Tuesday, March 26, 2024

When Applying For Medicare What Documents Do I Need

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Already Enrolled In Medicare

Medicare 101

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 .

    Filing A Claim For Services Or Supplies

    Medicare covers certain services and supplies, and in most cases you wonât need to file any claims. If youâre enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and wish to file a claim for Medicare-covered services or supplies that werenât covered, fill out a Patient Request for Medical Payment form and submit it to your health insurance company. You can find this form on Medicare.gov or contact Medicare directly. If youâre enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, claims are handled by doctors and suppliers.

    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.

    Read Also: What Is The Best Supplemental Insurance For Medicare

    Enrolling Your Newborn Baby

    You can enrol your newborn baby by using the Newborn Child Declaration. Youll get the declaration from the hospital. Find out how to enrol your baby.

    If youve adopted a child or your child was born overseas, youll need to give us extra documents. Read more about what to do:

    When Youre Ready Contact Social Security To Sign Up:

    How to Apply for Medicare
    • Apply online This is the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. Youll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for Social Security benefits online.
    • Contact your local Social Security office.
    • If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

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    Other Information Youll Need

    If youre married, youll also need to provide your spouses name, Social Security number , date of birth and age. Youll also need to have the date and place of marriage, and this goes for any former spouses as well. For logistical purposes, youll want to indicate what month you want your benefits to begin, and youll need to provide your banks routing number and your account number.

    As part of your application, you can also indicate if you would like to enroll in Medicare Part B, but youll have to be eligible.

    You should also note in your application if:

    • You have any unmarried children under the age of 18 or disabled children under the age of 22.
    • You or someone else has ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf
    • Youve ever used a different SSN

    Signing Up For Medicare Part D

    Signing up for Medicare Part D is simple. Once you enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in Medicare Part D.

    Like other parts of Medicare, unless you have creditable coverage, it is best to enroll during your initial enrollment period to avoid future penalties. To enroll, you must apply through Medicare and choose to enroll in any plan in your service area.

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    How Do I Sign Up For Medicare

    There are three ways to apply for Medicare:

    • OnlineYou may apply for Medicare online through the Social Security Administration website. The application process typically takes no more than 10 minutes to complete.
    • Call 1-800-772-1213 between 7am and 7pm Monday through Friday to apply over the phone. If you are hard of hearing, you may dial 1-800-325-0778.
    • In personVisit your local Social Security office to apply for Medicare in person.

    If you’re eligible for or enrolled in Medicare and you want to compare your Medicare plan options, a licensed insurance agent may be able to help.

    You can call to speak with an agent who can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug plans that are available where you live. If you’re eligible, an agent may be able to help you enroll over the phone.

    You can also compare plans online for free, with no obligation to enroll.

    Find Medicare Advantage plans in your area

    Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!

    Be Aware Of Other Enrollment Periods

    Medicare Basics: Parts A, B, C & D

    Most people sign up for Medicare during the seven-month initial enrollment period around their 65th birthday.

    But what if you missed your initial enrollment period and want to make changes or add additional coverage?

    There are specific times each year when you can do this.

    Alternate Medicare Enrollment Periods

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    Confirming Your Home Address

    One of the following documents can be used as proof of your home address. The address must match what you submitted during your health insurance application. Additionally, the proof you use must be dated within 6 months from when you signed the application.

    Proof of Home Address
    • Lease/letter/rent receipt with your home address from landlord
    • Utility bill
    • U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation letter
    • Property tax records or mortgage statement
    • Drivers license
    • Government ID card with address
    • A letter from a government organization
    • Postmarked envelope or postcard

    How To Submit Insurance Documents

    To upload a required document, select Upload Document. Find the document file on your computer by choosing Select File to Upload. Select the file and click Upload.

    You may submit pictures or scanned files.

    • These types of files are acceptable: PDF, JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG, XML, TIFF, and BMP.
    • The file cant be larger than 10 MB.
    • Dont include any special characters such as these in the file name: / \ : * ? < > |.

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    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

    How to Apply to Medicaid

    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.

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    If You Cant Find A Medicare Form

    The above list includes some of the more common situations where you may need to submit a form to Medicare. If you know the name of the form you need, you can search for the document on Medicare.gov or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.

    For help getting the right form, you can call Medicare directly to speak with a representative. You can reach Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE . TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    If youâre in a Medicare plan from a private insurance company, such as Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, contact your insurance company for more information about which forms you need to submit. You can find this contact information on the back of your Medicare plan insurance card.

    Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because eHealthâs Medicare related content is compliant with CMS regulations, you can rest assured youâre getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage.Read more to learn about our Compliance Program.

    What Happens After I Register For Medicare

    After your application is received and processed, a letter will be mailed to you with the decision. If you encounter any questions or problems during the process, you can always contact Social Security for assistance.

    Get A Free Quote

    Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in your area

    In most circumstances, youll get a Medicare I.D. card several weeks after your initial application is approved. Unfortunately, waiting times can be as long as 90 days in some cases.

    However, if you automatically enroll in Medicare because you already get Social Security benefits, you will receive your I.D. card two months before turning 65.

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    Which Documents May I Need To Use

    If Medicare and Social Security dont have certain information about you, there are certain documents they may ask to see. As we mentioned above, plenty of people enroll successfully without needing to show these documents.

    The only documents youre likely to be asked for are a birth certificate, your driver’s license or government ID, and some form or proof of citizenship. You may also need to fill out certain paperwork depending on what youre trying to do, but in most cases, not much documentation is needed.

    If you are enrolling for Medicare due to disability, you may have to provide additional documents from your healthcare provider.

    What Documents Need To Be Presented With My Medicare Application

    Medicare Basics: Parts A & B Claims Overview

    You will need to provide these documents as your Medicare administrator will request them.

    • Birth Certificate original copy
    • Military Discharge Documents
    • W-2 Forms

    All documents that are requested may not apply to your unique situation. If so, write Non-Applicable when a specified request for the documentation is made on the application.

    The Medicare office must verify many aspects of each persons application before being processed. This must all be done before any decision can be made regarding your Medicare application.

    Also Check: How To Purchase Medicare Insurance

    Confirming Your Incarceration Status

    One of following documents can be used as proof that you are not currently incarcerated.

    Proof of Incarceration Status
    • Official release papers from the institution or Department of Corrections
    • Parole papers
    • Unexpired state ID, drivers license, work ID, or passport
    • Pay stubs
    • Federal, state, or local benefit letter
    • Clinic, doctor, or hospital records for services provided
    • Medical claim explanation of benefits provided
    • School record/schedule showing enrollment
    • Bank or credit card statement showing transaction history
    • Military records
    • Cell phone bill
    • Lease
    • Signed notarized statement from the individual with alleged false incarceration inconsistency showing that youre living in the community and includes your name, date of birth, and address
    • Rent receipts

    The Parts Of Medicare

    Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare .

    • Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility . Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
    • Medicare Part B helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.

    Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

    • Supplemental policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
    • Medicare Advantage Plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental bundled together in one plan.
    • Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

    Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read .

    Also Check: Does Medicare Part C Cover Home Health Care

    To Qualify For Medicare You Need To Get Disability Benefits From:

    • Social Security
    • Railroad Retirement Board

    Youll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits for 24 months. Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card.

    If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

    If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.

    When To Sign Up For Medicare And How To Apply

    What documents do i need to apply for medicare â Document Samples

    Home / FAQs / General Medicare / When to Sign Up for Medicare and How to Apply

    Its not uncommon for new beneficiaries to have questions when signing up for Medicare. It is important to be confident that you enroll correctly to ensure you have the necessary health coverage. Below, we tell you how to effectively apply for Medicare.

    Get A Free Quote

    Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in your area

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    If Youre Not Receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits

    If youre not already receiving Social security retirement benefits and youre approaching age 65, then you can sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period. This is a 7 month window that starts 3 months before, includes the month of your birthday, and ends 3 months after your birthday month. If your birthday falls on the 1st of the month, then your Medicare will begin one month prior to your birthday month.

    You can apply online for Medicare Part A and Part B. Or, you can fax or mail in the required forms instead of applying online. Once you apply for Part B, you will also be enrolled in Part A. If a Social Security office is open, then you can apply in person. You also have the option to call and set up a phone appointment.

    Its important to know that if you miss your initial enrollment for Part B then you could face a late enrollment penalty.

    After You Apply For Medicare

    No matter how you applied, once your application is complete, the Social Security office will send you a copy of the information it has on record regarding your application. Be sure to double-check this document for any mistakes, as this is your chance to correct it.

    Some time later, youll get your Medicare card via mail, so be on the lookout for envelopes from the Social Security office.

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    You’ve Got Medicare Questions We’ve Got Answers

    WHEN DOES MY MEDICARE START? Your Medicare will start on the 1st of the month in which you turn 65but only if you sign up on time. For example, if your birthday is the 30th of August, your Medicare will start on August 1st.

    Bonus month: If your birthday falls on the first day of the month, your Medicare will start a month early! So if your birthday falls on August 1st, your Medicare will actually start on July 1st. Just be sure to enroll two to three months before Medicare is to start.

    WHEN SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE? IT DEPENDS – will you draw Social Security or not yet?

    Receiving Social Security benefits? You dont need to do anything. Your Medicare card should be mailed to you automatically three months before you turn 65. It should show that you have Medicare coverage for both Hospital and Medical . Part A is free, while Part B has a premium which will be $170.10 for most people first signing up for Medicare in 2022.

    If your income is high enough, your premium for Part B could be considerably higher. The following link gives a detailed chart showing Medicare premiums for high-income earners: Medicare for Higher Income

    If you have not received your card 60 days prior to when Medicare should start, youll want to call your local Social Security office and let them know that you have not received your card and ask for it to be re-sent.

    WHERE DO I APPLY FOR MEDICARE?

    There are 3 ways to sign up for Medicare:

    • Social Security card.

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