The first correspondence you receive from Medicare will usually be the welcome kit or packet. This will contain vital information that can help you understand your coverage, along with your Medicare card.
Whether you are automatically enrolled in Medicare or enroll yourself, you will receive a welcome packet in the mail that includes information important for your healthcare journey as an older adult.
If Medicare automatically enrolls you, you’ll receive your welcome packet, including your Medicare card, 3 months before your 65th birthday.
If you enroll yourself, you’ll receive your packet and card around 2 weeks later.
Welcome packets will vary slightly, depending on whether your enrollment is automatic or not. However, each will contain a:
- covering letter
- Medicare card
- “Welcome to Medicare” or “Get Ready for Medicare” booklet
If you’ve been receiving Social Security benefits for at least 4 months before your 65th birthday, Medicare will automatically enroll you in Original Medicare Part A and Part B.
Part A covers inpatient medical care, and Part B covers outpatient medical services and items.
Your welcome packet will arrive in the mail around 3 months before your birth month, which is when your Medicare coverage begins.
The covering letter in this pack will typically confirm that you have been enrolled in Original Medicare and advise on the next steps you should consider, including:
- whether you would like to keep Original Medicare
- whether you would like to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan
The table below lists some important information to know about Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
| Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|
| includes Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, and Part B, which covers limited prescription medications, outpatient items, and outpatient services | includes all of the benefits of Medicare parts A and B |
| eligible to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan | often includes coverage for prescription medications |
| no healthcare network restrictions | often includes additional benefits, such as vision, hearing, or fitness |
| eligible to enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plan | out-of-pocket expenses may differ from Original Medicare |
| some plans may have network restrictions |
You can use Medicare from the beginning of your birth month. If your birthday falls on the first of the month, you can use your card starting the first day of the month before.
If you don’t get Social Security benefits before you turn age 65, you must enroll in Medicare yourself.
Most people must enroll for Medicare during their initial enrollment period (IEP). This period begins 3 months before you turn age 65, continues throughout your birth month, and ends 3 months after.
Once you have completed the enrollment process, your welcome packet will arrive in the mail around 2 weeks later.
The covering letter will be mainly the same as the automatic enrollment letter, but it will not assume you have enrolled in both Part A and Part B. Instead, it will ask two questions:
- Do you want to enroll in Part B?
- How do you want to receive your health coverage if you enroll in Part B?
If you’ve already enrolled for Part B, Medicare will automatically deduct the monthly premium from your monthly Social Security benefits (or Railroad Retirement Board or federal retiree benefits). In 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185 per month.
If you do not receive benefits or the benefits are not enough to cover the Part B premium, Medicare will send a premium bill every 3 months.
Here are some example documents for people automatically enrolled in Medicare:
Here are some example documents for people who have enrolled in Medicare themselves:
- Welcome to Medicare (English)
- ¡Bienvenido a Medicare! (Spanish)
Your Medicare kit, also called a “Welcome to Medicare” package, will give you all of the information you initially need to learn about the coverage and choices available to you.
If you enroll in a Medicare plan yourself, you will receive your package around 2 weeks later. If you are automatically enrolled in Medicare because you receive Social Security benefits, you will receive your package around 3 months before your 65th birthday.