You are typically eligible for Medicare Medicare is the federal government health insurance program that provides health care coverage if you are 65 or older, are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, begin receiving SSDI due to ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) no matter your age. You can receive health coverage directly through the federal government (see Original Medicare) or through a private company (see Medicare Advantage). if you are eligible for either Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits. There are a few important differences when you enroll in Medicare if you are or were a railroad worker.
- Your enrollment Enrollment is joining Original Medicare or becoming a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan. will be processed by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) instead of by Social Security. If you are receiving Railroad Retirement benefits or railroad disability annuity checks when you become eligible for Medicare, RRB should automatically enroll you in Medicare Parts A and B. You should receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card Everyone who enrolls in Medicare receives a red, white, and blue Medicare card. It lists your name and the dates that your Original Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) began. It also shows your Medicare number, which serves as an identification number in the Medicare system. If you get Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board, your card will say “Railroad Retirement Board” at the bottom. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will also have a card from that plan (see Medicare Advantage Plan Card). and a letter from RRB explaining that you have been enrolled in Medicare. If you are not collecting Railroad Retirement benefits when you turn 65, you should contact your local RRB field office to enroll in Medicare.
- If you are under 65 and have a disability, you will have to fulfill different eligibility requirements to qualify for Medicare. Whether you are eligible for Medicare and when it begins depends on how RRB classifies your disability. Contact your local RRB to learn more. Also, if you qualify for Medicare due to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you should contact Social Security to enroll, even if you are a railroad worker.
- RRB will collect your Medicare premiums. If you receive Railroad Retirement benefits or railroad disability annuity checks, your Medicare Part B should be automatically deducted from your check each month. If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, it will also be deducted from your check.
- Your doctors and other providers should bill a separate contractor for services covered under Part B. Your providers must send Railroad Medicare Part B claims to the Part B contractor selected by RRB. Always make sure your providers know you have Railroad Medicare to ensure that Medicare pays in a timely manner.
- Your Railroad Medicare card will look different:
rrb.gov