Full Answer
What is Medicare and how does it work?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people: Age 65 or older; Under 65 with certain disabilities; Any age with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). Medicare has four parts: Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance.
How is Medicare managed by CMS?
Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Social Security Administration works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare. Am I eligible? To find out when you are eligible, you need to answer a few questions and learn how to calculate your premium.
Where can I find more information about Medicare?
If you’re a person with Medicare or help a person with Medicare, visit Medicare.gov to find more information about Medicare.
What are the different parts of Medicare?
Medicare has four parts: Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance. Part C Medical Advantage Plans are a private insurance option for covering hospital and medical costs.
What is the best way to find out about Medicare?
Visit Medicare.gov/about-us/nondiscrimination/accessibility-nondiscrimination.html, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Paid for by the Department of Health & Human Services.
What is the phone number to contact Medicare?
(800) 633-4227Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Customer service
How can I ask Medicare a question?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
What are the three requirements for Medicare?
Be age 65 or older; Be a U.S. resident; AND. Be either a U.S. citizen, OR. Be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.
How do I speak to someone from Medicare?
NSW storms and floods: Call 13 77 88 for assistance 7am to 10pm....Introductionrequesting a new card via your myGov account linked to Medicare, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.calling Medicare general enquiries on 132 011.visiting a Medicare Service Centre with your proof of identity.
Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?
Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)
What are the 4 types of Medicare?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
Do you automatically get Medicare with Social Security?
You automatically get Medicare because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Why do I need Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C provides more coverage for everyday healthcare including prescription drug coverage with some plans when combined with Part D. A Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plan is when a Part C and Part D plan are combined. Medicare Part D only covers prescription drugs.
How much does Medicare cost at age 62?
Reaching age 62 can affect your spouse's Medicare premiums He can still receive Medicare Part A, but he will have to pay a monthly premium for it. In 2020, the Medicare Part A premium can be as high as $458 per month.
When should you apply for Medicare?
Generally, we advise people to file for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. Remember, Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65.
Is Medicare Part A and B free?
While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.
Medicare Eligibility, Applications, and Appeals
Find information about Medicare, how to apply, report fraud, and submit complaints.What help is available?Medicare is the federal health insurance...
Voluntary Termination of Medicare Part B
You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (medical insurance). It is a serious decision. You must submit Form CMS-1763 to the Social Secur...
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Part D of Medicare is an insurance coverage plan for prescription medication. Learn about the costs for Medicare drug coverage.EligibilityPrescript...
Replace Your Medicare Card
You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed:Log into your MyMedicare.gov account and reque...
Medicare Coverage Outside the United States
Medicare coverage outside the United States is limited. Learn about coverage if you live or are traveling outside the United States.Original Medica...
Medicare Eligibility, Applications, and Appeals
Find information about Medicare, how to apply, report fraud and complaints.
Voluntary Termination of Medicare Part B
You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (medical insurance). It is a serious decision. You must submit Form CMS-1763 ( PDF, Download Adobe Reader) to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Visit or call the SSA ( 1-800-772-1213) to get this form.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Part D of Medicare is an insurance coverage plan for prescription medication. Learn about the costs for Medicare drug coverage.
Replace Your Medicare Card
You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed:
Medicare Coverage Outside the United States
Medicare coverage outside the United States is limited. Learn about coverage if you live or are traveling outside the United States.
Do you have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Parts of Medicare
Learn the parts of Medicare and what they cover. Get familiar with other terms and the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.
General costs
Discover what cost words mean and what you’ll pay for each part of Medicare.
How Medicare works
Follow 2 steps to set up your Medicare coverage. Find out how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage work.
Working past 65
Find out what to do if you’re still working & how to get Medicare when you retire.
What does Medicare Part A cover?
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) - Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.
What age does Medicare cover?
Medicare is a health insurance program for: People age 65 or older . People under age 65 with certain disabilities. People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Phone
For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you get Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
We’ll mail you a letter telling you the level of help you’ll get. If you don’t have or don’t join a Medicare drug plan Medicare drug plan (Part D) Separate prescription drug coverage from Medicare-approved private plans. Refer to Medicare glossary for more details. , we’ll put you in one so you can fill your prescriptions at the discounted cost.
I'm under 65 and have a disability. I'd like to go back to work. Can I keep my Medicare coverage?
Yes. You can keep your Medicare coverage for as long as you’re medically disabled. If you return to work, you won't have to pay your Part A premium for the first 8 1/2 years. After that, you might be able to buy Part A coverage and pay a monthly premium.
Accessibility & nondiscrimination
You’re protected from discrimination. You can also get communications from us for free in accessible formats like Braille, large print, and more. If you ask for information in an accessible format, you’ll get extra time to take any action if there’s a delay in fulfilling your request.
How to contact Medicare for health insurance?
Other useful publications, such as the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare, are also available at the Medicare number (1-800-633-4227) or from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counseling office.
How to contact OPM for retirement?
If you are a CSRS or FERS annuitant, you may call OPM's Retirement Information Office at 1-88USOPMRET (1-888-767-6738) or 202-606-0500 from the metropolitan Washington area, or you may write to: Office of Personnel Management. Retirement Operations Center.
Protect your Medicare Number like a credit card
Only give personal information, like your Medicare Number, to health care providers, your insurance companies or health plans (and their licensed agents or brokers), or people you trust that work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) A state program that gets money from the federal government to give free local health insurance counseling to people with Medicare. ..
Carrying your card
You’ll need the information on your Medicare card to join a Medicare health or drug plan or buy Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) An insurance policy you can buy to help lower your share of certain costs for Part A and Part B services (Original Medicare). so keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
How do you get another Medicare card?
My card is lost or damaged — Log into (or create) your Medicare account to print an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
