Railroad workers’ Medicare is identical to one under Social Security

I retired from railroad. I receive my Medicare under the Railroad Retirement Board. Is my Medicare any different than the Medicare offered through Social Security?

The Social Security Administration was established in 1935 to administer retirement benefit programs to U.S. workers and their families. The Railroad Retirement Board is an independent federal agency that was created 1935 to administer the retirement benefit programs for railroad workers and their families.

While the RRB is separate from Social Security, the two agencies share similarities. One of the similarities is both RRB and Social Security determine a worker's eligibility for Medicare.

Similar to a person who worked the appropriate number of quarters under Social Security to qualify for Medicare, you worked under the RRB and earned enough quarters for Medicare.

Your Medicare benefits are identical to Medicare under Social Security. Just like a person with Medicare under Social Security, you would call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit www.medicare.gov or read "Medicare and You 2016" to learn more about the Medicare program.

A couple of differences you would want to keep in mind: If you ever need to replace your Medicare card, you would contact the RRB rather than Social Security. The number for the RRB is 1-877-772-5772. If you want have questions about a specific Medicare claim, you may call 1-800-833-4455.

Can a physician charge me for completing a Medicare claims form?

No, your provider should not bill you for completing a Medicare claim form. Medicare policy states that the fee Medicare pays the provider includes reimbursement for claim submission.

If your provider bills you for claim completion, you may want to discuss this with the Senior Medicare Patrol at 410-222-4257. SMP may need to refer the provider, or his billing office, to Medicare's Provider Relations for clarification about this issue.

My doctor's office waited over a year to submit a claim. Medicare denied the claim because it was not submitted within the proper time frame. Can the doctor bill me?

Medicare has a time limit on claim submission; a claim needs to be filed within one calendar year of the date of service. If a provider submits the claim after that one-year mark, Medicare will deny the claim for untimely submission. In such a situation, you would not be responsible for the full charge; you may be responsible for any deductible or co-payment amounts.

Your Medicare summary notice will indicate if you are responsible for any deductible or co-payment amounts. Your Medicare summary notice may indicate that you have no financial responsibility.

If you need a copy of your Medicare summary notice, contact 1-800-MEDICARE. You may also view your Medicare summary notice online by visiting www.mymedicare.gov.

Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or [email protected].

Credit: Amy Rubino