Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Part C) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B — prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental — bundled together in 1 plan.
 
Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can sign up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read
Should I Sign Up For Part B (Medical Insurance)?
 
With our online application, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can opt out of that coverage.
 
If you’re eligible at age 65, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends 3 months after that birthday.

If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B or if you sign up during the first 3 months of your IEP, your coverage will start the month you’re first eligible. If you sign up during the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your IEP, your coverage starts the 1st day of the month after you sign up.

If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B during your IEP, you have another chance each year to sign up during the “General Enrollment Period” (GEP) from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage starts the 1st day of the month after you sign up. Read our publication Medicare for more information.

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and you want to sign up for Part B, please complete form CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare – Part B (medical insurance). If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, you will also need to complete form CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information.