How to Create an SSA.gov Account and Sign Up for Medicare Part A

Ready to sign up for Medicare Part A?

You can do it online through the Social Security website. You’ll have to first create an SSA.gov account, and a LOGIN.GOV account, and then you’ll be ready to start your Medicare application.

We’ll walk you through it all, step by step, so you know exactly what to do.

Step 1: Go to SSA.gov

Start by going to the Social Security Administration’s homepage.

You can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Just type www.ssa.gov into the address bar at the top of your browser and hit “Enter.”

Step 2: Click “Sign In”

Once you’re on the homepage, click the “Sign In” button in the top right corner.

Step 3: Choose “Sign in with Login.gov”

On the next screen, you’ll see a few different sign-in choices. Click on the one that says:
“Sign in with LOGIN.GOV.”

LOGIN.GOV is a secure way to sign in to government websites, including SSA.gov.

Instead of creating several different usernames and passwords, you can use one LOGIN.GOV account to access several federal services safely.

If you’ve never used it before, don’t worry, you can create an account in the next step.

Step 4: Create a Login.gov Account

If you’ve used LOGIN.GOV before, you can enter your email and password underneath where it says “Sign in for existing users.”

If this is your first time, click on “Create an account.”

Enter your email address and choose your preferred language for emails.

Read through the Rules of Use if you’d like, then check the box to confirm you’ve read and accepted them.

Then, click “Submit.”

Now, check your email for a message from LOGIN.GOV and click the “Confirm your email address” button inside the email.

Step 5: Set a Password

After confirming your email, you’ll be asked to create a password.

Choose something secure that you’ll remember.

It must have 12 or more characters and cannot have common phrases or repeated characters, like abc or 111.

Step 6: Multi-Factor Authentication 

For your protection, LOGIN.GOV requires multi-factor authentication.

You can choose between:

• Authentication App
• Text or voice message
• Security Key
• Government employee ID (PIV/CAC cards for government or military)
• Backup codes

Choose your preferred multi-factor authentication method and click “Continue.”

If you don’t have a preference, choose text message because it’s simple and easy. You’ll be taken to the next page where you can enter your cell phone number, and click “Send Code.”

LOGIN.GOV will now send you a one-time code to your cell phone (or whatever authentication method you selected) and take you to a screen where it asks you for that code.

Enter the code to confirm it’s really you.

Step 7: Second Authentication Method (Optional)

You’ll now be prompted to create a second authentication method as a backup to prevent you from getting locked out of your account if you lose one of your methods.

If you want to do that, you can click "Add another method" or if you don't, just click "Skip for now.”

Step 8: Continue to SSA and Link Your LOGIN.GOV Account

Now that you’ve created your LOGIN.GOV account, it will ask you if you want to continue to the Social Security Association’s website. It will tell you they will share this information (your email) with SSA.

Click “Agree and continue” and you’ll be taken to the SSA website and signed in.

Your first time signing in, you’ll have to link your LOGIN.GOV account with your SSA account.

Scroll through the Terms and Conditions. At the bottom, check the box next to “I agree to the Terms of Service” and click “Next.”

The next page will ask you to fill in your information to verify who you are.

Then it will prompt you Get another one-time activation code for your Social Security account either by text message of phone call.

Select your preferred method and click "Next.”

Enter the code and click “Submit Activation Code.”

If you've done it correctly, it will say “You have successfully linked your Login.gov account to your existing Social Security account.”

Click "Next", check the box to agree to the Terms of Service, and click “Next” again.

You’ll be asked to set up your notification preferences and click “Save and Continue.”

Then you can click “Continue to Homepage.”

Step 8: Start Your Medicare Application

Once you're signed in to your my Social Security account and are on the home page, scroll down and look for the option that says “Start Medicare Application” and click on it to get going.

Next, click “Apply for Benefits.”

Step 9: Read, agree, and begin your application

You’ll see a screen asking you to read and agree to the Terms and Conditions. After reviewing them, click “Understand/Agree.”

Then click “Start a New Application.”

Step 10: Fill Out Your Information

This part is like filling out a paper form, just online. The application will ask for things like:

• Your name and address
• Your date of birth
• Your work history
• Information about any current health insurance

Take your time, and don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers right away—you can save and come back later if needed.

Step 11: Review and Submit

Before you finish, you’ll have a chance to review everything you entered. Double-check that all your information is correct.

When you’re ready, click “Submit”—and you’re done!

What Happens Next?

After you submit your application, the Social Security office will review it to determine your eligibility for Medicare Part A.

Once you’re approved, you’ll get a welcome package in the mail that includes your Medicare card (with your Medicare number) and a handbook that explains your benefits and plan options.

If you're interested in signing up for Medicare Part B, the packet will also include info on how to enroll.

A Few Useful Tips

• If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to ask a family member, friend, or your trusted Sams/Hockaday agent for help.
• You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for help during business hours.
• Keep your LOGIN.GOV email and password somewhere safe. You’ll use this info anytime you need to log in again.

And If You’d Rather Have Someone Walk You Through It…

We know figuring out Medicare and how to sign up can sometimes be confusing. But you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.

If you’d rather talk it through with a real person, give your Sams/Hockaday agent a call.

We’re happy to help with any part of the process, whether that’s setting up your SSA.gov account, filling out your Medicare application, or just answering your general Medicare questions.