Jeffrey Wade
If you have Medicare and other health insurance, each type of coverage is called a payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage and then sends the remaining balance to the secondary payer. If you have questions about who pays first or if your coverage changes, you can call the Benefits Coordination and Recovery Center. To update your insurance status with Medicare, you can contact the Social Security Administration or your private insurance company, depending on your plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancelling Medicare | You can cancel Part B at any time. You can only cancel Part A if you pay a premium for it. |
| Special Enrollment Periods | You can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage when certain life events happen, such as moving or losing other coverage. |
| Medicare Advantage Plan | You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan if you move outside your old plan's service area. |
| Medicare with other health insurance | Each type of coverage is called a "payer". The "primary payer" pays up to the limits of its coverage, then sends the rest of the balance to the "secondary payer". |
| Updating personal information | Update your personal record if you have any changes to report, such as your name, address, phone number, or date of birth. |
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What You'll Learn
Cancelling Medicare Part A or B
To update your insurance status with Medicare, you may need to cancel Part A or Part B. Here is some information on how to do this.
Cancelling Medicare Part A
You can generally only cancel Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) if you pay a premium for it (Premium-Part A).
Cancelling Medicare Part B
You can cancel Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) at any time. To do so, you must submit a signed form CMS-1763, a request for termination of premium hospital insurance or supplementary medical insurance, to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can mail or fax this form. You should also return your Medicare card, so you receive a replacement showing you have Part A coverage only.
If you cancel Part B, you may change your mind before the end date of your enrollment period by notifying your local Social Security office. If you reenroll after your enrollment period ends, you may need to complete a new online application. There is no penalty for cancelling Part B, but there may be a penalty if you reenroll later.
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Updating personal details
You can also update your personal details with Medicare by switching to digital communication. To do this, log into your Medicare account and go to "My Account Settings." From there, select "Edit" next to Medicare & You Handbook. Then, choose to receive your handbook and claims statements electronically.
Additionally, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and drug coverage during Special Enrollment Periods. These periods occur when certain life events take place, such as moving to a new address or losing other health coverage. During these periods, you may be able to switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, or return to Original Medicare if you were on a Medicare Advantage Plan previously.
If you have Medicare and other health insurance, you can determine which insurance is the "primary payer" and which is the "secondary payer." The primary payer pays up to its coverage limit, after which the remaining balance goes to the secondary payer. If the secondary payer does not cover the remaining balance, you may be responsible for the remaining costs. It is important to inform your healthcare providers about any changes in your insurance or coverage.
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Switching to digital handbooks
Medicare is the United States' federal health insurance program for people over 65, and younger people with disabilities. It is important to keep your personal information up to date with Medicare, especially your name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
There are a few ways to update your insurance status with Medicare. Firstly, you can update your personal record by filling out a form, such as the Request for Termination of Premium Hospital Insurance or Supplementary Medical Insurance (Form CMS-1763). You can also make changes to your Medicare Advantage and drug coverage when certain life events occur, such as moving to a new address or losing other healthcare coverage. These opportunities to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods. During a Special Enrollment Period, you may have the chance to join a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare drug plan.
To update your insurance status, you can also switch to digital handbooks, which are electronic versions of your "Medicare & You" handbook. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to switch to digital handbooks:
- Log into your Medicare account: Go to the Medicare website and log into your Medicare account. If you haven't created an account yet, you can create one by providing the necessary personal information.
- Navigate to "My Account Settings": Once you are logged in, go to the "My Account Settings" section. This is usually found in the user's account drop-down menu or settings page.
- Edit your handbook preferences: Under the "Email and Document Settings" section, locate the "Medicare & You Handbook" option. Click on the "Edit" button next to it.
- Choose the electronic option: Under "How do you want to get your Medicare & You Handbook?", select the "Electronically" option. By choosing this option, you are opting to receive your handbook digitally instead of a physical copy.
- Save your changes: After selecting the electronic option, make sure to click on "Save Changes" to confirm your preference. This will update your settings, and you will receive a link to the online PDF version of your handbook.
- Access your eHandbook: Medicare will email you a link to the online PDF version of the "Medicare & You" handbook. You can access your handbook at any time by logging into your Medicare account.
Remember to update your personal information with Medicare whenever there are changes to your name, address, phone number, or date of birth. Keeping your information current ensures that you receive important communications and that your coverage is accurate and up-to-date.
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Special enrollment periods
For example, if you move outside your old plan's service area, you can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare. Your opportunity to switch begins when you move and lasts for two full months after you move. If you inform your plan before you move, you can begin the switch one month before moving, and you will have two full months after you move to complete the switch.
If you qualify for multiple Special Enrollment Periods, you can use more than one at the same time. For instance, if you sign up for Part A or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period due to an exceptional situation, such as a natural disaster, you will have two months to join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan (Part D). Your coverage will start on the first day of the month after the plan receives your request.
There are two types of Special Enrollment Periods:
- Qualifying Life Events: This includes situations like moving, losing other coverage, or experiencing a natural disaster. The Special Enrollment Period for these events is two months.
- Working Past 65: If you have creditable coverage from an employer, there is an eight-month Special Enrollment Period for enrolling in Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D when you eventually qualify for Medicare. However, you only have the first two months of this period to enroll in Part C or Part D without incurring late penalties.
If you have Medicare and Medicaid or Extra Help, you may be able to make changes to your coverage once per calendar month, with the change taking effect on the first day of the next month.
If you have questions about Special Enrollment Periods or your specific situation, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
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Medicare and other insurance
Medicare is a public health insurance program, and it is possible to have both private insurance and Medicare coverage at the same time. When an individual has both, a process called "coordination of benefits" determines which insurance provider pays first. This provider is known as the "primary payer" and will pay for any covered services until the coverage limit has been reached. The other provider, the "secondary payer", will then pay for costs that the primary payer doesn't cover. If the secondary payer doesn't cover the remaining balance, the individual may be responsible for the rest of the costs.
The primary payer can depend on the type of private insurance an individual has and their specific situation. For example, if an individual has Medicare and COBRA, and they are 65 or older, or have a disability, Medicare pays first. If an individual has TRICARE, whether or not they are on active duty will determine which insurance pays first. If they are on active duty, TRICARE pays first for any services covered by Medicare.
Some health insurance plans, such as Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, require the use of in-network providers. If this is the case and the group health plan pays first, an individual may not be covered by Medicare if they choose to use an out-of-network provider.
If an individual has questions about who pays first or if their coverage changes, they can call the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center. They should also tell their doctor and other healthcare providers about any changes in their insurance or coverage when they get care.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have Medicare and other health insurance, each type of coverage is called a "payer". The "primary payer" pays up to the limits of its coverage, then sends the remaining balance to the "secondary payer". If your insurance changes, call the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center at 1-855-798-2627 (TTY: 1-855-797-2627).
You can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage during Special Enrollment Periods, which occur when certain life events happen, such as moving or losing other coverage. If you have questions or need help, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare uses the name, address, phone number, and date of birth from your Social Security record. If any of this information changes, update your personal record.
You can cancel Part B at any time. To cancel Part A, you must pay a premium for it. Fill out the Request for Termination of Premium Hospital Insurance or Supplementary Medical Insurance (Form CMS-1763).
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