Medicare Blog

what documents to apply for medicare

by Miss Daphnee Douglas DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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When applying for Medicare in person, you’ll need to bring the following documents with you:

  • Your Social Security card (or other proof of your SSN)
  • An original copy of a document proving your age, such as a birth certificate, census record, or vaccine record – if...
  • Documentation proving legal residency, such as a U.S. passport (if you weren’t born in the United States)

What documents do I need to enroll in Medicare?
  • your Social Security number.
  • your date and place of birth.
  • your citizenship status.
  • the name and Social Security number of your current spouse and any former spouses.
  • the date and place of any marriages or divorces you've had.

Full Answer

What documents are required for Medicare?

  • Your Social Security card, if you are already receiving benefits
  • Health insurance information about the type and dates of coverage
  • Information about your employment, such as a W-2 form, if you are still working
  • US military discharge papers if you served before 1968

How to find the Medicare forms you need?

How to Find the Medicare Forms You Need

  • Types of forms. Many different forms are needed for Medicare.
  • Enrollment forms. You can fill out a Medicare application or enrollment form online or on paper. ...
  • Web resources. If you're a Web-savvy older adult, use the Internet to look for more information about your Medicare benefits or to find appropriate forms.
  • Phone numbers. ...
  • Enrolling in your plan. ...

What documents are needed to file for Medicaid?

Medicaid Document Checklist Last Updated January 21, 2018

  • Copy of photo ID (front and back)
  • Copy of social security card (front and back)
  • Copy of health insurance card (front and back)
  • Copy of Medicare card (front and back)
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Social security annual statement
  • Copy of most recent health insurance premium bill
  • Copy of most recent bank statement

More items...

What items are needed for a Medicaid application?

  • Proof of age (birth certificate or driver’s license).
  • Proof of citizenship or alien status.
  • Proof of all sources of income (paystubs or tax return, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veteran’s benefits, retirement accounts, and any other income).

More items...

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What documentation is required for Medicare?

To apply for Medicare, you'll need your birth certificate, health insurance info, Social Security card, and potentially citizenship verification. However, if you enroll in additional Medicare parts such as Medicare Part C, Medicare Part D, or Medigap, you won't need to submit additional information.

What is the first step in applying for Medicare?

Step 1: Find out if you need to sign up for Medicare Part A or B.Step 2: Decide if you want Medicare Part B benefits.Step 3: Decide if you want extra coverage with Medicare.Step 4: Decide if you want Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage.

What are the 3 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.

Can you use your passport to apply for Medicare?

According to the Social Security website, here are the documents (originals, not photocopies) you may need: Your birth certificate or other proof of birth. Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency, such as a passport.

How long does it take to set up Medicare?

Your initial enrollment window for Medicare spans seven months, beginning three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ending three months after that month. During this time, you have the option to sign up for Medicare online. The process is fairly simple and should take 15 minutes or less.

Will I automatically be enrolled in 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.)

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.

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.

How does Medicare work when you turn 65?

You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.

What ID do I need for Medicare card?

At a Medicare Office Also, you should take two forms of identification with you (eg. a birth certificate, student card, healthcare card, driver's licence or passport). You can also choose to stay on your parent's card and have a copy made to keep with you. You don't need identification to do this.

Can you enroll in Medicare online?

You can apply online (at Social Security) - select “Already Enrolled in Medicare” from the menu. Or, fax or mail your forms to your local Social Security office.

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.

What is the best way to apply for Medicare?

The best way to apply for Medicare is online at socialsecurity.gov or by speaking with a representative at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, b...

How long does it take for a Medicare application to be approved?

Depending on the application method that you choose, approval by phone, mail, or online can take 30 to 60 days. However, applications can be proces...

What do I need to do to enroll in Medicare?

You will need basic information and documentation such as your Social Security card, citizenship status, birth certificate, earnings statements, fe...

Is it mandatory to go on Medicare when you turn 65?

No, it’s not mandatory to go on Medicare when you turn 65. However, declining the federal benefit can end up being complicated in certain scenarios...

How much does Medicare cost at 65 years old?

Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. The premium for Part B is currently $148.50, but it can be more if you have a high income. The...

Medicare Eligibility

Your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare lasts for seven months, starting three months before you reach the age of 65 and ending three months after. Eligibility for Medicare benefits is available for people age 65 and older.

What to Bring When Applying for Medicare

If you’re collecting Social Security benefits before you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare. You won’t need to dig up any documents to apply. The same goes for being eligible due to collecting SSDI after 24 months.

Documents for Medicare Advantage and Medigap

Whether you sign up for Medicare Advantage or Medigap, you’ll 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.

What If I Lost My Documents?

If you lost your documents or can’t locate them, you still have time to obtain new copies before applying for Medicare. This involves contacting your state or local offices for copies of records and other documents that you might not have readily available. Here’s how you can obtain new copies.

Enrolling in Medicare

Once you’ve got all of your documents in order, you’re ready to apply! To get started, check out my guide: How to Apply for Medicare.

Social Security May Request Birth Certificates and Tax Information

The application process for Medicare asks for several pieces of information, including:

Seniors Can Use Other Documents to Prove Their Eligibility

If a senior doesn’t have a record of their birth in the form of a birth certificate, another document such as a passport can be used. If they don’t have a passport, Social Security may accept immunization or other medical records, school records or state census records as proof of age.

Applying for Medicare only takes around 10 minutes when you do it online

For most people, the process of applying for Medicare health insurance will be remarkably simple. However, it makes sense to seek a thorough understanding of the enrollment process before it begins, so you can ensure that you know exactly what you need to do at every stage.

Understanding Medicare Eligibility

To receive Medicare health insurance benefits, you must be eligible. There are slightly different sets of eligibility criteria depending on your overall situation, but understanding eligibility is fairly simple overall.

Understanding the Parts of Medicare

As you begin the enrollment process, it’s very important to be aware of the different types of Medicare that are available. There are four types, known as Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D, and each functions uniquely. Let’s take a look at each one.

How Does Medicare Enrollment Work?

If you’re enrolling in Original Medicare when you turn 65, most of the enrollment process will be automatic. In fact, you may not have to show any documents at all in this situation.

When to Enroll?

You can’t enroll in Medicare at any time. Instead, there are “enrollment periods” that determine when you can enroll.

Which Documents May I Need to Use?

If Medicare and Social Security don’t 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.

Final Thoughts on Medicare and Documentation

As you can see, documentation is probably the easiest part of enrolling in Medicare. When you enroll, most of the process can be automatic, and the list of documents that may be required is fairly short.

What documents are needed to enroll in Medicare Part A and B?

The documents needed to enroll in Medicare Part A and B include a birth certificate, driver’s license, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.

How are Medigap plans identified?

Medigap plans also vary in cost and coverage. The plans are identified by a letter and are standardized across most states.#N#This online tool can help a person compare Medigap plans.

What happens if you delay enrolling in Medicare?

With Medigap, the person can lose the ability to gain coverage with pre-existing conditions.

What age do you have to be to qualify for Medicare?

For example, eligibility for Medicare means a person must be aged 65 or older, or under 65 and living with a disability. A person of any age is eligible for Medicare if they have end stage renal disease or permanent kidney failure that needs treatment or dialysis.

How long does it take to get Medicare if you turn 65?

Many people are automatically enrolled in Medicare when they turn 65 and have had Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits for at least 4 months.

What is part B in Medicare?

Part B covers various medically necessary services a person receives as an outpatient. Typically, Part B covers: 1 visits to a doctor’s office 2 ambulance transport 3 health screenings, such as cancer screening tests 4 durable medical equipment 5 rehabilitation therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy received as an outpatient

When is the open enrollment period for Medicare?

The open enrollment period (OEP) is from October 15–December 7 annually. During the OEP, a person can switch from original Medicare to an Advantage plan, or from an Advantage plan to original Medicare. A person may also switch between Advantage plans, or enroll in or cancel a Part D prescription drug plan.

Medicare basics

Start here. Learn the parts of Medicare, how it works, and what it costs.

Sign up

First, you’ll sign up for Parts A and B. Find out when and how to sign up, and when coverage starts.

What to do if you don't have all your Social Security documents?

If You Don't Have All Of The Documents. Even if you don't have everything, don't delay applying for Social Security retirement benefits. You can provide the missing documents later. We may be able to help you get them. In many cases, your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information ...

What to do if you don't have all the documents?

If You Don't Have All Of The Documents. Even if you don't have everything, don't delay applying for Social Security retirement benefits . You can provide the missing documents later. We may be able to help you get them.

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