How to Avoid Standing in Line
When the pandemic hit, all government offices shut down to anyone in person needing assistance. This left Seniors at a major disadvantage. Seniors are the largest group of people that rely on the Social Security Administration for enrolling in retirement benefits and their medical benefits. Everything had to be done over the phone with long hold times or online. No one enjoys these processes, let alone the generation who did not grow up in the high-tech world we see today. This is when I took a deep dive and learned all the tips and tricks on how to navigate the Medicare world without walking into an SSA office. Here are some valuable tips I picked up….
Do Not Call the National 800 Number
This one is pretty simple but avoid calling the national number for the SSA that is most commonly found in any Google search. I have found much better success in response time and, quite frankly, in the knowledge and courteousness of the representatives when calling local SSA offices for help. In Indiana, I have had a great experience with the Anderson, Muncie, Indianapolis Northeast and even the Indianapolis Downtown office. There are others throughout the state. You have to dig a bit harder to get the local office number if you are doing a basic internet search. Better yet, your local insurance agent should have a list. CDI has a list!! Wink, wink!!
My Social Security Account
You can do almost everything you need to do through your online ‘My SSA Account’. You can apply for your retirement benefits or your Medicare benefits for Part A and/or B. If your situation is simple such as turning 65 and wanting to enroll in Medicare Only, there is a short application you can get to right on your My SSA Account landing page under ‘Medicare’. You won’t need any supplemental documents, and you can do this up to three months before your birthday month. However, if you’re turning 65 and still plan to work full time, you may not want to sign up for Medicare. Check out this previous blog explaining how that works without a penalty….
https://www.cdi-cares.com/blog/turning-65-and-still-working-should-i-sign-up-for-medicare
The hardest part is actually setting up or creating your online ‘My Social Security Account’. CDI can help you with this as well. So just reach out!
Need Forms?....Have Them Ready
If you or your spouse are retiring and past the age of 65, you will need to have two forms completed in order to add your Part B of Medicare. Form L564, as it is named, is how you will prove you had creditable employer coverage since you turned 65. This is how you will avoid a penalty and get approved for Part B. An HR or Administration person from the employer must fill it out and sign it for you. The other form you will need is Form 40B. This one is just for you to fill out and sign requesting to add Part B. You will want to write in the ‘Remarks’ section what month you want your Part B to start. Rather than wait on a representative from SSA to send them to you in the mail…yep, they do not email things….the forms are accessible online or from your insurance agent for you to have completed and ready prior to calling SSA or applying online.
Timing is Everything
This is the trickiest part but can save you money. If you are adding Part B later after your initial enrollment period (ie. after you have passed 65), you want to be careful how early you submit the application and two forms mentioned above. For example, most of us know how slow SSA can be and want to get the forms and application submitted months ahead of time. This sounds great, but even if you write on your forms that you want to start Part B months later, many times the representatives overlook it and put your effective date as the next month. Now you start owing that monthly premium and may be double covered with your employer plan which can cause billing issues if you need medical care. In addition, trying to change the effective date or reverse it is nearly impossible. So you want to weigh out the potential for a month or two extra Part B premium versus how much risk there is that SSA won’t process your application in time if it’s too close to the deadline. There is so much to consider and navigate when dealing with SSA, so let someone with experience help you!
CDI can help you through this entire maze. We can meet in person or virtually. Reach out if you would like more information. Email carrie@cdi-cares.com or check out www.cdi-cares.com for a contact page and other helpful blogs.
Helpful Resources:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms-Items/CMS009718
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms-Items/CMS017339
