For free help with any Medicare question, call WV SHIP at 1-877-987-4463. Below: when to sign up, what Medicare pays for in full, and help with costs.
When to sign up
Your first chance to sign up lasts 7 months. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after it. If you miss it, you may have to pay a penalty (Medicare).
You sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through Social Security (Medicare).
Visits and shots Medicare pays for in full
You pay nothing for these if your doctor or provider accepts Medicare. Other tests during the visit may cost extra.
"Welcome to Medicare" visit: once, within your first 12 months on Part B (Medicare).
Yearly wellness visit: once every 12 months after that (Medicare).
People with Medicare, people about to turn 65, and their families in West Virginia. Counselors help you choose a plan, review your coverage, understand costs, apply for Extra Help, and file a complaint or appeal. Call WV SHIP toll free at 1-877-987-4463.
Premiums and copays: Medicare Savings Programs, run by the state, can help pay your Part A and Part B premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays. Medicare says to apply even if you don't think you qualify (Medicare). In West Virginia, apply for Medicare Premium Assistance at WV PATH (source).
Prescriptions: Extra Help lowers drug plan costs for people with limited income. Some people get it on their own, for example if they have full Medicaid. Others apply through Social Security, and WV SHIP can help you apply for free (Medicare).
Medicare sources checked October 30, 2026. We describe Medicare's rules and where to get help. We do not sell plans or recommend one. Something out of date? Tell us.