how-to
How to Sign Up for Medicare Part A Only
Table of Contents
- Understanding Medicare Part A and Part B Enrollment
- Medicare Part A Eligibility Requirements
- Your Medicare Part A Enrollment Period Timeline
- How to Apply for Medicare Part A
- How to Decline or Delay Medicare Part B
- What Happens After You Submit Your Application
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Enrolling in Part A Only
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 19, 2026
Understanding Medicare Part A and Part B Enrollment
When you approach 65, you'll face one of the most important health decisions of your life. Many people assume they must enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B together. That's not true.
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice services. Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. If you're still working and have employer health coverage, you can enroll in Part A while declining Part B.
The good news is that how to sign up for Medicare Part A only is straightforward once you know the rules and deadlines.
Medicare Part A Eligibility Requirements
You're eligible for Medicare Part A if you meet one of these conditions:
- You're 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- You've worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 work credits)
- You're under 65 with a disability and have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
- You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Most people qualify based on age and work history. If you've paid into Social Security through payroll taxes, you've earned the work credits you need. You don't have to be retired to enroll in Medicare Part A. You can still be working and sign up for Part A only.
One important detail: Medicare Part A eligibility doesn't depend on your income or health status. You can't be denied coverage. If you meet the age or disability requirement and have enough work credits, you qualify.
Your Medicare Part A Enrollment Period Timeline
Your Medicare Part A enrollment period window determines when you can sign up without penalties. Missing this deadline can cost you money through late-enrollment penalties.
If you're turning 65, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after.
You should apply during this window even if you plan to delay Part B. Enrolling in Part A during your IEP avoids penalties.
If you're under 65 with a disability or ESRD, your enrollment rules differ slightly. Talk to Social Security about your specific situation. If you have ALS, you may qualify for immediate Medicare coverage without waiting periods.
How to Apply for Medicare Part A
You have three main ways to apply for how to sign up for Medicare Part A only. Choose the one that fits your comfort level and schedule.
Applying Online Through Social Security
The fastest way to enroll is online through the Social Security website. Visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement and look for the Medicare enrollment option. Create an account or sign in if you already have one.
The online application takes about 15 minutes. You'll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Citizenship or permanent resident status information
- Work history details (the system usually has this already)
After you submit your application, you'll get a confirmation number, keep it for your records. Social Security will mail your Medicare card within 1-2 weeks.
Applying by Phone or In Person
Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply by phone. A Social Security representative will walk you through the application, a good option if you have questions or prefer speaking with someone. Call early in the day or mid-week for shorter waits.
You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship or permanent residency, and your birth certificate. Staff will help you complete your application on the spot.
How to Decline or Delay Medicare Part B
This is the step most guides gloss over, and it is the one that determines whether you actually end up with Part A only. The key point: Part A and Part B are separate elections, but they are not always separate decisions. How you decline Part B depends on whether you are applying on your own or being auto-enrolled.
If you are applying on your own
When you file for Medicare benefits with Social Security, the application includes a Part B election. To take Part A only, you must affirmatively decline Part B on that application. Social Security's own instructions direct applicants who want Part A only to note the decline on the application and, in many cases, to submit Form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B) only if they later want Part B, the absence of that form is how the agency records a Part A-only election. In practice:
- Complete the Medicare application (online, by phone, or in person) and state that you are enrolling in Part A only.
- Ask the representative to confirm in the record that Part B is declined, and request written confirmation.
- Keep the confirmation with your Medicare card. If a Part B premium later appears, that document is your proof.
Social Security Administration, Apply for Medicare benefits
If you are being auto-enrolled
People already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits are typically auto-enrolled in both Part A and Part B when they become eligible. If you want Part A only, you cannot simply ignore the packet. The Medicare card you receive will show both parts, and the Part B premium will be deducted from your Social Security benefit unless you act.
To decline Part B in this situation, follow the instructions in the enrollment packet, generally by completing and returning the opt-out notice included with the packet (or contacting Social Security to decline Part B) within the stated window.
Delay versus decline
These are not the same thing:
- Decline means you do not want Part B now and are not relying on employer coverage to justify a later penalty-free enrollment.
- Delay means you are postponing Part B because you (or your spouse) have creditable coverage through active employment. In that case you keep a Special Enrollment Period and can add Part B later without a late-enrollment penalty.
If you are still working and covered by an employer plan based on current employment, delaying Part B is usually the cleaner path, you are not "declining" in a way that forfeits your Special Enrollment Period; you are deferring with creditable coverage. Confirm with your employer's benefits office, in writing, that the plan is creditable and that your employment (or your spouse's) is active.
What if you already got Part B by mistake?
If your card shows Part B and you did not want it, contact Social Security immediately. If you are still inside the initial enrollment window, you may be able to disenroll retroactively. If you are outside it, you can use CMS-1763, but you may owe premiums for the months you were enrolled. The earlier you call, the more options you have.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application
After you submit your application for how to sign up for Medicare Part A only, Social Security processes it within 1-2 weeks.
Check your card carefully. It should show Part A coverage and NOT show Part B if you declined it. If it shows Part B, contact Social Security immediately, fixing errors early prevents problems later.
Your Medicare coverage typically starts on the first day of the month after you apply. Ask Social Security for your exact start date.
Once you have Part A, you can use it immediately. Show your Medicare card to hospitals and healthcare providers, if you need hospital care, your Part A coverage kicks in right away.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Enrolling in Part A Only
Most enrollment errors are avoidable once you know where the traps are. These are the ones that matter most when you are taking Part A only.
Mistake 1: Assuming Part A is always premium-free. Part A is premium-free only if you (or your spouse) have roughly 40 quarters of Medicare-covered work, about 10 years. With fewer than 30 quarters, you pay a monthly premium; with 30 to 39 quarters, a reduced premium (2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles).
Mistake 3: Not declining Part B in writing. If you want Part A only, say so on the application and get written confirmation. Verbal statements are not enough, and auto-enrollment defaults to both parts.
Mistake 5: Enrolling late in the Initial Enrollment Period. The IEP is seven months, but applying in the first three months generally gives you a coverage start date at the beginning of your birthday month.
Mistake 6: Forgetting that Part A alone is not full coverage. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay, hospice, and some home health care.
Conclusion
Signing up for Medicare Part A only is a smart option if you have other health coverage. The process is straightforward: determine your eligibility, know your enrollment deadline, apply through Social Security, and clearly decline Part B if you don't need it yet.
Your Medicare Agent Medicarehelpinfl understands these decisions are personal. Whether you're approaching 65, losing employer coverage, or managing a disability or chronic condition, we provide clear guidance on Medicare eligibility and enrollment. Let us help you navigate your options and secure the right coverage for your health and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Medicare Part A without enrolling in Part B?
Yes. You can enroll in Medicare Part A only and decline Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period or Special Enrollment Period. When you apply, you'll be asked whether you want to enroll in Part B. You can select 'no' to decline it. However, if you delay Part B without a qualifying reason, you may face a late-enrollment penalty when you eventually enroll. Discuss your specific situation with a healthcare advisor to understand the consequences.
Who is eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A?
You qualify for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years) of work. Most people age 65 who have worked and paid into Social Security qualify. If you don't meet this requirement, you may still enroll in Part A but will pay a premium. Your work history and Social Security record determine your eligibility status.
What happens if I sign up for Part A but later want to add Part B?
You can enroll in Part B later during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31 each year), with coverage starting July 1. However, if you don't have a qualifying reason for the delay, you'll pay a late-enrollment penalty of 10% for each full year you delayed, added to your Part B premium permanently. To avoid this penalty, enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period unless you have creditable employer coverage.
How long does it take to receive your Medicare card after applying?
You typically receive your Medicare card within 2 to 4 weeks after your application is approved. Your coverage start date is determined by when you apply and your enrollment period. If you apply online through Social Security or Medicare.gov, you can check your application status online. If you need your Medicare card sooner, you can print a temporary notice of coverage from your online account.
The complexity of Medicare enrollment can feel overwhelming. Yet with the right guidance, you can make confident decisions about your coverage. Your Medicare Agent Medicarehelpinfl is here to answer your questions and help you avoid costly mistakes. Reach out today to discuss your specific situation and get personalized support navigating how to sign up for Medicare Part A only.
