Medicare

Who to Contact: Social Security or Medicare?

February 28, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

" "Sometimes it’s confusing to know who to contact and for what. Social Security and Medicare offer related services, so people aren’t always certain who does what. This “cheat sheet” can help.

Contact Social Security to:

  • See if you’re eligible for Medicare;
  • Create a my Social Security account to do things like request a replacement Medicare card and report a change of address, name, or phone number;
  • Sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance);
  • Apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) costs;
  • Report a death; and
  • Appeal an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) decision (for people who pay a higher Part B and/or Part D premium if their income is over a certain amount).

Find information on how to do all of this and more on Social Security’s Medicare website.

Contact Medicare to:

  • See what services Medicare covers;
  • Get detailed information about Medicare health and prescription drug plans in your area, including costs and services;
  • Choose and enroll in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan that meets your needs;
  • Find a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy in your area;
  • Find doctors, health care providers, and suppliers who participate in Medicare;
  • Get information and forms for filing a Medicare appeal or for letting someone speak with Medicare on your behalf;
  • Compare the quality of care provided by plans, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and dialysis facilities; and
  • View Medicare publications.

Visit the Medicare website for more information on these services.

If you need to find out your claim status, find out deductibles, or get answers to premium payment questions, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY: 1-877-486-2048).

Determining who to contact is the first step in getting the answers you need. Please share these lists with family and friends who need to know more about Social Security and Medicare.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Louise W.

    I am turning 65 in August but I plan to work for another two years. My place of employment has health care provided for employees which I have been on for the last 3 or 4 years. I would like to keep that and just apply for Part A Medicare. How would I go about doing this?

  2. Allison

    I’m 33 and keep getting social security mail and medicare is it all scams or is someone using my info?

  3. Edward L.

    Have been trying to talk to a representive to help with my wife getting Medicare counselor as to her A & B. She is drawing SSN money now approx. $761 and is turning 65 as her birth date is 17 June 1955. We would like to set down to made a decision. Her Tricare will change to Tricare for life. Issues She had worked very little and draws her SSN money from my SSN. Also I am 100 percent disabled and only taxable money I have is approx. $750. The rest is from the VA and Military. Would like to set down with a Counselor and try to understand our options. We live in Navarre, FL 32566 850-585-0005 I was given a counselor number by a SS rep of 1-800-936-5337 but when called answering service said we were out of their area and hung up. So need help.

  4. Virginia H.

    I’ve been trying to apply for my medicare part B since aug. My husband has retired. And i thought i would be covered since I’ve been disabled since 1992, but because i can not prove i had ins. Under my husbands job fron1992 thru 1999, they will not let me have it until july of 2020. I can prove I’ve been covered for the last 20 years. However no one has to keep this info for 27 years not even the IRS so why am i being punished when even our government is not required to keep this info?.

  5. Virginia H.

    I would like to talle to someone about disability/medicare and what i have to have proof from 27 years ago to get my medicare.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Virginia. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  6. Sue B.

    i have received my notice of award dated Jan. 10 2020. on the Payment Summary page i am charged $289.20 for part B to cover through December. I have already paid medicare $189.16 , as requested by medicare. $104.04 overcharged Also $289.20 was withheld for Jan 2020, That $289.20 was paid on 12/15/2019. I have also already paid $289.20 to cover 02/01/2020-02/29/2020. how do i get this refunded ?
    Thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Sue. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  7. Allen t.

    Thank you for another fantastic article. Where else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the look for such info.

  8. Lissa C.

    I just applied for Social Security. They say they will take Medicare out of my SS, and I Have received a bill for 3 months. Do I Have to pay both?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Lissa. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  9. Lonnie F.

    need to replace lost medicare care

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Lonnie. Good news! If you need a replacement Medicare card or immediate proof that you have Medicare, you can take care of both online by creating a personal my Social Security account. We hope this helps!

  10. Joelyn S.

    I need to know the amount due on Medicare insurance for first quarter of2020

    • Luis A.

      Hi Joelyn. Please visit Medicare’s internet page for this information. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.