Dear Toni:
I had no problem opening the “My Social Security” account to enroll in Medicare because I knew those answers. When it came to filling out the application for Medicare that was another story.
I had a problem with some of Medicare’s personal questions. I knew my name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, etc. When it came to what kind of citizen, that was another issue because I am not a U.S.- born American. I was born in Greece and am proud to say that I received my American citizenship about 15 years ago. The application asked for the date that I became a U.S. citizen, and I could not answer that exact date and had to estimate. I now have to take in person or mail my original citizenship papers to my local Social Security office.
Toni, your Medicare column readers need to know that even though this is supposed to be an easier process by enrolling online at www.ssa.gov, there are still a few kinks that can confuse Americans. Please let your readers know not to give up when having a problem. If my wife and I had not scheduled a Medicare consultation via Zoom with the Toni Says office, I would have been totally lost applying online. Thanks, Toni.
Nick, Tampa, Florida
Hello Nick:
What a great compliment! I’m glad that you found your original citizenship papers and could get them to your local Social Security office after you had put them in such a safe place that it took you some time to find them.
Let’s discuss how to apply online, along with a few of the problems we are discovering, when helping others apply for Medicare when turning 65 or past 65 and you or your spouse are leaving employer benefits whether retiring or having been laid off.
If you cannot open a “My Social Security Account” to apply for Medicare Parts A and/or Part B, then what? Contact your local Social Security office by phone or call (800) 772-1213 and inform the Social Security agent that you are not able to open a Social Security account, are locked out and need Social Security’s help.
Once your My Social Security Account is established, you will need the following information to submit to Medicare (www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up):
1. Name, Social Security number, gender and date of birth.
2. Address, phone number, email address.
3. Citizenship information regarding you.
4. Questions about your health benefits.
5. Then submit your application online.
6. View your receipt.
Your receipt will advise you what documents will be needed to approve your Medicare. In Nick’s case, he had to provide his original citizenship papers. Another example of a document you might need is if you worked fewer than 40 quarters, you will be asked to provide a marriage certificate to verify that you are married and are applying under your spouse’s Medicare benefits.
Nick, after turning in your documents, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to find out when your Medicare application is finalized and approved. Download your “Benefit Verification Letter” which will include your Medicare number and Part A and/or B dates. You can enroll in a Medicare supplement and a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan which includes Medicare Part D. With your Medicare information, you will be able to open a www.medicare.gov account where you can print off your Medicare card, pay your Medicare premium and discover which Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan best meets your needs.
Readers, Medicare’s and Social Security’s rules are confusing for most Americans. Remember, with Medicare it’s what you don’t know that will hurt you.
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call (832) 519-8664. Her books are available at www.tonisays.com with a bundle discount for Toni readers.