Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare is a federal program that provides health care coverage for individuals over age 65 and certain individuals who qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). I can assist you with primary insurer, claims, and billing issues. In addition to frequently answered questions below, please feel free to contact one of my district offices with questions you may have or to request personal assistance with Medicare.
Medicaid is a needs-based, joint federal/state program that is administered by the state of Texas. If you require assistance with a Medicaid issue, you may wish to contact your
State Representative or Senator.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medicare
How do I contact Medicare?
- You can call toll free 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); or TTY/TTD 1-877-486-2048
- You can visit the Medicare website.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
- You can write to:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services headquarters
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 - You can write to:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Region VI office
1301 Young Street, Suite 714
Dallas, TX 75202
How will I benefit from the new Medicare coverage?
Learn more about the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA ). Or Click here for general information and frequently asked questions regarding the new Medicare benefit package.
How do I apply for Medicare benefits?
Most questions can be answered by calling Medicare toll free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048. You can also contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or TTY phone at 1-800-325-0778. The items listed below are general guidelines:
- If you are already receiving SSA retirement, disability benefits, or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact you shortly before you are eligible to enroll in the Medicare program.
- If you are not already receiving benefits, you should contact SSA three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare.
- If you don`t plan to retire at age 65, you should register with the SSA or you may be penalized for each year past age 65 that you do not enroll Medicare outpatient services (Part B) and the voluntary prescription drug benefits (Part D). To register for Medicare, contact SSA at about three months before your 65th birthday.
What do I do if my primary/secondary insurer information is wrong?
Database updates to the Medicare system from a secondary insurer occasionally cause Medicare to be incorrectly denoted as a secondary insurer. In many instances, this issue is easily corrected. Please feel free to contact one of my district offices for assistance in getting this matter resolved. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or submit your written request to have this issue corrected to Medicare at the following address:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services1301 Young Street, Suite 714
Dallas, TX 75202
Does Medicare maintain information on local nursing homes?
Yes. Medicare recently designed a Nursing Home Compare component where you can search for nursing homes in a desired area and review quality of care and inspection reports. Click here to begin your Nursing Home Compare search.
For more information, please visit the Medicare Website