Documentation Required for Medicare in the United States : Essential Guide

USA News: Documentation Required for Medicare in the United States, When enrolling in Medicare, verifying your eligibility through various documents is a crucial step. This documentation includes proof of your age, citizenship, military service (if applicable), and work history. If any of these documents are missing, Social Security can assist in retrieving them.

What You Need to Provide

To qualify for Medicare, you must present specific documents that demonstrate your eligibility. Although Medicare and Social Security might already have some of this information, you’ll need to supply any additional details they require.

Here’s what you might need to submit:

• Proof of age
• Proof of citizenship
• Documentation of work and income history
• Military service records (if applicable)

You should provide original copies of these documents if possible. If originals are unavailable, you can request new copies.

Specific Documentation Requirements

Upon first enrolling in Medicare, it’s essential to prove your eligibility. Medicare might already have this information if you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance. In such cases, no additional documents are necessary.

If you do not receive Social Security benefits, you must submit documentation to enroll in Medicare. You can apply online, over the phone, or in person at a Social Security office. Regardless of the method, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Social Security number
• Date and place of birth
• Citizenship status
• Names and Social Security numbers of current and former spouses
• Dates and places of marriages and divorces
• Names and ages of any children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school)
• Names and ages of any children with a disability before age 22
• Information about past Social Security benefits applications
• Names and addresses of employers in the past two years
• Earnings information from the past two years (and estimates for the next year if applying between September and December)
• Dates of any military service before 1968
• Information on any railroad industry work
• Social Security work credits earned in another country
• Information on any federal pension received now or in the future

Additional Documents You Might Need

While most of this information can be provided in the application, some details require extra documentation. These may include:

• Original birth certificate or a certified copy
• Proof of age if no birth record is available (e.g., immunization records, school records, state census records, insurance records, or medical records)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship if born outside the U.S. (e.g., U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, or U.S. consular report of birth)
• Proof of legal residency for non-citizens (e.g., Permanent Resident Card and admission-departure record)
• Military service records if served before 1968 (e.g., discharge papers)
• W-2 or self-employment tax information from the past year
• Earnings statements (e.g., Social Security statement)

Even if you don’t have all these documents, it’s wise to have as many ready as possible. Social Security will inform you of what’s specifically needed.

Submit original documents wherever possible. Social Security accepts copies of W-2s, tax documents, and medical records, but all other documents must be originals. These will be returned after review.

Enrolling in Specific Parts of Medicare

When enrolling in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance), collectively known as original Medicare, the aforementioned documents are required.

You must enroll in original Medicare before you can enroll in other Medicare parts, including:

• Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)
• Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap)

For these parts, you only need to provide your Medicare number and Part A start date, found on your Medicare card.

Lost Documents? Here’s How to Replace Them

If you’ve misplaced any necessary documents, it’s a good idea to start gathering replacements before applying for Medicare. Here’s how:

• Birth Certificates: Request a copy from the Vital Records Office of your birth state, following their instructions and paying any required fees. Expedited services are often available for an additional fee.
• Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship: Request a copy from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services using Form N-565, with a $555 fee and two passport-style photos.
• Permanent Resident Card: Request a replacement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services using Form I-90, with a $465 fee and a government ID copy.
• Military Service Records: Request a copy online or by mail with no fee, providing your birth date, Social Security number, service name, and service dates.
• Earnings Statements: Obtain from Social Security by creating a My Social Security account, view online, and print.

If you can’t get copies of some documents, submit your application anyway. Social Security can help track down the necessary paperwork or assist you in obtaining it from your state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Stay prepared and ensure all necessary documentation is in order to streamline your Medicare enrollment process.