Can you get Medicare without Social Security?

Question

Julie Kovacevich · Accepted Answer

Yes, you can apply for Medicare benefits without starting your Social Security benefits. In that case, you would be responsible for paying your Part B premium directly until you begin collecting Social Security, at which time the premium is typically deducted from your monthly benefit. You would also need to pay a premium for Medicare Part A if you have not earned the required 40 quarters of paying into Social Security through work history.

Answered by Julie Kovacevich on April 24, 2026

Broker Licensed in NV, AZ, CA & 6 other states

Answered by Julie Kovacevich Medicare Insurance Agent

Ann Sanfelippo · Answer

Yes — you can get Medicare without collecting Social Security benefits. You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B independently through the Social Security Administration.

However, you must still meet eligibility requirements, such as being 65 or older or qualifying through disability. If you’re not receiving Social Security, you’ll simply pay your Part B premium directly instead of having it deducted from a benefit check.

Winston Cardoso · Answer

Yeah, you can get Medicare without taking Social Security. Since you're not getting a monthly Social Security check yet, it won't happen automatically at 65. You just have to go onto ssa.gov and sign up for Medicare yourself. Then instead of taking the Part B cost out of a monthly check, Medicare just sends you a bill every three months until you sign up for monthly billing.

Answered by Winston Cardoso on July 27, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Winston Cardoso Medicare Insurance Agent

Jack Havice · Answer

Yes, you can. You'll need to apply for Medicare through Social Security (SSA.gov), and elect to start JUST your medicare, not social security. You'll receive a quarterly bill for part B premiums, you can elect to have it taken from your bank monthly on Medicare.gov.

Answered by Jack Havice on April 24, 2026

Broker Licensed in VA

Answered by Jack Havice Medicare Insurance Agent

Don Lilly III · Answer

Yes, you can. While many people are automatically enrolled in Medicare because they're already receiving Social Security benefits, you don't have to collect Social Security to qualify for Medicare. If you're eligible based on age or disability but haven't started Social Security yet, you can enroll in Medicare separately through Social Security when it's time.

Answered by Don Lilly III on July 20, 2026

Broker Licensed in VA, CT, FL & 14 other states

Answered by Don Lilly III Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Gicker · Answer

Yes, you can get Medicare without Social Security. Normally, the Part B premium is taken out of your Social Security, if you are not taking Social Security, you will be responsible for paying the Part B premium from your bank account via Medicar.gov.

Answered by Mary Gicker on July 6, 2026

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, GA & 5 other states

Answered by Mary Gicker Medicare Insurance Agent

Robin Dall · Answer

Yes, you can get Medicare without taking Social Security. But you may not be enrolled automatically. If you’re delaying Social Security, you usually need to apply for Medicare yourself when you’re eligible so you don’t miss your enrollment window.

Answered by Robin Dall on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, KS & MO, NC, OH & TX

Answered by Robin Dall Medicare Insurance Agent

Maria Elena Patino · Answer

Yes, you can enroll in Medicare without collecting Social Security retirement benefits. However, if you're eligible for Medicare and don't have creditable coverage (such as qualifying employer health insurance), delaying enrollment could result in late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage. It's important to review your situation before postponing Medicare to avoid unnecessary costs.

Answered by Maria Elena Patino on July 3, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Maria Elena Patino Medicare Insurance Agent

Harold Randolph · Answer

Yes you absolutely can get Medicare without Social Security. 

Generally the Part B premium of $202.90 (2026) is paid out of your social security benefit. The only adjustment you will have to make is that your Medicare part B premium will be direct billed due quarterly. In 2026 $608.70 is the quarterly bill total.

Dominic Javier · Answer

Yes, you can absolutely get Medicare without receiving Social Security benefits. In fact, many people delay Social Security until age 70 to maximize their monthly checks while still enrolling in Medicare at 65 to ensure they have health coverage.

Answered by Dominic Javier on May 1, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Dominic Javier Medicare Insurance Agent

Pamela Masters · Answer

Yes you can get Medicare without getting social security. Once you have Medicare, if you don’t have social security your premium for Medicare will be billed to you quarterly.

Duane Everding · Answer

Yes, you're not required to take your social security right away when you first enroll in Medicare.  You will, however, need to pay via alternate payment method for your Part B premiums.

Christie Adcock · Answer

You are ELIGIBLE for Medicare at age 65, however you DO need to enroll in Medicare thru the social security office but are not required to sign up for social security benefits.

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

Yes, if you meet Medicare's criteria. If you do meet the criteria, then you can pay the premiums for Original Medicare Part A & Part B. Medicare will send you invoices for the premiums.
Generally, it is sent quarterly. Thank you.

Dean Chiapetto · Answer

You are able to get Medicare at age 65 weather you have started collecting Social Security or not. If you are asking, can you receive Medicare if you did not pay into Social Security you would need to pay for parts A and B. You must be a US citizen.
Contact a local insurance Broker.
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Terri Curcio · Answer

Yes, Medicare provides the health insurance - a person may take their SS check or not.  
For example, if a person's full retirement age is 67 - he or she might wait til they hit their full retirement age to increase the amount of their monthly check.    And, take the Medicare health insurance option at 65, due to richer benefits and lower cost than their group plan.   Or, if the individual is on an ACA plan - he or she is obligated to take their Medicare health insurance at 65 years of age.    

Any further questions - please feel free to contact my office.

Maxine Burgess, MBA · Answer

Certainly! You get get Medicare without taking your social security benefits. You can contact social security directly, online, via telephone, or at your local office.