Delays in Medicare enrollment are increasing, according to a recent alert from Medicare Insurance Help. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which manages the enrollment process for Social Security Retirement Benefits, Social Security Disability, and Medicare, is experiencing longer processing times than in previous years.
While official sources and SSA representatives often state that Medicare enrollment takes between two to six weeks or up to 60 days, current experiences suggest otherwise. According to the alert issued in June 2025, applicants should now expect the process to take two to three months.
The alert notes that “the problems and delays at SSA are worse now than at any time in the 14 years I’ve been assisting people with Medicare! This may be due to the post-Covid employment climate or government service cuts.” Clients have reported lost applications and difficulty reaching SSA by phone or in person. One example involved an applicant who submitted paperwork on April 1 but was told on May 23 that it had been misplaced and would only then be processed after repeated follow-ups.
Another case described a client who began enrollment just one week before needing coverage; receiving a Medicare number within such a short timeframe was deemed unlikely. Obtaining this number is necessary before enrolling in either a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan.
The advisory urges individuals approaching age 65 or retirement to begin their application process well ahead of time: “Advise your clients and patients to start the process 2-3 months prior to their 65th birthday or retirement date. Delay could result in a gap in health insurance coverage and access to vital care and/or medications.”
