Original Medicare in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: Medicare Part A covers hospital care, and Part B covers doctor visits. Many people get both on their own. Others sign up through Social Security.
Who runs it: CMS

What the program may consider

How you get Medicare: age, disability, ESRD or ALS
Part A and Part B enrollment status
Initial, special, general or exceptional enrollment period
Which coverage pays first

How to get it

Medicare Part A covers hospital care, and Part B covers doctor visits. Many people get both on their own. Others sign up through Social Security.

Before you start

Having this helps Social Security retirement benefits. If you get Social Security at least 4 months before you turn 65, Medicare starts on its own.
Having this helps Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). After 24 months of disability payments, Medicare starts on its own.
Having this helps Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. With Medi-Cal, you can sign up for Part B in any month. The state usually pays the monthly Part B cost.
Having this helps Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB). QMB is a state program that pays Medicare costs. If you qualify, the state can sign you up for Part A and pay for it.

How to apply

Sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B

Social Security handles Medicare sign-up. People who already get Social Security are signed up on their own.

The same application can also ask for Medicare and other health coverage coordination.

OnlineSocial Security website
PhoneSocial Security: 1-800-772-1213TTY 1-800-325-0778
In personYour local Social Security officeUse the office finder for the address and hours.
Phone1-800-MEDICARE: 1-800-633-4227
PhoneHICAP free Medicare counseling: 1-800-434-0222Free, unbiased help with Medicare choices.
PhoneSourcewise information line: (408) 350-3200Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask for the program you need.
Online formSourcewise HICAP counseling requestAsk for yourself or for someone else.
In personHICAP counseling sitesSenior centers, libraries and community centers. Call the site or book online.

You can also use: Social Security retirement application

Most people apply online. At 65 or older, the same application can also sign you up for Medicare.

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

A helper can fill out the forms with you. You sign them yourself. If you are not able to sign, a guardian or a relative who cares for you may sign.

A helper can fill it out, but you still sign.

What happens after you apply

You are signed up for Part A and Part B on your own. Your card comes about 3 months before coverage starts.
If you already get Social Security or disability payments
Social Security
Sign up online, by phone, or at an office. Your first chance lasts 7 months, from 3 months before to 3 months after your 65th birthday month.
If you do not get Social Security yet
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
Social Security checks your age and your citizenship or immigration status. To get Medicare, you must be a citizen or have a green card. Cuban or Haitian entrants and some Pacific island residents can also qualify.
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
To add Part B, sign up online or send form CMS-40B to Social Security by mail or fax.
If you already have Part A
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
Missed your first chance? You can sign up January 1 to March 31. Coverage starts the next month. A late fee may last for life.
If you missed your first chance
YouA helper can help with this
Do you or your spouse have job coverage from current work? Then you can sign up later without a late fee. Sign up while you still have it, or within 8 months after the job or coverage ends. Your employer fills out form CMS-L564.
If you waited because of job coverage
YouA helper can help with this
Some events give you a special window. Examples are losing Medi-Cal, a disaster, or wrong facts from an employer or plan. Fill out form CMS-10797 and send it to Social Security by fax or mail.
If something kept you from signing up
YouA helper can help with this
You can add Part B in any month. The state starts paying Part B about 2 months after it approves.
If you have Medi-Cal
The state
Your Medicare card comes by mail, about 2 weeks after you sign up. It shows your Part A and Part B start dates.
MedicareOnly you can do this
You can keep Original Medicare or look at other options. That choice is yours. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
YouOnly you can do this

What only you can do

Sign the online sign-up or form CMS-40B yourself, unless you are not able to.
Give proof of age or citizenship if Social Security asks.
Watch for your Medicare card in the mail and keep it safe.
Decide when to take Part B. Waiting without job coverage can bring a lifelong late fee.

How long it takes: Coverage starts on the first of a month. Sign up before your 65th birthday month, and it starts that month. Otherwise it starts the month after you sign up.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when your Medicare card shows Part A and Part B, each with a start date.
To keep it: Coverage continues on its own. Pay your Part B bill, or have it taken from your Social Security. With Medi-Cal, the state may pay it.

Coming changes

Starting January 4, 2027: Some people who are not citizens lose Medicare on January 4, 2027. Citizens and green card holders keep it. So do Cuban or Haitian entrants and some Pacific island residents. Social Security writes first to people who will lose it.