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
Comments are closed.
Carla S.
HOW DO WE CONTACT SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE??? I called and the recording said basically ‘we’re too busy to take your call, sorry, have a nice day.’ Really???
A.C.
Hi, Carla. We are sorry you had difficulty reaching us via telephone. We may have been experiencing a higher than normal call volume. If you still need assistance, you can click “Get Help” in your
personal my Social Security account to “Ask a Question”. Click “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope this helps.
brenda r.
I applied for my social security online 24 days ago.
I’ve not had any calls or emails from anyone in the administration to ask me anything. When I applied online it stated I should get my first payment 15 days after I applied. A friend of mine received hers within 2 weeks after applying. I’ve made many calls and left messages to the office that is supposed to be handling my claim but have not received any calls back. Online my account still shows to be in the initial stage. Do I need to go to a local office?
A.C.
Hi, Brenda. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and ask for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask for a supervisor on your next visit or call. We hope this is resolved soon.
Stanley M.
Very good information. Easy to understand. thanks
Melissa A.
I’m on SSD a d judg received s one lump sum for a workers comp claim.
Will you reduce the amount of SSD I get monthly?
My attorney has paperwork with an actuaries number for me which is 26.8 years. The award was averaged out to be $14. 78 a month based on these figures. Please advise if I mail this information to SS or do you call and try to explain it?
ROSETTA B.
I cannot access my account. Can you unblock my access?
Rosetta Strain/*** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Rosetta. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Graciella E.
I have bc bs through my employer. I’m retired now. Do i keep my ins bc bs and enroll in medicare too?
Wil l bc bs become a supplement?
A.C.
Hi, Graciella. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. To get additional information on Medicare benefits, check out http://www.medicare.gov/. You may also wish to contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss your options. We hope this helps.
Ivan L.
thanks for getting our checks out in a timely fashion.
I don’t get much in SS although I can’t see out of my left eye due to a botched cataract op and can’t hear out of my left ear. Is there any chance of adding to my small SS check?
Evelyn R.
I have had Diabetes for seversl years I didn’t know about disability social security is it to late for me to change to that? I have had a stroke and heart attack can’t walk and need around the clock help it’s very expensive and the disability social security would help pay for my care
Laurie B.
When you apply for disability you list all of your medical conditions. While one condition may not qualify you, a combination of your medical conditions very well could. I recommend that you contact a disability attorney as the process can be quite difficult.
John
Should contact Social Security first and file a claim.
A.C.
Hi, Evelyn. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Social Security does not offer caregiver assistance. As far as your question regarding disability, Disability Benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI), and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. The SSDI program provides benefits to insured disabled or blind adults covered by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust funds. If you feel that you meet our definition of disability, you can contact us to discuss your specific case. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this information helps.
charles r.
looks really helpful.
Wayne F.
Are there grants available for wheelchair access vans for stroke victims? The person is already receiving Medicare.
A.C.
Hi, Wayne. Thanks for your question. We do not offer grants. However, the individual may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which they live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in their area and find out if they qualify, they will need to contact their state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps!