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.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
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Donald B.
I need to cancel my Medicare be cause I don’t need it, do I go to my closet social security office?
A.C.
Hi, Donald. 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. For an interview, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to your local office. Thanks!
Kristen
Sadly, it’s apparently not that easy to turn down Part B after being automatically signed up. I returned my Medicare card and form indicating I did not want part B 11/19 prior to my 65th birthday in Feb. Payments for Medicare B have been taken out of my SS check for 2 months with April payment pending. I have been in touch with SSA call center 3 times, returned a “Request for Termination of Premium Hospital and/or supplementary medial insurance” and spoke to my local SSA office once with no resolution. Have now contacted my congressperson to help. Have been told this could take months to resolve (even without the current crisis). There have been mistakes made by SSA from the beginning. Meanwhile, my excellent insurance company will not pay doctor office claims as they have been told that I have Medicare. We are working with the insurance company to advise of the situation but I am not hopeful. I am concerned that Medicare will start paying claims and I will never receive a refund of my payments for insurance I did not want and did not ask for. I am out over $300 so far – that hopefully will be refunded sometime (and interest should actually be paid to me). It’s a frustrating mess. No one should be signed up for Part B automatically if there is not a decent system in place to request no Part B.
Elaine
Thank you for sending me this email. I am still new to Medicare and do not have SSI income yet. I needed to know when my next payment for Medicare would be due. I will call Medicare.
Thank you very much!
Leon M.
Will the Social Security office ever directly contact me?
Sai I.
This is really nice information, thank you sir…
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Linda M.
hellpfull information
Maria j.
I would like to know why my social security benefit was less march 2019 then usual my social security number is *** – ** – *** i went on phone tried to wait and there was .long wait and kept cutting me off
A.C.
Hi, Maria. We are sorry to hear about your experience and situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. 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 is resolved soon.
Robert W.
I am receiving retirement benefits from Social Security to my residence in Vancouver Canada. Two days ago, while visiting my daughter in Los Angeles, my wallet was lost including my Medicare card.
While still down here in LA, is it possible to get a replacement? Obviously, since my files are up in Canada, I do NOT have my SS number handy.
My correspondence address remains:
7765 Jasper Crescent
Vancouver, BC V5P 3T1
Stephen H.
How soon do you need to apply be for receving your ss benefit
A.C.
Hi, Stephen. Social Security retirement applications can be filed up to 4 months in advance. Medicare applications can be filed up to 3 months prior to age 65. For more information or if you are ready to file, visit our Retirement Benefits web page. We hope this helps.
Edwin H.
I have been trying to enroll in Medicare Part B. I mailed my enrollment application on 2/13, contacted by phone twice (called several times), and spent hours on the website. My current coverage from work expired yesterday. I am waiting for a return call (over 1 hour 15 minutes now). My phone number is 770-862-2078.
Please help.
A.C.
Hi, Edwin. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue; therefore, we do not do direct calling. If you already have Medicare Part A and wish to sign up for Medicare Part B, it may be best to contact or visit your local Social Security office. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps!
Elias A.
what is the survivor benefit
A.C.
Hi, Elias. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). You can find more information on survivors benefits by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!