Social Security Helps Prospective Medicare Enrollees Blocked by Phone Problems

If you have been unable to enroll in Medicare since the start of 2022 because of problems with the Social Security Administration’s phone system, you can ask for extra time to sign up — even if your initial enrollment, special enrollment or general enrollment periods have passed.

To enroll using this special “equitable relief,” visit a Social Security office or call 800-772-1213 to let workers know about the trouble you have had. For help with your options, you also can contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) center.

“Social Security didn’t reopen their offices for walk-in appointments until early April, so people without internet access who couldn’t get through to Social Security over the phone had no recourse,” says Elizabeth Goodsitt, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. That state’s SHIP center received many reports of people unable to reach Social Security because of the phone problems.

If you take advantage of this program, you will have until Dec. 30 to enroll in Medicare (Dec. 31 is a Saturday). This additional time is especially important, since the annual general enrollment period, which had been a last-chance option, ended March 31.

Medicare coverage can go back to Jan. 1

If you’ve had doctor or hospital bills during the time you were eligible to be on Medicare, you can request Medicare coverage to start as far back as Jan. 1. The catch: You’ll have to pay all premiums in a lump sum, though the amount can be deducted from any Social Security benefits you’re receiving now.

Most people get Part A free but must pay $170.10 a month for Part B. Single beneficiaries and married couples with higher incomes pay more.