You don't have to sign up for Medicare and they will send you a card. I buy my own insurance which is quite costly due to job loss but I will be going on Medicare in March 2013. I have BlueCross & Blue Shield of Ohio and I contacted my agent. The best supplemental plans are Government Medigap Plans and I chose Medigap F. It covers all the deductables and there are no extra out of pocket expenses. I did sign up on the Medicare.gov sight through Walgreens for their pharmacy plan. They seem to be the best. The government will automatically take $99 (?) out of your social security check along with an automatic withdrawal from the bank for the supplemental insurance. I sure hope this helps and I too am looking ahead. I don't belong ot AARP and they still send applications.