While Social Security and Railroad Medicare cards are red, white, and blue in color, there are a few differences that we want you to know about. The front of your Medicare card shows Medicare Health Insurance provided by the Railroad Retirement Board, instead of a Social Security Medicare card showing their toll-free phone number.
Full Answer
What does the new Medicare card look like?
What Does The New Medicare Card Look Like The new Medicare card is black, white, and blue, and it contains your full name, your new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier , and the date in which your Medicare Part A and B coverage starts. Here is a sample of what the new Medicare card looks like:
What is the difference between railroad Medicare and regular Medicare?
But there are a few differences. With railroad Medicare, more of your family members could qualify for coverage based on your working record. All Medicare beneficiaries’ spouses, divorced spouses, and surviving spouses may be eligible for Part A benefits. But railroad workers can add dependent parents to that list too.
How does Medicare work with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)?
Generally, your Medicare costs through the RRB will be the same as those paid by people who qualify for Medicare via Social Security. Just like workers outside the railroad industry, you’ll see Medicare deductions from your paycheck during your working years.
How do I enroll in Medicare as a railroad worker?
If you are enrolling in Medicare as a current or former railroad worker, you’ll need to follow specific steps to enrollment in Medicare: • Your enrollment in Original Medicare is handled by the RRB rather than by Social Security.
What do railroad Medicare ID numbers look like?
Medicare Numbers have 11 characters and contain numbers and uppercase letters only. They do not contain the letters S, L, O, I, B or Z. Characters one, four, seven, 10 and 11 will always be a number.
How do I know if I have railroad Medicare or regular Medicare?
The front of your Medicare card shows Medicare Health Insurance provided by the Railroad Retirement Board, instead of a Social Security Medicare card showing their toll-free phone number.
What is the payer ID for Medicare railroad?
MR018Payer Name: Medicare - Railroad|Payer ID: MR018|Professional (CMS 1500)
Is railroad Medicare the same as Social Security Medicare?
The Medicare program covers railroad workers just like workers under social security. Railroad retirement payroll taxes include a Medicare hospital insurance tax just like social security payroll taxes.
Is railroad Medicare a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Yes, Railroad Medicare beneficiaries can choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans.
Can you collect social security and railroad retirement at the same time?
Answer: Yes, you can apply for and receive both benefits, but the Tier 1 portion of your Railroad Retirement Annuity will be reduced by the amount of your Social Security benefit, so you may not receive more in total benefits.
How do you bill Railroad Medicare?
Getting Started With Railroad Medicare BillingStep 1: Ensure your enrollment information is correct with your local Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) ... Step 2: Request a Railroad Medicare PTAN. ... Step 3: Receive your Railroad Medicare PTAN. ... Step 4: File Electronically. ... Step 5: Go Green — Electronic Remits.
Is payer ID and Member ID the same?
There are multiple listings of names with the same payer ID because clients' member ID cards can have any of those different names on them. However, they're all associated with the same payer.
Is EDI and Payer ID the same?
The Payer ID or EDI is a unique ID assigned to each insurance company. It allows provider and payer systems to talk to one another to verify eligibility, benefits and submit claims. The payer ID is generally five (5) characters but it may be longer.
Is railroad disability the same as social security disability?
While both the Railroad Retirement and Social Security Acts provide benefits to workers who are totally disabled for any regular work, the Railroad Retirement Act also provides disability benefits specifically for employees who are disabled for work in their regular railroad occupation.
How do I contact railroad Medicare?
Provider Contact Center: 888-355-9165 Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for all time zones with the exception of PT, which provides service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Does railroad Medicare require precertification?
Prior authorization may be required for Part B services provided to Railroad Medicare patients when the claim for the service will be billed to and processed by another Medicare Administrative Contractor.
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.
Where is the railroad retirement board on my Medicare card?
Your Medicare card is similar to the new Medicare cards that all beneficiaries receive, with the exception that “Railroad Retirement Board” is printed in a red banner at the bottom of the card .
What happens if you receive a railroad retirement?
If you receive Railroad Retirement benefits or disability annuity benefits from the railroad at the time of eligibility for Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B by the RRB. After the RRB automatically enrolls you, you receive your Medicare card together with a letter from the RRB explaining ...
What is the RRB?
The RRB administers insurance and retirement benefits to all railroad workers in the country. Instead of getting retirement benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration as other workers do, the RRB provides railroad workers and their families with retirement benefits, along with unemployment and sickness benefits, ...
Do you have to go through the Social Security Administration if you are employed by the railroad?
However, if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and qualify for Medicare, you must go through the Social Security Administration even if you are employed by the railroad.
Does Medicare cover railroad employees?
Medicare offers coverage to railroad employees just as it does for people who have Social Security. The payroll taxes of railroad employees include railroad retirement and Medicare hospital insurance taxes.
What is the difference between railroad health insurance and Medicare?
The only difference is that Railroad health insurance plans are usually given to railroad retirement annuitants and their families. Try to think of it as just like getting social security benefits when you retire. With Railroad Medicare, the Part A plan will be able to cover hospitalization.
How old do you have to be to qualify for Railroad Medicare?
Even the eligibility requirements for both are practically the same. You need to be 65 years old or you need to be disabled. These are the things that you have to remember about these program. You will see that there is not much difference between Railroad Medicare and normal Medicare.
How is Railroad Part B financed?
Railroad Part B, on the other hand, is financed by monthly premiums from you or the federal government revenue funds.
What is the number to call a railroad retirement board?
Call a Licensed Agent: 833-271-5571. Due to COVID-19, the Railroad Retirement Board closed offices as of March 16, 2020. We’ll keep you updated on when offices reopen. In the meantime, visit RRB.gov to learn about your online self-serve options.
How long do you have to enroll in Medicare if you have end stage renal disease?
Whether you become eligible for Medicare via age or disability, you’ll have seven months, called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), in which to enroll.
When do you become eligible for Medicare?
Typically, you’ll become eligible when you turn 65 or reach your 25th month of receiving disability benefits. The main difference is that the RRB classifies disability differently than the SSA does, so check with a representative ...
Does Medicare pay through the RRB?
Generally, your Medicare costs through the RRB will be the same as those paid by people who qualify for Medicare via Social Security. Just like workers outside the railroad industry, you’ll see Medicare deductions from your paycheck during your working years.
Does RRB have Medicare?
Today, the RRB offers railroad workers a similar safety net. RRB beneficiaries can tap into Medicare benefits, much like Social Security beneficiaries, with a few differences. If you are a railroad worker, learn what you can expect from Medicare in terms of eligibility, enrollment, costs, and health benefits—and how your RRB benefits differ ...
Do you pay Medicare Part D premiums through RRB?
If you add Medicare Part D, Medigap, or Medicare Advantage, you’ll pay additional premiums for these as well, but not through your RRB income checks. You’ll pay for each of these coverages separately, directly to the insurance company that provides each plan.
Is Medicare the same as Social Security?
Benefits. Generally, Medicare benefits are the same whether you qualify via Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. But there are a few differences.