Medicare makes it convenient to keep up to date with the plans, costs, and coverage we have.
Knowing your Medicare status is critical to your enrollment and use of Medicare. You can easily check by phone, online, or in person to find out your Medicare coverage status.
There are several ways Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare allow you to monitor the status of your coverage. Because SSA handles your initial enrollment in Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B, it is important that you stay in touch with them throughout the process and beyond. They can be contacted in the following ways:
Once your application is processed, you will receive a notification letter in the mail to inform you of whether your application was approved.
You may be enrolled automatically in Original Medicare if you qualify under these two scenarios:
Contact Medicare by phone three months before your scheduled start date to make sure the correct enrollment options are in process.
To check the status of your enrollment in Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Supplement, or PDP coverage, contact Medicare by telephone at 1(800)633-4227 or through the login page. Your online enrollment status will show the name of your plan, what type of coverage you have, and when it started.
You will receive a letter from SSA confirming your enrollment choice and the date it will begin.
Your Medicare card will contain pertinent information regarding your enrollment. Once you receive your Medicare Card, be sure to check that your name, Medicare number, and start dates are all on the card and that the information is correct.
The start dates located in the lower right corner of your card indicate when your Part A and B coverage begins. If you see a Medicare Part A start date and not a Part B start date, you are not enrolled in Part B. If any information is missing or incorrect on your card, contact Medicare by telephone immediately.
Once enrolled, you’ll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card. You should receive your card two to three months preceding your 65th birthday if you are automatically enrolled. If you manually enrolled, you will likely receive your card three to four weeks later.
Contact SSA three months before you are to start Medicare coverage to make sure your enrollment is processed correctly. Being proactive is important with everything pertaining to Medicare.
There are over 10 ways to monitor your enrollment progress and chosen coverage options. However, three are preferred:
| How to Monitor Your Medicare Enrollment Progress | ||
| Initial Enrollment in Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B | ||
Ron Elledge is an accomplished Medicare agent, planner, and author. Elledge earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible theology from International Seminary and spent 30 years in pastoral ministry. He began his current career in insurance with a specialty in Medicare in 2008 and has since authored “Medicare Made Easy: What Expats, Frequent Travelers and You Need to Know” and is often a featured speaker at the International Living conferences. Elledge is a contributor to International Living, supporting Medicare beneficiaries with articles, podcasts, and Q&As.
A licensed seniors market insurance agent in Arizona and New Mexico, Elledge has helped thousands decipher the intricacies of Medicare rules and regulations, enabling them to make educated selections for their health care needs. As a world traveler with his wife, Shelli, Elledge specializes in Medicare for expats and frequent travelers. He’s up to date with Medicare regulations, coverage options, and enrollment protocols and is fervent in his resolve to present trustworthy data on this confusing and often maligned program.
“By obtaining dependable details on how to read their Medicare options, recipients can plan for it correctly and make the best choices,” says Elledge. “These choices often make a huge financial and emotional difference in their futures. When Medicare is correctly utilized, it becomes a powerful financial and medical tool for all who qualify.”
Ron Elledge is an accomplished Medicare agent, planner, and author. Elledge earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible theology from International Seminary and spent 30 years in pastoral ministry. He began his current career in insurance with a specialty in Medicare in 2008 and has since authored “Medicare Made Easy: What Expats, Frequent Travelers and You Need to Know” and is often a featured speaker at the International Living conferences. Elledge is a contributor to International Living, supporting Medicare beneficiaries with articles, podcasts, and Q&As.
A licensed seniors market insurance agent in Arizona and New Mexico, Elledge has helped thousands decipher the intricacies of Medicare rules and regulations, enabling them to make educated selections for their health care needs. As a world traveler with his wife, Shelli, Elledge specializes in Medicare for expats and frequent travelers. He’s up to date with Medicare regulations, coverage options, and enrollment protocols and is fervent in his resolve to present trustworthy data on this confusing and often maligned program.
“By obtaining dependable details on how to read their Medicare options, recipients can plan for it correctly and make the best choices,” says Elledge. “These choices often make a huge financial and emotional difference in their futures. When Medicare is correctly utilized, it becomes a powerful financial and medical tool for all who qualify.”
