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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Randy B.
If my income tax return for 2020 shows that I overpaid for Medicare in 2020 because my income before I retired was used in determining IRMAA, if I submit the SSA44 to have my 2021 IRMAA fee taken off due to significantly lower income will I be reimbursed for the overpayment in 2020?
V.V.
Hi Randy, thanks for using our blog. To determine your 2021 income-related monthly adjustment amounts, we use your most recent federal tax return the IRS provides to us. Generally, this information is from a tax return filed in 2020 for tax year 2019. Sometimes, the IRS only provides information from a return filed in 2019 for tax year 2018. If we use the 2018 tax year data, and you filed a return for tax year 2019 or did not need to file a tax return for tax year 2019, call us and we’ll update our records.
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.
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Demetra k.
My husband has social security number and he pays 148
a month.
The question I have is this
How I can stop paying this
My husband is in a nursing home in Europe for the last 6
Months and we pay there for his doctors and whatever
He needs
How I can stop them to take these money away from him
I appreciate any help I can get
I pay 1000 euros every month for him and these 148 extra
Will help me for the expenses.
V.V.
Hi Demetra, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to terminate Medicare Part B. We hope this helps!
Sandra B.
I was 66 on January 16, 2021 and am retiring 3.31.21. I assume that my FRA would be 3.16.21 and my SS could start 4.1.21 at my FRA – please confirm. When do I need to start the application process?
V.V.
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will get your full benefit. If your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months and you turn 66 in January, you will attain your full retirement age in March. One exception to that is for individuals that are born on the 1st of the month. We figure their benefit (and their full retirement age) as if their birthday was in the previous month.
Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if your benefits begin with the month of March, you will receive your first benefit payment in April. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.
You can apply four months before you want your Social Security retirement benefits to start. Once you’re ready to apply, the easiest way to complete your application is online.
Keep in mind, because you’re turning full retirement age in 2021, you could begin your benefits in January if your earnings do not exceed the limit. You’re allowed to earn $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.
If you need further assistance, call us at 1-800-772-1213 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.
Karen B.
This question is in reference to IRMAA: Is retirement considered a “life changing event”?
V.V.
Hi Karen, thanks for using our blog. Work stoppage is a life-changing event. To report a Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Life-Changing Event, complete and return form SSA-44 to your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
MASON I.
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LEADER OF THE PAGAN RELIGION
Susan S.
I turned 65 last month (Dec. 2020) and ,as I am not collecting social security right now, am confused as to how I pay my Medicare Part B premium. I have received nothing in the mail addressing this issue.
S.D.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for using our blog. If you get Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or Civil Service benefits, your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums will get deducted from your benefit payment automatically. You cannot change that. If you don’t get Social Security payments, RRB, or Civil Service benefits, you’ll get a bill called a “Medicare Premium Bill” (CMS-500). If you enrolled in Medicare and have not received a bill or your Medicare card, please call your local Social Security office. You’ll find the phone number using our Office Locator.
Rachel P.
Just received notice of my Social Security benefit increase. Question why did the Deductions for Medicare Medical Ins. go up. I do have Medicare.
V.V.
Hi Rachel, thanks for using the blog. The standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance in 2021 is $148.50.
Evonne m.
My husband never recieved a Medicare card , how do I get him one?
V.V.
Hi Evonne, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a replacement Medicare card. Thanks!
katherine e.
I received a notice on how much I will pay for IRMAA in 2021. I only carry Part A medicare I am covered under my husbands retirement benefits for Part B & D. Am I still expected to pay for a benefit I have never registered for?
V.V.
Hi Katherine, thank you for using our blog. To determine if you’ll pay higher premiums, Social Security uses the most recent federal tax return the IRS provides to us. If you must pay higher premiums, we use a sliding scale to make the adjustments, based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income.
For details regarding an appeal, check out the factsheet: What You Can Do if You Think Your Medicare Income-Related Premium is Incorrect.
To report a Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Life-Changing Event, complete and return the form to your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
MS. B.
HELLO VONDA,
I HAVE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR AN UN-ENLISTED VETERAN WHO HAS PASSED IN A NURSING HOME ON 1/12/2021
I HAVE BEEN TRYING REPORT THIS, BUT NOT SURE JUST WHO TO REPORT THIS TO. SHOULD I CALL THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, MEDICARE, OR SOCIAL SECURITY.
ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME….
MS. BARBARA CARTER
V.V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Barbara. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, 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.
Check out our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.