BackMedicare Questions - Who to Ask?
Sometimes the hardest part about getting a question answered is knowing whom to ask. And that can certainly be true if you, a relative or friend has a question about a large government program such as Medicare.
To whom should you go for an answer? The folks at Social Security? Or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS)-the federal agency that administers the Medicare program? The answer actually depends on the type of Medicare question that you have.
Here is a convenient guide that you may want to keep handy.
Contact Social Security if ...
- You want to sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B;
- You need a replacement Medicare card; or
- You have questions about Medicare premiums.
For more information about these subjects or services, you can visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov, or you can call the Social Security toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if ...
- You want general Medicare information
- You have questions about Medicare Part A or Part B coverage
- You want information about Medicare patients' rights and appeal rights
- You need information about nursing homes or Medicare health plan choices in your area.
If you want more information about Medicare you should visit the website at www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Another convenient reference source for Medicare information is the Medicare & You handbook. If you need a copy, you can call the Medicare toll-free number at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048). You can also find a copy of this handbook at CMS' website at www.medicare.gov Shawn Mercer is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. To contact him with questions or comments or to request a speaker for your group or organization call 601-544-7351 or e-mail him at shawn.mercer@ssa.gov.