Impossible to schedule Medicare appointment with Social Security - tried 800 number for hours!

The 800 number is basically useless these days. I spent 4 hours on hold last month trying to sort out my Medicare Part B issue. What worked for me was physically going to the office first thing in the morning (get there 30 min before they open) and asking for an appointment in person. They'll usually schedule you for later that week. Bring ID and your Medicare card if you have one.

my mom had same issue. she went in person w/out appt but had to wait 3 hrs just to talk to someone!! and then they told her she didnt have right papers so had to come back again. such a waste of time...

I recently helped my father with his Medicare enrollment, and I found a service called Claimyr that helped us get through to SSA quickly. Instead of waiting for hours, we connected with a live agent in about 20 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was worth it because they got us an appointment for the following week. My dad was able to complete his Medicare enrollment during his Initial Enrollment Period and avoid those late penalties you mentioned. The SSA representative was actually quite helpful once we finally got through!

You have several options for scheduling a Medicare enrollment appointment: 1. Call right when they open (8:00 AM local time). Wait times are shortest then. 2. Use the online service at SSA.gov - while you can't schedule appointments directly, you can start your Medicare application online, which often eliminates the need for an in-person visit. 3. Visit your local office early in the morning as someone suggested. Tuesday-Thursday tends to be less busy than Monday/Friday. 4. If you're within 3 months of turning 65, remember you're in your Initial Enrollment Period, which extends 3 months after your birth month. So you still have time if your birthday is in March. Bring your birth certificate, Social Security card, photo ID, and any current health insurance information. For Medicare Part B, they may need proof of any employer coverage you've had.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY PHONE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!! I'm convinced they're understaffed on purpose. I had to call 12 TIMES over TWO WEEKS just to speak to someone about my Medicare Part D issue. Every time I called I got a different estimated wait time, from 30 minutes to TWO HOURS!!! And half the time I got disconnected after waiting! The only thing that worked was calling at EXACTLY 8:00am when they open. I still waited 45 minutes but at least got through. The whole system is BROKEN!!!

have u tried the my ssa account online? sometimes u can msg them there

Just to clarify an important Medicare enrollment point: if you're turning 65 and don't have employer coverage (or your spouse's employer coverage), you need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid late penalties. This period includes the 3 months before your birth month, your birth month, and 3 months after. If you're turning 65 in March, your IEP is December through June. The Part B late enrollment penalty is 10% for each 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn't sign up, and it lasts as long as you have Part B. So your concern about getting this resolved is valid, but you do have some time. I'd recommend trying the phone at 8:00 AM sharp or visiting the office in person as others have suggested.

One thing no one mentioned - if you just need basic Medicare enrollment and don't have special circumstances, you might not even need an appointment. I got my Medicare card automatically a few months before turning 65 since I was already receiving Social Security benefits. Are you already getting SS retirement? If so, check your mail because they might have already enrolled you in Medicare Part A automatically.

Update on my earlier comment: Starting in 2023, SSA implemented an online appointment scheduler for some services, but it's somewhat hidden in their website. Here's how to find it: 1. Go to SSA.gov 2. Click on "Menu" at the top 3. Select "Contact Us" 4. Choose "Schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment" 5. Follow the prompts However, not all services are eligible for online scheduling. Medicare enrollment specifically might require calling. The best approach is probably still to try calling early (8:00-8:30 AM) or use one of those call connection services others have mentioned if you continue having trouble getting through.