If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare. However, your Medicare enrollment will be processed by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) not the Social Security Administration.
If you are already receiving retirement or disability annuity checks when you become eligible for Medicare, RRB will automatically enroll you in Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
If you are not collecting retirement or disability benefits when you turn 65, contact the RRB field office to enroll in Medicare. It is important to enroll in Medicare when you first become eligible to avoid any late enrollment penalties or gaps in coverage.
If you sign up for Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan to get Part A and Part B bundled together. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D prescription drug coverage and other health care benefits like hearing, vision and dental.
You will get your Medicare card and a letter from the RRB confirming your enrollment in Medicare.
The RRB will deduct your Medicare premiums from your retirement benefits check. Medicare Part A is premium-free as long as you worked for the railroad for ten years (40 quarters) or more. The Medicare Part B premium will be automatically deducted from your check each month. If you don’t have enough work history for a premium-free Part A, that premium will be deducted from your check as well.
Make sure your providers know you have Railroad Medicare when they collect your insurance information so they know how to submit claims for your health care services.
Contact your RRB field office if you have any questions.
Learn more about Banner Health’s Medicare Advantage plans.
Learn about Banner Health’s Medicare Part D plan.
Contact Banner Medicare so we can answer any questions you may have and even help you enroll.
Call (888) 788-1931 (TTY 711) to speak with a licensed sales agent.
Use our online form to have a licensed sales agent contact you.
Have questions or need help enrolling?
Call (833) 516-1007 (TTY 711) to speak with a licensed sales agent.
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