If a parent is not automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, you can help them enroll during their initial enrollment period (IEP). You can access enrollment options through the Social Security website.

When your parent turns 65 years old, they should be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A if they receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

Their Medicare card and welcome pack should arrive around their 65th birthday.

If they do not receive SSA or RRB benefits and are not automatically enrolled, you can help them enroll in different ways. The fastest way is online through the SSA website.

Medicare has different parts, and your parent can choose to enroll in the parts that are most beneficial to their healthcare needs.

Original Medicare is made up of Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, and Part B, which covers outpatient medical services.

People with Original Medicare can also have a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, which covers their take-home prescription medications.

The SSA website will guide you through the online enrollment process for Original Medicare plans.

It can help to have your parent’s Social Security card or their Social Security number close by. You will need this information for the registration process.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans

Medicare Advantage plans bundle together Original Medicare’s benefits. They often include prescription drug coverage, alongside added benefits like optical or dental.

Private insurers administer Medicare Advantage plans, so the plan types can vary by insurer and location.

If your parents are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, you can use Medicare’s plan finder tool to search for plans in their area.

It may sometimes be easier for you to visit an SSA office with your parents to enroll them in person. You can use the SSA website to find your closest Social Security office.

To enroll your parents in Medicare by phone, call 800-772-1213 and explain that you would like to register them for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both.

Medicare has a few different enrollment periods.

But it’s important for your parents to enroll as soon as they are eligible to avoid late enrollment penalties.

Initial enrollment period (IEP)

Medicare’s IEP lasts 7 months. This is the period during which your parents can first enroll when they reach age 65 years.

The IEP begins 3 months before a parent reaches age 65 years, continues throughout their birth month, and ends 3 months after their birthday.

Ensuring your parents are enrolled within the specified timeframe can ensure they get the best coverage and can help avoid late enrollment penalties.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (MA OEP)

If your parents already have a Medicare Advantage plan, the MA OEP is from January 1 through March 31 every year.

During this time, your parents can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.

Open enrollment period (OEP)

Medicare’s OEP, sometimes called the annual enrollment period (AEP), runs from October 15 through December 7 every year.

During the OEP, your parents can:

  • switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
  • switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
  • swap from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  • add or remove Part D prescription drug plan coverage

If you and your parents need advice on choosing a Medicare plan or general enrollment, you can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

SHIP can help with many different Medicare-related topics, including coverage, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses.

The service has brick-and-mortar centers that you and your parents can visit, or you can call SHIP at 877-839-2675.

You can use the SHIP office locator to find a regional center.

If your parents are not automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, they can enroll online, over the phone, or in person at a local Social Security office.

If they would prefer to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, they can search for plans on the Medicare website. Search results show plans available by ZIP code, but you can also refine the results to find the plan most suitable for your parents.

You should be sure to enroll your parents as soon as possible to avoid late enrollment penalties.