How to Sign-up for Medicare Before Purchasing MAPDs

by | Jul 15, 2025 | Medicare, Medicare Advice, Medicare Part A, Medicare Part D, Medicare Supplement

How to Sign Up for Medicare Before Purchasing MAPDs, Supplements, or Part D Plans

Navigating the Medicare sign-up process can feel like wandering through a maze, especially when you’re eager to purchase Medicare Advantage (MAPD), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), or Part D plans. Let’s break down the steps to ensure you’re on the right track and make the process as smooth as possible.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the specifics, let’s cover some Medicare basics:

  • Medicare Part A: Covers hospital insurance and is typically premium-free for most people.
  • Medicare Part B: Covers medical services such as doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. There is a monthly premium for Part B.
  • Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage or MAPD): An alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) that often includes additional benefits and may include prescription drug coverage.
  • Medicare Part D: Covers prescription drugs and is available as a standalone plan or included in some Medicare Advantage plans.
  • Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Private insurance plans that help cover the costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up for Medicare

Here’s a step-by step guide to signing up for Medicare before purchasing MAPDs, Medigap, or Part D plans:

  1. Determine Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Your IEP is a seven-month period that starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birth month, and ends three months after your birth month. This is your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare.
  2. Sign Up for Medicare Part A and Part B: During your IEP, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. You can do this online through the Social Security Administration’s website, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by calling the Social Security Administration.
  3. Receive Your Medicare Card: After enrolling in Parts A and B, you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. This card will show your Medicare number and the dates your Part A and Part B coverage starts.
  4. Review Your Options for Additional Coverage: Once you’ve enrolled in Parts A and B, you can review your options for additional coverage, such as Medicare Advantage (MAPD), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), or Part D plans.

Example Scenario: Signing Up for Medicare

Let’s consider an example to illustrate this process:

Case Study: Sarah’s Medicare Journey

Sarah is turning 65 in June and wants to sign up for Medicare and purchase a Medigap plan.

  1. Initial Enrollment Period: Sarah’s IEP starts in March, three months before her 65th birthday, and ends in September, three months after her birthday month.
  2. Sign Up for Medicare: In March, Sarah signs up for Medicare Part A and Part B online through the Social Security Administration’s website.
  3. Receive Medicare Card: A few weeks later, Sarah receives her Medicare card in the mail, with coverage starting on June 1st.
  4. Review Additional Coverage: In April, Sarah reviews her options for Medigap plans and Part D plans to cover her prescription drugs.
  5. Purchase Additional Coverage: Sarah decides to purchase a Medigap Plan G and a standalone Part D plan. She contacts an insurance agent to help with the enrollment process.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

If you miss your IEP or need to make changes to your coverage, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Here are some common SEPs:

  • Working Past 65: If you’re still working and have employer-sponsored health coverage, you can enroll in Medicare during a SEP when you retire or lose your employer coverage.
  • Moving: If you move out of your plan’s service area, you can switch plans during a SEP.
  • Qualifying for Extra Help: If you qualify for Extra Help with prescription drug costs, you may be eligible for a SEP.

Example Scenario: SEP for Working Past 65

Here’s an example to illustrate using an SEP:

Case Study: John’s Retirement Transition

John is 67 and still working. He has employer-sponsored health coverage and decides to retire in December.

  1. Employer-Sponsored Coverage: John delays enrolling in Medicare Part B while covered by his employer’s plan.
  2. Special Enrollment Period: When John retires in December, he qualifies for a SEP to enroll in Medicare Part B without incurring late enrollment penalties.
  3. Review Additional Coverage: John reviews his options for Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plans and decides to enroll in a plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

Conclusion

Signing up for Medicare before purchasing MAPDs, Medigap, or Part D plans involves understanding your enrollment periods and knowing the steps to take. By following the step-by-step guide and considering your options carefully, you can make informed decisions about your Medicare coverage and additional insurance plans. Planning ahead and seeking guidance can help you navigate the process smoothly.

Free Medicare Consultation

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If you’re looking for this kind of insurance agent, I’ve got the perfect person: my wife, Niki. The quality of the service I put my name behind means everything to me, and frankly, she’s doing incredible work helping people.

Her agency can assist clients in all but a handful of states, which can be found at BrickhouseAgency.com.

With almost ten years of experience as an independent insurance agent, she embodies the expertise and values I advocate. Niki heads the Brickhouse Agency – a boutique insurance firm. Representing only trusted and fully vetted carriers, her team provides guidance on Medicare insurance options. She also donates 10% of her firm’s annual net profit to charity.

To discuss your Medicare needs or upcoming enrollment, you can:

About the Author

Matt Feret is the author of the Prepare for Social Security – The Insider’s Guide and the Prepare for Medicare – The Insider’s Guide book series and launched PrepareforSocialSecurity.com and PrepareforMedicare.com to help people get objective answers to questions about Social Security and Medicare. Matt is also the host of The Matt Feret Show. He has held leadership roles at numerous Fortune 500 Medicare health insurers in sales, marketing, operations, product development, and strategy for over two decades.