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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Marilynn W.
I’m trying to sign up for my SS account online and keep getting “cannot verify” message. The only thing I can think of is the name on my SS card has my full maiden name and my married name (4 names) so what do I put for my middle initial ?
A.C.
Hi, Marilynn. We are sorry you are having difficulty creating your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to create 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.
Leroy F.
What do I do with the social security monthly benefits of my Mom (age 92) after she dies?
A.C.
Hi, Leroy. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by sending the deceased person’s death certificate to their local Social Security office. However, you may also report the death of a Social Security beneficiary by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or by submitting the death certificate to your local Social Security office. For more information, please read our publication, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.
Rusty B.
I am 63 and currently receiving SS disability at 65 do I need to reapply for SS benefits.
A.C.
Hi, Rusty. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. Starting the month you reach retirement age, you will get benefits with no limit on your earnings. To find out your full retirement age, visit here. We hope this helps.
D
at 63 and you are receiving s.s. disability along with Medicare . Since s.s. Disability switches over at full retirement age. Does a 63 year old person that is already receiving Medicare due to disability need to do anything to notify Medicare when they turn 65 ?
A.C.
Hi. If you are currently receiving disability and entitled to Medicare at age 65, there is no action needed to continue with Medicare. Thanks!
Ranga R.
Hello Team,
My name is Ranga, I have initiated for a refund on my SSN and Medicare taxes a couple of months ago, could you please tell me the status of it or the right person to contact?
Thanks and Regards,
Ranga
A.C.
Hi, Ranga. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to 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.
Mila V.
I’m turning 65 , 08/09/19, and want to make an appointment at the Norwalk office. Could someone call me to give a date available. Thank you
Mila Villarin
562 355 6496
A.C.
Hi, Mila. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue; therefore, we do not do direct calling. You do not have to make an appointment to come in to our offices, but with an appointment, you will be helped before our walk-in customers. You can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and a representative will assist you. In most cases, you can handle your business by phone. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
not h.
my husband was denied claim with walgreens monroe ct and told it was 500 co pay when on medical, it was life threatening, he has had to be hospitalized 3times this year for pressure going down and on midorine walgreens argued and did not care, I went on computer and looked for coupon and called crying to rite aid and they helped and filled script immediately and tried putting through warp uhh and denied, now called hot spring arkansa optium rx claims and waiting for claim form and no claim form sent and no phone no for them, husband has cancer and some dementia, my hands filled and have to run around for refund which was walgreens fault and united health cares, now again on phone with united health care with no info she can give name Mae no id she can give and off shore has me on hold 30 min; we have to use food pantry because low income and no one cares 475-2695056 Jeano Carloni filled form with optimum rx claims po box 29046 hot springs arkansa 71903
louis m.
of the $135.00 deducted from my social security how much of this $135.00 is paid to my insurance co. aetna
Herman S.
As a person receiving social security ,well for trying to request a new or replacement social security card by going online the questions asked on the form to make the request this card I, have been having problems getting this card so my answer is just replace the card by the information in my records ,this information should be enough .surely this office just failing me each and every time to get this card.
V.V.
Hi Herman, thank you for your question. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, and you can’t do it online, then you can apply by mail or visit your local office with required documentation. All documents must be either originals or certified copies. To learn more on how to get a replacement card and see if you can apply online, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page.
Jay L.
I have Medicare Part A and my company’s health Insurance. I’m moving to Switzerland to work for my company there. Switzerland has a national health Insurance system which every resident must purchase. There is no corporate provide health care. I will have healthcare through the Swiss national health system until I retire and return to the US. I do not want to lose my ability to enroll in Part B without penalty. What do I need to do?
V.V.
Hi Jay, thank you for your question. It sounds like you are currently covered under a group health plan based on your current employment which means you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The SEP allows you to sign up for Medicare Part B after age 65. You have an 8-month SEP to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts at one of these times (whichever happens first):
• The month after the employment ends
• The month after group health plan insurance based on current employment ends.
Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP.
Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 if you need further assistance and to enroll in Part B in your SEP. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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