General, Medicare

Equitable Relief for Medicare Enrollment and Disenrollment

May 3, 2022 • By

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Last Updated: May 3, 2022

Senior woman works on her tablet while sitting in her kitchenThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is providing equitable relief to individuals who could not submit premium Part A or Part B enrollment or disenrollment requests timely due to challenges contacting us by phone. This relief applies to the 2022 General Enrollment Period, Initial Enrollment Period, and Special Enrollment Period.

If you were unable to enroll or disenroll in Medicare because you could not reach us by phone after January 1, 2022, you will be granted additional time, through December 30, 2022.

For more information, call 1-800-772-1213 or use our Office Locator to find the number for a local office.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Helen D.

    If you are covered by a spouses’ insurance plan and disenroll in Part B, then at a later time when that insurance no longer covers you, can you re-enroll in Part B without a penalty?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Helen. Thanks for your questions. Individuals that are still working and are covered under an employee group health plan based on that current work or a spouse’s current work qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). To find more details on an SEP, visit here. We hope this is helpful. 

  2. Reginald K.

    Very frustrated with the fact that my application for Part B benefits has not been “entered” into the system. I have numerous doctor visits scheduled with no proof of coverage. Applied on February 25, 2022 and it is now May 19, 2022. Now sitting on hold waiting to verify when the application will be processed.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Reginald. We are sorry to hear that. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to manager on your next call or visit. Since this appears to be time sensitive, you may wish to visit your local officeMost local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more. We hope this is resolved soon.

      • Jacky L.

        Hi Ann, I do have a lot clients missed the 2022 GEP for their Medicare part B. Is that mean they can continue their Medicare Part B enrollment until December 30, 2022?

        Thanks
        Jacky

        • Ann C.

          Hi, Jacky. Thanks for visiting our blog. Please have your clients call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. They can also contact their local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • Melinda M.

      My first husband passed away 2006 and Malden Ma office told me I can collect widower benefit at age 50 and I was lied to I got married 209 and my second husband divorcd me 2017 he owe you money im no longer his payee and take him off my benefits and leave my money alone im 20 years behid bills and i as supposed to raise and LIED TO and been taking advange of and I want my benefit back or big lawsuit and being Discrimination at because I am specil needs and tell honest truth and I want justice NOW I want my benefit Back asap

      • Ann C.

        Hi, Melinda. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office for assistance. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.. We hope this helps.

  3. James T.

    I need to disenroll from Medicare Part B. Can you please email the proper disenrollment form to me so that I may take care of this. I am covered under my spouse’s insurance and they will not allow her to take me off because they don’t recognize Medicare as viable healthcare coverage. Thanks in advance!

    • Ann C.

      Hi, James. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you wish to terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. Again, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local officeWait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this is resolved soon.

  4. David

    I think you folks do all you can. I’m very grateful for your services and help.

    David H

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for your feedback, David! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.

  5. john s.

    te staff know nothing of thi extra time have called many times told get hold office. How long and why isn’t any trained of says extrs time online.Wasting tax payers time. Just list how logn forms online and staff

    • john s.

      Pplease do blog on timeframes for all services

  6. Miroslava K.

    I need to dis-enrolled in Medicare part B. I am still employed and am covered through my employers insurance. I called and spoke to someone who was going to email my the form needed and as of yet have not received it. Please send me the form to the email sent. Thank You.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Miroslava. Thanks for visiting our blog.  For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Generally, if you are still working and are covered under a group health plan based on that employment, you don’t need to file for Medicare part B until you stop working or drop your health care coverage. However, you should speak to your personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan to see what’s best for you. To terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Thanks!

  7. Christine P.

    I am turning 65 on 6/11 and I am still working full-time and just received my Medicare nbr. I inadvertently signed up for Part B and will start getting charged $170/mthly. I need to dis-enroll in Part B. How do I do that?

    Thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Christine. If you wish to terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. Again, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local officeWait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this is resolved soon.

  8. fred

    how I can disenroll from part B

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Fred. Thanks for your question. If you wish to terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local officeWait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this helps.

  9. Jen M.

    I am trying to unenroll in Medicare B benefits. My husband got a government job and the benefits are much better. I called the 800# but they keep referring me to call my local office ph #. Well that’s a joke because the line is never open to call. The other day I hit redial for over 2hrs and got busy signal. They should have an automated line giving options to speak to someone to at least make an appointment. Having been there before I honestly believe that they just take it off the hook. Some of us are so disabled that to get out of bed is hard. Or hoe about the people that can’t drive. Are they supposed to get a Bus ride and wait outside as it says to do if the waiting room is too busy. Tell that to a 90yo in Florida ,just in May. It was 90° and humid yesterday. The main SSA.GOV should be able to transfer or have access to the local offices appointments to make them for those that can’t just drive and hope to be seen that day. I’ve been there where they CLOSE AT 4 and REFUSE PEOPLE still WAITING. Telling them.COME BACK TOMORROW. I was told that I can just send a letter to my local office. But how do I know it will be dealt with in a timely manner. I was told that it could take 6-8 to cancel my Medicare B. That’s ridiculous. If I have proof of eligibility from other insurance then I should be able to have it canceled that day before they keep taking out the $170- which totals the 5.9% COL increase we “received” last year and in the last 5yrs there was COL increases. They just up the cost of our insurance.
    How do I get an appointment if I can’t get through to the office and can’t drive there??

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jen. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for any problems you may have when you call us as we modernize our telephone system. We are working with our telephone system providers to fix these issues.  If you wish to terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. Again, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local office. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this is resolved soon.

  10. T.

    I have SSDI. I lost thousands in premium for a related reason. I was enrolled in Medical Part A & B, and I was with another healthcare plan at the same time, and I never used Medical Care B, but still paid over $100/mo for it. This went on for about 2 years.

    I asked for a refund, and they wouldn’t give it to me. Can you help?

    • Jen M.

      I’m in a similar situation. I was told that you have to write a letter to your local office for them to put in for a refund. I suggest writing a letter amd sending it registered mail, or whichever one makes you get a returned receipt. I can’t even get through to my local office. My 5.9% Cost of Living increase the last few equaled out the the amount they went up on the cost of Medicare B. $170. I can’t afford that on disability. Not when my husband’s work offers better coverage for cheaper. I wish you the best T. I’ll be following this thread for any answers you may receive from them. I also made a comment here with a lot of detail that may help you too, if ANYONE SHOULD respond

    • Ann C.

      Hi, T. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue working with your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.