Enroll in Medicare Part A Only
A step-by-step guide for those still working with employer coverage
Before You Enroll
If you are enrolling in Part A only, you should be either still working and covered by your employer group health plan, or covered on your spouse's employer group health plan (20+ employees).
Important HSA Considerations
Be sure you are not actively contributing to an HSA (Health Savings Account) or having contributions made in your name. Medicare Part A disqualifies you from making pre-tax contributions to an HSA because the deductible is not high enough.
You can still keep and use the funds you already have in your HSA. If the HSA contributions are being made in your spouse's name, you can go ahead and get Part A.
Important: Stop contributing to your HSA 6 months before you enroll in Medicare if you plan to wait until after 65. Medicare will automatically backdate Part A up to 6 months (but not before you were eligible for Medicare).
Benefits of Getting Part A While Still Working
- $0 Premium — As long as you have worked long enough and paid Medicare taxes (40 quarters/about 10 years)
- Extra Coverage — Pays secondary after your employer plan for hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, or hospice care
- Get Your Medicare Number Early — Makes it much easier to get Part B when you're ready to retire
How to Enroll in Medicare Part A Only
Follow these steps to complete your enrollment
Create an account on ID.me or Login.gov. You will need this to log into your Social Security account online. Skip this step if you already have a Social Security online account.
Go to ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and click on the blue button that says "Start application"
Read and agree to the application benefit terms of services and click "Next"
Click "Start a New Application"
Click "I am applying for myself" and answer the question about whether you already have a My Social Security Account; click "Next"
The next page is where you would login if you already have a My Social Security Account (or Login.gov or ID.me).
It takes you to another sign-in page where you will login.
Once you log in, you will be able to answer the short questions to enroll in Medicare A & B. Make sure you say "no" to the question about if you want to add Part B.
Make sure to enter your employer coverage information.
You won't need to add any comments unless you have some special situation like there was a problem with your birth certificate.
After You Enroll
You will be able to log back into your account in a few days and click on the "Benefit Verification Letter" to get your Medicare number. They will also send a card in the mail.
Have questions?
Call or text us at 469-942-6691 or email kim@thefulleragency.net