New to Medicare? Start Here.

Signing up for Medicare for the first time can feel overwhelming. We make it simple. Erie Medicare Associates helps Erie County residents enroll on time, avoid penalties, and choose coverage that fits. There’s never a fee, and your plan costs the same whether you work with us or not.

How Do I Enroll in Medicare?

If you already get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits when you turn 65, you’re enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically. Your Medicare card arrives in the mail about three months before your birthday.

If you don’t get those benefits yet, you need to sign up yourself. Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long: the 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Signing up before your birthday month means your coverage starts on time.

Apply Now

You can apply three ways:

Online

Apply at ssa.gov. Creating a my Social Security account first makes it easier, and you can set one up before you’re eligible.

Apply Online

By Phone

Call Social Security to apply. Some situations require a scheduled phone appointment, and we can join you for it.

1-800-772-1213

In Person

Visit your local Social Security office. Call ahead or check online for hours, since many offices recommend appointments.

Find an Office

We help clients every step of the way, whether that’s applying online together or joining your Social Security phone appointment. To save time and frustration, call us at (716) 319-4613 or request a free consultation.

What Are the Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties?

If you don’t sign up when you’re first eligible and don’t have qualifying coverage, you may pay a penalty for as long as you have Medicare.

There are steps to avoid these penalties, and we’ll show you how. Talk with our team or call (716) 319-4613.

Part B Penalty

When it applies: You delay Part B without coverage from your or your spouse’s current job.
Cost: 10% added to your premium for each full 12 months you went without it.
Example: A 2-year delay adds about $40.58 a month on the 2026 premium of $202.90.
Exceptions: No penalty with qualifying work coverage or a Medicare Savings Program. If you’re under 65 and on Medicare due to a disability, it ends at 65.

Part D Penalty

When it applies: You go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable drug coverage.
Cost: 1% of the national base premium for each month you went without coverage.
Example: A 20-month gap adds 20% of the national base premium to your monthly bill.
Exceptions: No penalty with creditable employer or union drug coverage, or with Extra Help.

Avoid penalties with the right timing.

We’ll check your dates and coverage so you sign up on time. Talk with our team or call (716) 319-4613.

I Have Health Insurance Through Work. Should I Still Sign Up for Medicare?

It depends on your employer’s size and your plan. At companies with 20 or more employees, your work coverage usually pays first, and you can often delay Part B without a penalty. At companies with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare usually pays first, so most people need Parts A and B at 65.

Your premium, your plan’s coverage, and whether your spouse or dependents are on your plan all affect the decision. We give you a side-by-side comparison of your work plan and your Medicare options so you can make an informed choice.

Working Past 65? Read More

Are There Programs to Help With Medicare Costs?

Yes. Several programs can lower or eliminate your Part B premium and cut what you pay for prescriptions. Many of our clients weren’t sure they qualified and were glad they applied. We help people apply for:

Extra Help

Also called the Low-Income Subsidy. Lowers your Part D premium, deductible, and prescription co-pays.

Medicare Savings Program

Helps pay your Part B premium. For some people, it also covers deductibles and co-pays.

EPIC

New York’s prescription drug program for residents 65 and older. Lowers co-pays and can pay Part D premiums.

PACE

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Coordinated medical and long-term care so you can keep living at home.

See our Financial Aid Programs page for 2026 income limits. To get help applying, call (716) 319-4613 or contact us.

I Have Medicaid and Need to Enroll in Medicare. How Does That Affect Me?

Medicare is federal health coverage for people 65 and older and people with certain disabilities, with no income limits. Medicaid is a state and federal program for people with limited income and resources.

Most people with Medicaid must enroll in Medicare when they become eligible. Many worry they’ll lose their Medicaid benefits. They won’t. The two programs work together and often provide more coverage than either one alone. Medicaid can pay your Part B premium, and you automatically qualify for Extra Help, which lowers your prescription co-pays. You may also qualify for plans with extra benefits built for people with both programs.

Learn About Medicare + Medicaid

Meet With Our Team

You deserve to understand all of your Medicare options.

Our office is in Wilson, NY, and we’re happy to meet clients throughout Erie County and beyond. Wherever you live, we’ll find a way to help.

Location

Erie Medicare Associates
2833 West Lake Rd
Wilson, NY 14172

Contact

(716) 319-4613
chris@saratogamedicare.com
bridget@saratogamedicare.com

There is no fee to meet with our team.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT

After you send your request, one of our agents will reach out to set up an appointment.

Follow

If you decide not to get it when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage (like drug coverage from an employer or union) or get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a plan later. Generally, you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered.