Friday, April 12, 2024

What Documents Are Needed To Sign Up For Medicare

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Will There Be Additional Information Required By Medicare

Medicare: Everything you need to know about signing up | Walgreens

The application asks for your social security number, marital status, place of birth, what wages you have earned, any alias names you might have, and the names of your unmarried children under the age of 18. In addition, they will ask if you have a criminal record. So, you will want to be prepared if the Medicare administrator requests you provide additional information to clarify the documents you have provided.

Do I Need An Application Form For Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

Since Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, includes only limited prescription drug coverage, many beneficiaries sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage. You can get this coverage through certain Medicare Advantage plans , or you can sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan to work alongside your Original Medicare coverage.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are available from private, Medicare-approved insurance companies. To qualify, you need to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B and live in the plans service area. Plan availability, costs, and benefit details may vary. Read about enrollment periods for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

As with Medicare Advantage plans, there are a few different ways you can enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. You can contact the insurance company that offers the plan enroll through one of Medicare.coms licensed insurance agents or enroll through Medicare .

To compare plans, as noted above, just click Compare Plans or Find Plans on this page.

What if I have questions about Medicare forms?

If you have questions about Medicare enrollment or eligibility, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM . You can also visit the Social Security office nearest you.

New To Medicare?

Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.

Can You Sign Up For Medicare At Any Time

No, you can only enroll in Medicare during one of the enrollment periods. The first opportunity you have to enroll is during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, your second opportunity to sign up is during the General Enrollment Period. Outside both of these enrollment windows, you can sign up during a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify.

Recommended Reading: What Is Medicare Open Enrollment

What Happens After I Apply For Medicare Online

Once you complete your online application, Medicare will review it to ensure all information is complete. Make sure you have accurate contact information in case Medicare needs to contact you about your application information and so that you receive your Medicare enrollment information and ID cards.

Once your application is processed, you will receive a decision letter in the mail. If you have any questions during the application process or after you have submitted your application, you can always call the number above for assistance.

Do you have questions about when to apply for Medicare or what plans and options are best for you? Id like to help you understand your options. If youd prefer, you can get information via email or schedule a telephone call by clicking one of the links at the bottom of the page. To see a list of plans in your area you may be eligible for, click the Compare Plans button.

New To Medicare?

Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.

Can You Sign Up For Medicare After Age 65

Four things you need to know about Medicare before signing ...

Hereâs the gist: you can decide not to sign up for Medicare, but if you donât have some kind of health coverage, youâll be penalized when you do eventually sign up.

If youâve had credible coverage, such as group health insurance through your employer, youâre free to sign up for Medicare with no penalties.

However, if you just chose to put it off for whatever reason, there will be a penalty on your monthly premium, which is 10% for each year that you could have had Part B but didnât sign up for it.

Again â no one likes penalties, so if youâre confused or just want to make sure you have it figured out, please ask our team to review your Medicare plan.

Also Check: What’s The Eligibility For Medicare

Documents For Medicare Advantage And Medigap

Whether you sign up for Medicare Advantage or Medigap, youll need both your Medicare number and the date your Original Medicare coverage started. This information will be on your Medicare card. You can also access this information through your dashboard on the Social Security website if you created an account to enroll.

FYI: Medigap covers the gaps in Medicare such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Read my guide on the best Medicare Supplement plans.

Before You Apply For Medicare: What Youll Need

Before applying by any of these methods, its handy to have personal information and identifying documents ready.1 Which documents you need depends on your situation, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. You may be asked to physically provide any of the following documents:

  • Your original birth certificate or certified copy: This provides proof of your age.
  • Proof of US citizenship or lawful alien status : You can do this with a US passport, Certificate of Citizenship, Green Card, etc.
  • Copy of your US military service papers : The most commonly used is the DD Form 214.
  • Copy of your W-2 form: A copy from the previous year is sufficient. This verifies the wages you received from your employer.

Also Check: Does Plan N Cover Medicare Deductible

Now We Get Into The When And How To Sign Up For Medicare

I know that learning this part of Medicare can be a bit confusing. Medicare has a lot of rules. So, to help you understand all you need to know very quickly, I am going to break down or separate Medicare rules with their exceptions. As they say, every rule has its exceptions. Its those exceptions that often lead to confusion.

First, understand that Medicare rules are meant to apply to everyone. Everyone should pay attention to the rules.

Exceptions only apply to select groups of people. If the exception does not apply to you, then set that thought aside. Dont concern yourself with it and just focus on the rule.

Medicare rule #1: you have a 7-month window to sign up for Medicare. That window is based on the month of your birthday. It includes the month of your birthday, the three calendar months before your birthday and the three calendar months after your birthday.

Medicare rule #2: Medicare starts the first day of the month you turn 65.

Using those two rules, lets look at an example. Lets say your birthday is April 20th.

If your birthday is April 20, then Medicare starts April 01.

Your 7-month window will include the month of April, it will include the three months before your birthday month thats January, February, and March. Plus it includes the three months after your birthday month which is May, June, and July.

So if your birthday is April, you have from January to the end of July to enroll in Medicare. That is called your Medicare initial enrollment period.

How To Apply Online For Just Medicare

How to start Medicare when losing employer coverage – How to sign up for Medicare Part B

If you are within three months of turning age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet, you can use our online retirement application to sign up just for Medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. It takes less than 10 minutes, and there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required.

To find out what documents and information you need to apply, go to the .

Recommended Reading: What Age Can You Get Medicare Part B

You Automatically Get Medicare

  • You should already have Part A and Part B , because you have ALS and youre already getting disability benefits.
  • We mailed you a welcome package with your Medicare card.

Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.

  • Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.

Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you dont sign up for Part B within 3 months after your Part A starts, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

  • Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.

Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you dont sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

Already Enrolled In Medicare

If you have Medicare, you can get information and services online. Find out how to .

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and you want to enroll in Part B, please complete form CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B . If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, you will also need to complete form CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information.

You can use one of the following options to submit your enrollment request under the Special Enrollment Period:

  • Fax or mail your CMS-40B, CMS-L564, and secondary evidence to your local Social Security office .
  • Note: When completing the forms CMS-40B and CMS-L564

    • State I want Part B coverage to begin in the remarks section of the CMS-40B form or online application.
    • If possible, your employer should complete Section B.
    • If your employer is unable to complete Section B, please complete that portion as best as you can on behalf of your employer without your employers signature and submit one of the following forms of secondary evidence:
      • Income tax form that shows health insurance premiums paid.
      • W-2s reflecting pre-tax medical contributions.
      • Pay stubs that reflect health insurance premium deductions.
      • Health insurance cards with a policy effective date.
      • Explanations of benefits paid by the GHP or LGHP.
      • Statements or receipts that reflect payment of health insurance premiums.

    Some people with limited resources and income may also be able to get .

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    Can I Apply For Medicare Online

    If you are approaching Medicare eligibility, you may have questions about how to sign up to receive your benefits. Fortunately, you have more convenient options than making an appointment with a representative and driving to your local Social Security Administration office. Learn how to enroll in Medicare the easy wayonline. Applying online allows you to start and stop the application with your information saved, make corrections prior to submission, receive an online receipt for your records, and check your application status online.

    Find affordable Medicare plans in your area

    Applying For Medicare By Phone

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    Just like applying online, applying for Medicare by phone is easy. You can contact a representative at 1-800-772-1213.

    Depending on the volume of calls, there might be a wait time. If the wait time is above average, you can schedule an appointment to have a representative call you.

    The only downfall with applying for Medicare by phone is that it can take longer compared to online. If youre ahead of the game and start well before your birthday, then applying by phone shouldnt cause any issues. If you do not wish to apply online or by phone, you can choose to do so in person.

    Read Also: Do Teachers Get Medicare When They Retire

    What If I Cant Get Copies

    You should submit your application even if you dont have copies of some of these documents. Social Security might be able to help you track them down.

    In fact, Social Security can often request copies and verification from your states Bureau of Vital Statistics. If not, it can help you get the forms you need in order to get the documents yourself.

    The way you enroll in Medicare depends on which parts of Medicare you choose. There are different methods for enrolling in original Medicare as opposed to Medicare Advantage , Medigap, and Part D plans.

    If You Dont Have A Newborn Child Declaration Form

    If you lose your Newborn Child Declaration form, there are other ways you can enrol your baby:

    You can fill in the form at home and send it to us by mail or email to Medicare Enrolment Services. Youll need to attach proof of birth documents. They dont have to be certified.

    Youll need to provide proof of birth documents.

    This can be any of the following:

    • a birth certificate or extract
    • other Australian Government documents that verify the childs name and date of birth
    • a letter from the doctor or midwife who attended the birth.

    If youre using a letter from the doctor or midwife as proof, it must include:

    • details of the childs parents
    • the childs name, date and place of birth
    • the doctor or midwifes signature, qualifications, contact information and registration number.

    Well enrol your baby and add them to your Medicare card. Well also add them to the Australian Immunisation Register.

    Well send you a new Medicare card with your baby on it. You should get it in 3 to 4 weeks. You can get a digital version of your updated card immediately in the Express Plus Medicare app.

    Keep in mind, you can add your baby to another Medicare card. This means you can add your baby to the Medicare card for both parents. You can only list them on 2 cards. To do this, complete an Application to copy or transfer from one Medicare card to another form.

    Also Check: What Are All The Medicare Parts

    How To Enroll In Medicare Online

    To be clear, you dont have to sign up for Medicare online. You can do so over the phone or in person, but if youre looking to save time, completing an online application is probably the best way to go.

    The first step in enrolling in Medicare online is creating an account on the Social Security Administrations web site. You do not need to sign up for Social Security at the same time as Medicare, so if thats not your plan, worry not. Youll be asked whether you wish to enroll in one program or both during the signup process.

    Next, youll need to provide some basic information like your name, address, and telephone number, and youll also need your Social Security number to complete your application. In addition, youll need information that helps identify you, such as your birth certificate, drivers license, or proof of U.S. citizenship if you werent born in the U.S. If youre not a citizen, youll need your permanent resident card number.

    When Can I Enroll In Medicare If I Am Not Receiving Retirement Benefits

    How to sign up for Medicare – New to Medicare

    If you are not yet receiving retirement benefits and are close to turning 65, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your IEP. If you decide to delay your Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits beyond age 65, there is an option to enroll in just Medicare and apply for retirement benefits at a later time.

    Recommended Reading: How To Apply For Medicare Through Spouse

    Documents You Need To Apply For Medicare

    Are you thinking about enrolling in Medicare but arent sure what the options are and how to sign up to receive these benefits? There are several parts to Medicare and knowing where to start can be confusing.

    The first thing you need to do is enroll in Original Medicare which includes Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B. In addition to Parts A & B, there are Parts C & D and Medicare Supplement which our agents at Guided Medicare Solutions can help you compare once you have Original Medicare.

    Most people 65 and older qualify for free Medicare Part A as long as they have paid enough Medicare taxes throughout their time working and may be automatically enrolled upon turning 65. You will also need to sign up for Part B, which has a monthly premium.

    You can sign up for Original Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period , which spans seven months total: three full months before your 65th birthday, the entire month in which you turn 65, and three full months after your birthday month.

    If you happen to miss your IEP, there is a General Enrollment Period every year from January 1st through March 31st.

    In certain circumstances, people become eligible to apply for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period . This is outside of their IEP and the GEP.

    You dont want to miss the window of opportunity to sign up for Medicare. If you sign up outside your Initial Enrollment Period or Special Enrollment Period , penalties may be assessed.

    Signing up for Original Medicare?

    How To Apply For Medicare Through Social Security

    Apply online: The easiest way to complete the Medicare enrollment application is online at ssa.gov. Its convenient to sign up from home. You can start and stop the application and save your information. After you submit your application, youll get a receipt to print and keep. You can also check the status of your application.

    Apply in person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest office with the Social Security office locator. They recommend that you make an appointment.

    Apply by phone: Call Social Security at 800-772-1213 .

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