How Long Does It Take For A Medicare Application To Be Approved
Once your application has been reviewed, you should receive a letter in the mail to confirm whether youve been enrolled in the program or not. If your application has been denied, the letter will explain why this decision was made and what to do next.
If your application has been approved, youll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. Your card will show your name, Medicare number, which Medicare plans you benefit from, and the start dates for each plan.
Youll receive your card within about 3 weeks from the date you apply for Medicare. You should carry your card with you whenever youre away from home.
You can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account if you need to print a replacement card.
How Do You Get Another Medicare Card
My card is lost or damaged Log into your Medicare account to print an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call us at 1-800-MEDICARE to order a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
My name changed Your Medicare card shows the name you have on file with Social Security. Get details from Social Security if you legally changed your name.
Protect your identity
How Can I Change My Information
Although most of the updates that you make to your Medicare information are done through MyMedicare, changing your address and other information is a different story. This is because Medicare uses the information that you have on file with Social Security.
If you need to update your address, you will have to log into your My Social Security account in order to update your information for both Medicare and Social Security.
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What If I Get Disability Benefits
If you receive government disability benefits, then you will receive a Medicare card on the 25th month after your benefits begin.
In this case, your benefits will function the same as they do for someone who is 65. Your Medicare card will allow you to receive your benefits and will serve as proof that you are insured under Medicare.
Enter Your Personal Details
Well ask you to enter all of the following, your:
- Medicare card number
- address.
Select Next.
Well ask you to answer some questions specific to you. This is to make sure we match the correct Medicare record to your myGov account.
The questions are about details given to Medicare in the past.
They can include all of these:
- your Medicare card expiry date
- your banking details recorded in Medicare
- details about your last doctors appointment.
Answer the questions, then select Next.
If you get an error message, we have information to help you correct it. Read about common error messages when linking Medicare to myGov.
Youve now linked Medicare to your myGov account.
You can select either:
- Medicare to go to your Medicare online account
- Home to go to your myGov homepage.
For your privacy and security, select Sign out when youve finished using your myGov account.
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If You Need A New Medicare Card Sooner
Have a doctors appointment? If you cant wait 30 days for your new card to arrive, you can visit your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
The agency will mail you a letter that you can use as proof of Medicare eligibility until you receive your new Medicare card. You should receive this letter within 10 days of submitting the request.
If you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you should call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772. TTY users can dial 1-312-751-4701. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 3:30PM.
Make Changes To Your Medicare Plan Coverage During The Right Time Of Year
One especially useful time to review your Medicare coverage is during the fall Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP.
The Medicare AEP lasts from every year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries may do any of the following:
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Enroll in or drop Medicare Part D coverage
- Switch from one Part D plan to another
Outside of AEP, your opportunities to make changes to your Medicare plan can be limited.
Another time you may be able to change your Medicare plan include:
- Special Enrollment Periods You could potentially qualify for a Special Enrollment Period at any time throughout the year, if you meet one of a set of certain circumstances. This can include moving out of the area serviced by your current plan, losing your current plan because it is no longer offered in your area, and a number of other certain circumstances.
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Provider Transaction Access Number
A PTAN is a Medicare-only number issued to providers by Medicare Administrative Contractors upon enrollment to Medicare. MACs issue an approval/notification letter, including PTAN information, when an enrollment is approved.
PTAN and NPI RelationshipWhile only the National Provider Identifier is submitted on claims, the PTAN is a critical number directly linked to a provider or supplier’s NPI. A PTAN’s use should generally be limited to a provider’s communication with their MAC.
Multiple PTANs for Different Practice Locations May be AppropriateNoridian may determine and issue more than one PTAN depending only upon the reasonable charge locality of your practice locations. Unless the reasonable charge locality changes, additional PTANs will not be assigned.
Provider Not Eligible for a Medicare PTANRequests for a “denial only letter” are no longer accepted. Providers that are not eligible for a Medicare number must have the beneficiary submit the CMS-1490S form.
Inactive PTANs are DeactivatedMedicare is mandated by CMS to deactivate PTANs not being used. The deactivation process occurs every month. A provider’s PTAN is deactivated when he or she has not billed the Medicare program for four consecutive quarters. A PTAN is given an end-date when it is deactivated, meaning claims can get submitted prior to the end-date within a year of the service date.
Find my PTANThere are two options to find a provider PTAN.
Using Your Medicare Number To File A Claim
Medicare beneficiaries do not typically have to file claims on their own. A health care provider has one year from the day of service to file a claim on behalf of a patient. But if your claim is not filed in a timely manner, you may contact the provider to request that they file the claim.
If they still dont file the claim soon after your request, you may file the claim yourself by gathering and completing the Patient Request for Medical Payment form along with an itemized bill from the health care provider and a letter explaining your reason for filing the claim.
In order to submit the claim, you will need to look up the appropriate Medicare Administrative Contractor . MACs are private health care insurers that have been awarded a geographic jurisdiction to process Original Medicare claims.
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What Information Is On Your Medicare Card
Besides your full name, your Medicare card includes your Medicare number as well as important information about the health insurance coverage to which you are entitled. This includes:2
- Medicare numberThis is one of the most important pieces of information on your Medicare card. Its what the billing department will use when it submits for reimbursement from Medicare. Your Medicare number used to be your Social Security number , but now its a more secure, randomly generated combination of 11 numerals and capital letters. It is confidential and should only be shared with people you trust.3
- Part AIf you have Part A, labeled HOSPITAL, you are entitled to care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, hospice care and home healthcare. The date your coverage begins is also included.4
- Part BIf you have Part B, labeled MEDICAL, you are entitled to medical care and preventive services. Your coverage starting date for Part B is also included.5
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will receive a separate ID card. If your plan covers prescription drugs, your MA card will include that information too. You should use your MA card as your primary Medicare card, but you should still keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
Good to Know
Your Medicare number is no longer your Social Security number, but a more secure combination of letters and numbers that helps protect you from identity theft.
How Do I Find My Medicare Number On My Card
First, your Medicare number can be found on the Medicare card sent to you in the mail from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .
The card has a horizontal blue banner at the top, white background in the middle and strip of red at the bottom.
You will see the words Medicare Health Insurance at the top of the card.
In the middle, you will see your Medicare number! It is a mix of letters, numbers and dashes. It is 11 digits long. It is unique to you and your health insurance.
Finally, you will see more information toward the bottom of your card. It will state that you are entitled to HOSPITAL and MEDICAL . These are the two main programs under Original Medicare.
On the bottom right-hand side, you will see the dates that reflect when your Medicare coverage began.
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What To Do If You Already Receive Retirement Benefits
If you already receive retirement benefits, then your enrollment in Medicare will be automatic. This will be the case whether your benefits come from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
Three months prior to your 65th birthday, you should receive a package in the mail with your red, white, and blue Medicare card along with additional information about your enrollment. Your Medicare card will contain your Medicare number, which will be used to identify you and allow you to receive your benefits.
Status Of Medicare Advantage And Part D
A Medicare Advantage, or Part C, plan is administered by a private health insurance company that contracts with Medicare.
You can check the status of a Medicare Advantage plan application by contacting the private insurer who administers your plan.
A Medicare Part D plan provides prescription drug coverage. Like Medicare Advantage, Part D plans are administered by private insurance companies.
To check your application status, contact the member services department of your Part D plan for more information.
You can also ask your pharmacy to check the status of your Part D enrollment by sending a test claim to the company.
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Check Status Of Medicare Application
There are various ways to receive Medicare coverage.
If you already collect Social Security benefits before age 65, youll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Medicare Part B medical insurance when you turn 65.
Otherwise, you need to sign up for this coverage on your own.
Once your application is submitted, you can check on its status by:
- Logging in to your My Social Security account
- Visiting your local Social Security office
- Visiting the Check Enrollment page on your MyMedicare.gov account
To check the status of your Medicare application on the Social Security website, you will need to enter your Social Security number and the confirmation number you received when you filed your application.
Your application status will show:
- The date your application was received
- Any requests for additional documents
- The address of the Social Security office processing your application
- Whether a decision has been made about your application
Once your application is processed, you will receive a notification letter in the mail to inform you of whether your application was approved.
If you need help, or are unable to check your application status online, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How To Check Your Medicare Application Online
If you applied for Medicare online, you can check the status of your application through your Medicare or Social Security account. You can also visit the Check Enrollment page on Medicare.gov and find information about your enrollment status by entering your:
- ZIP code
- Medicare Part A effective date
You can also check the status of your application by visiting or calling a Social Security office.
You can ask your pharmacy to check the status of your Medicare Part D enrollment by sending a test claim.
You can also call the Member Services department of your Medicare Part D plan.
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Sometimes Youre Automatically Enrolled In Medicare
Medicare enrollment may happen automatically if the following situations apply.
If you turn 65 years old
If youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, youll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, when you reach age 65. Your Medicare card should arrive about three months before your 65th birthday, and your Medicare coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65.
If you retire before 65
You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when youre 61 years and 9 months old or older see the agencys contact information below. However, in most cases, you dont qualify for Medicare until the age of 65 .,
If youre eligible for Railroad Retirement Board benefits, see the agencys for information about retiring before age 65, or call them at the number listed below.
If you qualify for Medicare because of disability
If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits, youll be automatically enrolled in Medicare after 24 months of collecting disability. Your Medicare card should arrive in the 25th month.
If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
People with ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B the same month their disability benefits start.
Unless the situations above apply to you, youll need to manually enroll in Medicare. If thats you, heres how to get your Medicare card.
If Youre New To Medicare
Youll have to manually apply for Medicare if:
- You live in Puerto Rico. You may get automatically enrolled in Part A as described above, but youll need to sign up for Part B.
- You arent receiving retirement benefits yet.
- You have end-stage renal disease .
If you have end-stage renal disease , you can apply for Medicare at any time. Otherwise, youre first eligible to enroll during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, which typically starts three months before you turn 65, includes the month of your 65th birthday, and ends three months later. When your Medicare coverage begins and when you get your Medicare card depends on the month you sign up during this period.
If you dont enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, in most cases youll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period, which takes place from January to March 31 every year. You may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty for Medicare Part B .
Some people decide to delay Medicare Part B enrollment if they have other coverage, since Part B comes with a premium. If youre working and have health coverage through an employer, you can sign up for Part B with a Special Enrollment Period when you stop working or that coverage ends. You wont have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.
If you worked for a railroad, youd apply for Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board. Otherwise, youd sign up through Social Security.
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Keep Your Medicare Number Safe
Dont give out your Medicare number to anyone who asks. Medicare says you should only give this number to doctors or other healthcare providers, your pharmacy, and any Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan you might have. If you have Medicare Supplement, the insurance company will need your Medicare number.
But if someone calls uninvited and asks for your Medicare number, beware. Dont give out that information. Medicare recommends you call them instead, at 1-800-MEDICARE . TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Medicare representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How Do I Get A Replacement Card
You can get a replacement Medicare card on the Social Security website, at SSA.gov. Once youre logged into your account, select the Replacement Documents tab. Then you will have the option to select Mail my replacement Medicare Card.
You can expect your replacement Medicare card to arrive in the mail in about 30 days.
Be sure that your current address is correct in your Social Security account before requesting a replacement card, as your card will be sent to the address that you have on file.
If you prefer not to use an online services, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to request a replacement card.
Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because eHealths Medicare related content is compliant with CMS regulations, you can rest assured youre getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage. Read more to learn about our Compliance Program.
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Your New Brunswick Medicare Card
In order to avoid fraudulent use of duplicate cards as well as support security features, New Brunswick, like many other Canadian provinces, issues one Medicare card per individual.
In the case of a minor child, the card is to be entrusted to the childâs legal parent or guardian.
The goal of the Medicare card is solely to enable eligible New Brunswick residents to obtain insured services. Please carry your signed card with you at all times. A parent or guardian should sign the card for dependent minor children. You must present your signed card to the physician and/or hospital each time you access insured services.
New Brunswick Medicare has the right to terminate your coverage or adjust your expiry date at any time.
A physician who provides a service to an individual who does not have a valid NB Medicare card has the right to bill the individual/parent/legal guardian.
Various government and non-government agencies use the Medicare number for identification purposes or will request it for proof of identification. Your NB Medicare card is valuable but is not a legal piece of identification. We do not encourage the use of the card for other than its intended purpose, which is coverage of insured health care benefits for the named individual under the plan.
