, in person, by phone, on Zoom, or at your home in Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach, and I reply within 24 to 48 hours. I review your coverage every Annual Enrollment Period and help with claims and billing in between.
You can read all 25 reasons we should work together on my Why Choose Me page.
Who Needs to Apply for Medicare, and When
Not everyone has to apply. Social Security enrolls you in Part A and Part B automatically if you’re already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before you turn 65. Your Medicare card arrives in the mail about three months before your coverage starts. Medicare isn’t only for people 65 and older, either. People under 65 who have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months are enrolled automatically, and people with ALS are enrolled automatically the month their disability benefits start.
You need to apply yourself if you’re turning 65 and haven’t started Social Security benefits yet, which is common for people who are still working or waiting to claim a larger benefit. Signing up for Medicare doesn’t start your retirement benefits. Social Security suggests applying about three months before your 65th birthday. That lands at the start of your Initial Enrollment Period, the seven-month window that includes the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after.
Timing affects when coverage begins. If you sign up before your birthday month, Part B starts the month you turn 65. If you sign up in your birthday month or later in the window, it starts the following month. If you’re still working and covered by an employer plan, you may be able to delay Part B, and my CMS-L564 and CMS-40B guide explains how to sign up later without a penalty. For the full timeline, see my Turning 65 Medicare Checklist.
Step 1: Create Your Social Security Sign-In With Login.gov or ID.me
To apply for Medicare online for yourself, you need a personal my Social Security account, and since June 7, 2025, Social Security only lets you sign in through Login.gov or ID.me. The old username and password option no longer works. Login.gov isn’t strictly required, since ID.me is also accepted, but Social Security suggests Login.gov if you’re not sure which to pick. Login.gov is a sign-in service run by the federal government, while ID.me is a private company used by many agencies and businesses. If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account from the IRS or another agency, use it instead of creating a second one.
Here’s what to have ready. For Login.gov, you need your own email address, a government-issued photo ID, and a phone number. For ID.me, you need an email address, a government-issued ID, and a phone or computer with a camera. If your mailing address is outside the U.S., Social Security asks you to use ID.me. Each person needs their own account and their own email address, so spouses shouldn’t share one. Social Security says setup usually takes about 5 to 20 minutes, and there’s no cost to create either account.
Make your account: Go to ssa.gov and choose to create a my Social Security account, then pick Login.gov or ID.me. Type the web address yourself or use a saved bookmark, instead of clicking a link in an email or text.
Set up security: You’ll create a password and choose a second way to confirm it’s you each time you sign in, such as a code sent by text or a phone call, which can go to a landline with Login.gov. Write down your backup codes and keep them somewhere safe at home.
Verify your identity: With Login.gov, you take photos of the front and back of your driver’s license, state ID, or passport, and you may be asked for a selfie. You enter your Social Security number, which Login.gov checks against records, and then confirm a code sent to your phone. If that doesn’t work, you may be able to verify by mail, or in person at a participating U.S. Post Office. ID.me offers a video call with a live agent if you don’t have a personal phone.
Connect to Social Security: Login.gov asks your permission before it shares your verified information with Social Security. Once you agree, you’re returned to Social Security’s site, signed in.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Medicare Online?
Most people are surprised by how little they need. Social Security’s online application asks for your Social Security number, your place of birth (city, state, and country), and the start and end dates of any group health plan you have now or have had since turning 65, through your job or your spouse’s job. If you’re applying for Part B only, you’ll also need your Medicare Number and a valid email address.
It also helps to have your current health insurance card, your employer’s name, and your spouse’s information if your coverage comes through their job. If Social Security needs to see a document, such as proof of age or citizenship, a list appears at the end of the online application. Social Security says to submit your application even if you don’t have every document yet, and to send the rest later. For some documents, such as a birth certificate, they need to see the original, not a photocopy.
How to Apply for Medicare Online, Including Part B Only
The application lives at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. Once you’re signed in, you can apply for Part A and Part B together, or Part A only if you plan to delay Part B because you’re covered by an active employer plan. The application asks whether you have employer coverage, so answer that question carefully. Choosing Part A only when you don’t have qualifying coverage can lead to a late enrollment penalty later. If you’re helping a parent or spouse, Social Security has a separate online application for applying on someone else’s behalf.
Part B only, after employer coverage ends: If you already have Part A and delayed Part B because you were working, you can sign up during a Special Enrollment Period that lasts eight months after your job or your group coverage ends, whichever comes first. You can do this online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only by uploading form CMS-40B (the Part B application) and form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information), which your employer fills out to show your coverage dates. You can also mail or fax the forms to your local Social Security office. My CMS-L564 and CMS-40B guide explains both forms step by step, and if you’re thinking about COBRA, read my COBRA and Medicare guide first, since COBRA doesn’t count as active employer coverage for Part B timing.
When online isn’t the right fit: If you have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure), Social Security asks you to call 1-800-772-1213 instead of applying online. You can also apply by phone at that number, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or at a local Social Security office. If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
What Happens After You Apply
After you submit, you can check your application’s status through Social Security’s website. If Social Security needs more information, they’ll contact you by mail or phone, so watch your mailbox in the weeks after you apply. Medicare.gov says your welcome package with your red, white, and blue Medicare card usually arrives about two weeks after you sign up, though it can take longer if Social Security needs documents from you.
When your card arrives, check the coverage start dates printed for Part A and Part B, and keep the card somewhere safe. Your Medicare Number is what you’ll use to set up a Medicare.gov account and to enroll in a Medigap, Part D, or Medicare Advantage plan. Some of those choices have their own deadlines tied to your Part B start date. For example, your six-month Medigap open enrollment period starts the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. That’s why I like to plan the rest of your coverage before your Medicare even starts.
How to Keep Your Accounts Safe From Medicare and Social Security Scams
Scammers know that people turning 65 are signing up for Medicare, and they often pose as Social Security or Medicare. Social Security says it will never ask for sensitive or personal information through social media, email, or text message, and Medicare says it will never call you to sell you anything or visit your home. Be wary of anyone who threatens to suspend your Social Security number or benefits, pressures you to act right away, or asks for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Those are common signs of a scam.
A few habits go a long way. Start every session by typing ssa.gov yourself, and never share your password, your backup codes, or the one-time codes sent to your phone with anyone who contacts you. Share your Medicare Number and Social Security number only with your doctors, your insurance company, and people you’ve chosen to help you. If you get a suspicious call, hang up and report it to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. You can report suspected Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Enrollment and Timing
MORE WAYS I CAN HELP
Find the Right Coverage for Every Stage of Life
Most households need more than one kind of coverage, and what you need changes as life does. Keep reading for the details on this page, or see all the coverage I help with and my guides to each type of insurance:
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Medicare Online
Can I Sign Up for Medicare Online?
Yes. If you’re within about three months of turning 65, or older, and not yet getting Social Security benefits, you can sign up for Part A and Part B, or Part A only, at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. You’ll need to sign in with Login.gov or ID.me first. If you’d prefer not to apply online, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local office.
Can You Apply for Medicare Online if You Already Get Social Security?
Usually you don’t need to. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits when you become eligible, Social Security enrolls you in Part A and Part B automatically and mails your card. If you want to turn down Part B because you have active employer coverage, follow the instructions that come with your card. If you already have Part A and want to add Part B later, you can use the online Part B only application during a Special Enrollment Period.
Do I Have to Use Login.gov, or Can I Use ID.me?
You can use either one. Since June 7, 2025, Login.gov and ID.me are the only ways to sign in to Social Security’s online services. Social Security suggests Login.gov for most people in the U.S. and ID.me for people with a mailing address outside the U.S. If you already have an account with either service, sign in with it instead of creating a new one.
How Do I Create a my Social Security Account?
Go to ssa.gov, choose to create a my Social Security account, and pick Login.gov or ID.me. You’ll need your own email address, a government-issued photo ID, and a phone (or, for ID.me, a device with a camera). You’ll verify your identity once, and after that you sign in with your password and a code. Each person needs their own account, so you and your spouse should each create one with separate email addresses.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Medicare Online?
Have your Social Security number, your place of birth, and the dates of any employer or union group health coverage you’ve had since turning 65. If Social Security needs to see documents, such as proof of age or citizenship, they’ll tell you at the end of the application. Submit your application even if you’re still gathering them.
Is My Social Security Sign-In the Same as a Medicare.gov Account?
No. Your Social Security account is where you apply for Medicare and manage Social Security matters, like your earnings record, benefit estimates, and address changes. A Medicare.gov account is separate, and you can only create one after you have your Medicare Number. It lets you see your Medicare coverage details and save your prescriptions for comparing plans. Medicare.gov accepts Login.gov, ID.me, or CLEAR, so you may be able to use the same Login.gov account for both.
How Long Does It Take to Get Medicare After I Apply Online?
Medicare.gov says your welcome package and card usually arrive about two weeks after you sign up, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more information. Your coverage start date depends on when you applied in your enrollment period, not on when the card arrives.
Can You Log In or Apply for Me?
No. You type your own passwords and codes, and I never ask for them. What I can do is sit beside you, in person or on Zoom, explain each question, and help you plan the timing. If a family member is helping you, Social Security has a separate online application for applying on someone else’s behalf.
Book a Free Plan Review
Getting ready to apply for Medicare? Pick a time for a free 15-minute call by phone or video, and we’ll plan your application timing and the coverage that comes next. My help never costs you anything extra.
Call or text: (954) 410-3710
Email: contact@chaperonehealthinsuranceplus.com
Office: 6360 NW 5th Way Ste 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Meet by: phone, video, at my office, or at home in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
- How It Works
How we'll work together
Five steps, no pressure, and I stay with you after you enroll.
1
We talk about you
By phone, Zoom or face to face. Your health, your budget, your doctors.
2
I check the details
Doctors, hospitals, prescriptions and pharmacy, checked against each plan.
3
We compare real costs
A full-year estimate for each option, explained in plain language.
4
You decide, I enroll you
No pressure. If you choose a plan, I handle the application with you.
5
We review every year
Plans and networks change. I check yours each year and help with claims in between.