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OTHER WAYS TO SIGN UP If you don’t want to enroll online, print the form and mail it, fax it or bring it to a Social Security office. Alternatively, you can fill out Form CMS-40B and have

the employer who provides your health insurance complete Form CMS-L564. If the employer is unable to complete the form, you can submit the documents that show you have health insurance. To

avoid long lines, contact your local office to find out whether you can go in person or must mail your application. To find your local office, use the Social Security field office locator.

If you want to mail your application, use certified mail for delivery confirmation. NEW SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS On Jan. 1, 2023, the SSA introduced several six-month special enrollment

periods for exceptional conditions, such as a natural disaster, misinformation from your employer or losing Medicaid coverage. You need to submit a different form to enroll in Medicare in

these situations. For more information, see Medicare’s exceptional conditions SEP instructions. HOW TO SIGN UP DURING A GEP ​If you missed signing up for Medicare during your initial

enrollment period and any eligible special enrollment periods, you’ll need to enroll during the annual general enrollment period (GEP), which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. You may

have to pay a late enrollment penalty. If you sign up during this time, your coverage will begin the first of the month after you enroll. To sign up for Part B, complete Form CMS-40B and

send it to your local Social Security office or call for assistance. To find your local office, use the Social Security field office locator. The SSA doesn’t offer an option to enroll online

during the GEP. SPECIAL RULES FOR PART A. If you’re eligible for premium-free Part A, you aren’t limited to a SEP or GEP. Contact the SSA at 800-772-1213 to sign up after your initial

enrollment period. If neither you nor your spouse paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters, you have to pay premiums for Part A and you can enroll only during a SEP or GEP if you missed your

initial enrollment period. You may also have to pay a Part A late enrollment penalty. The SSA has no paper form available for enrollment in Part A during the GEP, so you must call. _Images:

Social Security Administration (SSA.gov); Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services_ _This story, originally published Jan. 28, 2022, was updated with new information._