How to Apply for Medicare in Iowa

Most Iowans should start the Medicare application process about 3 months before turning 65. That kicks off your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period — the 3 months before your birthday month, the month of, and the 3 months after.

• Applying early means your coverage can start the first day of your birthday month.
• Applying late (in the month of or after) can delay your start date.
• If you're leaving employer coverage after 65, you'll use a Special Enrollment Period instead.

Gather these before you start the application — most Iowans already have them on hand:

• Your Social Security number
• Your birth certificate (or other proof of U.S. citizenship / lawful residency)
• Your Iowa driver's license or state ID
• Proof of any current health coverage (employer plan details, group health ID card)
• Your bank account and routing number if you want premiums drafted automatically
• If applying for Part B after 65: form CMS-L564 signed by your employer to prove creditable coverage

The application itself goes through the Social Security Administration, not a private insurer. You have three options:

1. Online at ssa.gov/medicare. Fastest for most people — takes about 10-15 minutes.
2. By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday.
3. In person at your local Iowa Social Security office (see addresses below). Appointments are strongly recommended.

If you're already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you'll be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically — your red, white, and blue Medicare card arrives about 3 months before your birthday.

Birch has offices in Newton and Clear Lake — here are the closest Social Security field offices for in-person appointments:

• Newton area (Des Moines office) — find the current Des Moines-area office. Serves Jasper County and most central Iowa communities.
• Clear Lake area (Mason City office) — find the current Mason City-area office. Serves Cerro Gordo County and north-central Iowa.
• Anywhere in Iowa — use the Social Security office locator and enter your ZIP code.

Signing up with Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). That's the federal piece — but it's not the full picture in Iowa.

You'll still need to decide how to handle:

• Prescription drugs (Part D) — a stand-alone drug plan, or one built into an Advantage plan.
• Extra coverage — a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) to help with what Original Medicare doesn't pay, or a Medicare Advantage plan that replaces Original Medicare with a private plan.
• Dental, vision, and hearing — not included in Original Medicare; often bundled into Advantage plans or added separately.

This is where most Iowans want a second set of eyes. Birch is independent and Iowa-based, so we can compare the actual plans available in your county against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget before you enroll.

• 3 months before 65 — decide whether to enroll in Part A, Part B, or both
• Gather documents (SSN, ID, employer coverage proof)
• Apply online at ssa.gov/medicare, by phone, or in person
• Watch for your red-white-and-blue Medicare card in the mail
• Compare Iowa Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options for your county
• Enroll in the plan that fits your doctors, prescriptions, and budget
• Review your coverage every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)