Who to Contact: Social Security or Medicare?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast 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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
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Vaughn H.
Haven’t received my Medicare card yet, and its been several weeks. I am running out of time. I am suppose to be enrolled and have chosen a plan by December. Today is 10/30/2020. Need help asap.
Vonda V.
Hi Vaughn, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jo f.
I will be turning 65 on 10/15, haven’t received medicare card, was told by local SS office since I am getting window check my card would come in mail but l have not received it…what should I do .
Sharon J.
Hello I received my Social Security while I waited to see if I would be approved for disability. I’m 64 and I want turn 65 until August of 2021. Will I receive Medicare because of my disability although I’m not 65 yet. If I do which Medicare will I get.
Vonda V.
Hi Sharon, thank you for your question. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B if you’ve been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. An information packet will arrive in the mail a few months before you become eligible.
If you turn 65 before the 24 month period, we’ll also automatically enroll you in Medicare. We’ll mail you all the information you need a few months before you turn 65. Check out the Medicare brochure for more information.
James B.
i would like to get a copy of my benifits letter.
Vonda V.
Hi James, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. You also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a proof of income letter. We hope this helps.
Jim S.
I currently have my Medicare Part B deducted from my federal pension. Effective November 2020, I will be collecting social security and was told that the Part B must come out of my social security payment. How do I get the deduction stopped from my federal pension since it will be coming out of my social security payment? Thank you for your help as I have contacted Medicare and OPM and have gotten no help so far.
Vonda V.
Hi Jim, thanks for using our blog. Your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums will automatically get deducted from your Social Security benefits. We hope this helps!
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Carolyn
I filed a claim with Medicare on December 13, 2019 since my providers did not bill Medicare. NINE MONTHS later, I still have had no reply. What’s up with that?
Is there any way to check where my claim stands or doesn’t stand at this point?
Vonda V.
Hi Carolyn, thanks for using our blog. For Medicare coverage and billing issues, please contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps!
Gloria M.
I want to apply for Medicare. I already get SSI.
Vonda V.
Hi Gloria, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.
If you already have Medicare Part A and need to sign up for Medicare Part B, there are some forms that you will need to complete and submit. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for options on how to submit those forms.
Bertha C.
Can I include my live-in Fiancee on my Medicare plan?
Monty G.
So far, I simply can not work this far too complex system.
I turn 65 next month. I get part a automatically. part b Im not sure of. or part c or part d .
‘Im supposed to get something started BEFORE my medicare starts or else i will be penalized if i get it later.(sounds like soviet style communism to me) YOU design the system – you expect ME and all others to be able to figure it out and successfully navigate it. i haven’t had much success with the local senior citizen center either. if i ever get an appointment with them it will be by phone because of our friend Covid the 19th. and i dont know what documents i would need to provide for whom. and working from my car at that. its only 2 weeks till october which is when my medicare starts. i have 2 weeks to figure this complex crap out before i get penalized if i dont get started whatever
it is i have to get started before medicare starts. i live in my car. i get 489 month…… (plus some little state aid.)…..
which was just cut to 345 for premium. Premium for poor coverage that must be supplemented by private complexity.
GO BERNIE !!
Vonda V.
Hi Monty, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.
If you already have Medicare Part A and need to sign up for Medicare Part B, there are some forms that you will need to complete and submit. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for options on how to submit those forms.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.