Your online Medicare account (previously called MyMedicare account), is a helpful online portal that lets you manage your Medicare plans at any time, from anywhere you have an internet connection. A great benefit to accessing this account is saving time as opposed to calling a Medicare agent with your questions.
The Information You Can Access
When you access the Medicare.gov website, there is a lot of information for Medicare beneficiaries, along with information for those beginning their Medicare journey.
Without an account, you can use the Medicare.gov website to:
- Learn basic information about Medicare
- Learn how health plans and drug coverage work
- Learn what Medicare covers
- Find health and drug plans in your area
- Compare health and drug plans
- Find care providers
- Compare hospitals, nursing homes, and other providers near you
- Learn how to sign up for coverage
- Locate forms, publications, and information about things Medicare mails you
- File claims, complaints, and appeals
- Use Medicare’s live chat feature (available 24/7 except some holidays)
- If you’re not ready to create an account yet, you can sign up for news and updates at the bottom of the Medicare.gov website’s homepage. They will email you things like reminders about open enrollment and ways to save costs.
Additional benefits to creating your own account:
- View your Medicare Summary Notice within 24 hours of your visit
- Manage details and claims
- Add your prescriptions to help you better compare health and drug plans in your area.
- View your Original Medicare claims as soon as they’re processed.
- Print a copy of your official Medicare card.
- Review a list of preventive services you’re eligible to get in Original Medicare.
- Learn about your Medicare premiums, and pay them online if you get a bill from Medicare.
- Receive letters
- Retain a record of your drugs, pharmacy preferences, and see information about your current coverage. This information is especially useful when comparing alternative coverage plans.
- Add your prescriptions to help you better compare health and drug plans in your area.
- Review a list of preventive services you’re eligible to get in Original Medicare.
- Learn about your Medicare premiums, and pay them online if you get a bill from Medicare.
Related: How an Explanation of Benefits HELP You
Signing Up for Your Medicare.gov Account
REMEMBER: The government uses .gov web addresses, make sure that the site you are applying on is the official Medicare.gov website.
You will need your Medicare number to create your account, along with your Part A or Part B start date, both of which can be found on your Medicare card. If you don’t have your Medicare card yet, you can log into your secure Social Security account to get your Medicare Number, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Things to note:
- If you join a Medicare health or drug plan, your plan may offer an online account to track your claims.
- Give Medicare permission to talk to someone you trust such as a spouse, family member or care giver. Medicare cannot share any information about your Medicare account, like claims or billing, unless you give them written permission first. Fill out and mail an authorization form or log into your Medicare account to permit them.
It is not a requirement to create a Medicare.gov account to use Medicare services, but it definitely has its advantages. We encourage you to take a moment and review your options and what you may get out of it. If you have additional questions, we are always happy to help!
Give Karen or Matt a call with any questions at 865-203-2040 or email us at contact@seniorinsurancespecialty.com!
*We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 11 organizations which offer 126 products in your area. You can contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices.