Social Security representative payee vs Medicare authorized person - separate processes?

They're different. When I became rep payee for my dad, I still had to fill out separate paperwork to handle his Medicare stuff. Had to use form CMS-1696 I think. Being a rep payee for SS doesn't automatically give u authority for Medicare decisions.

Social Security representative payee and Medicare authorized representative are two separate designations that require different processes. As a representative payee, you're authorized to receive and manage your mother's Social Security benefits, but this doesn't automatically extend to Medicare. For Medicare, you'll need to complete Form CMS-1696 (Appointment of Representative) which authorizes you to act on her behalf for Medicare matters. Additionally, if you need to handle her Medicare Part D (prescription drug) decisions, some plans require their own authorization forms. The Medicare authorization gives you ability to: - Enroll/disenroll in Medicare plans - File appeals for denied services - Access her Medicare information - Communicate with Medicare on her behalf

My sister is rep paye for our mom. She just went to SS office with the paperwork they gave her and then Medicare knew automatically. No seprate forms!!! So confused why everyone saying differnt things.

I went through this NIGHTMARE last year with my aunt. Being a rep payee for Social Security is one process. Then for Medicare you need the CMS-1696 form. BUT THEN I found out there's ANOTHER form if you want to access the Medicare.gov account online!!! And ANOTHER form if she has a Medicare Advantage plan! I spent WEEKS getting this sorted out and kept getting bounced between offices. None of the customer service people seem to understand their own systems!!! It's absolutely ridiculous how complicated they make this!!!

Hey there! I actually work with seniors and help them navigate these systems. There's often confusion about this topic. To clarify: 1. Rep payee (Social Security) - Allows you to receive/manage SS benefits 2. Authorized representative (Medicare) - Allows you to handle Medicare issues 3. Medicare account designee - Allows online account access They're separate systems with separate authorizations. For the Medicare side, you'll need to submit Form CMS-1696, but if your mom has a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan, those insurance companies might require their own authorization forms too. If you're having trouble reaching representatives at Medicare to get this sorted, I've personally seen clients have good experiences with Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you connect with agents quickly without the ridiculous hold times. There's a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

There's a lot of incorrect information here. Let me clarify the official policy: Being a representative payee for Social Security benefits does NOT automatically make you authorized to act on someone's behalf for Medicare matters. These are completely separate programs with separate authorization requirements, even though Medicare is administered by the Social Security Administration. For Medicare authorization, you need form CMS-1696. This allows you to handle things like appeals, enrollment decisions, and communicating with Medicare. This authorization can be ongoing or for a specific timeframe. For online Medicare account access, there's yet another process through Medicare.gov's account settings where the beneficiary can grant access (if they're able), or you can request access directly. If your mother has a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan, those private insurers may have their own authorization requirements too. Source: I worked at SSA for 12 years before retiring.

Update: I finally got this sorted out! For anyone who finds this thread later - here's what worked: 1. Rep payee for Social Security is completely separate from Medicare authorization 2. Got the CMS-1696 form from Medicare.gov, filled it out, and mailed it to my mom's Medicare Advantage plan 3. Had to fill out a separate form for her Part D prescription plan 4. Used Claimyr to finally reach a Medicare rep who added me as an authorized person on her Medicare.gov account Frustrating process but finally done! Thanks everyone for the help and guidance.

they should really make this easier, my grandmother needed help and i had to do all this paperwork too. glad u got it fixed!

Just went through this exact situation with my father-in-law last month. Can confirm what others have said - they are completely separate processes and it's incredibly confusing! The SSA rep payee application was straightforward, but then I had to navigate the Medicare maze separately. One tip that helped me: when you call Medicare, ask to speak with someone specifically about "authorized representative" setup rather than just general Medicare questions. I got transferred around less when I was specific about what I needed. Also keep copies of everything - I had to resubmit the CMS-1696 form twice because they claimed they never received it the first time. The whole system really needs to be streamlined. It's hard enough dealing with a family member's health issues without having to become an expert in government bureaucracy!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now with my elderly neighbor who asked me to help her navigate this process. Reading through everyone's experiences confirms what I suspected - that these are two completely separate bureaucratic processes that unfortunately don't communicate with each other very well. I've bookmarked this discussion because the step-by-step breakdown and real-world experiences shared here are way more useful than the official government websites, which tend to be vague and confusing. It's frustrating that families dealing with health crises have to become experts in government paperwork, but at least this community makes it a bit easier to figure out. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those who provided the specific form numbers and practical tips!

I'm just starting to research this for my dad who had a recent hospitalization. Reading through this thread has been so eye-opening - I had no idea these were separate processes! I was assuming that getting appointed as his rep payee would cover everything Medicare-related too. It's honestly pretty shocking how disconnected these systems are, especially since they're both supposed to be helping the same vulnerable population. My dad is still recovering and the last thing I want to do is mess up his benefits by not filing the right paperwork. Quick question for those who've been through this - should I wait until the rep payee approval goes through before starting the Medicare authorization process, or can I do both at the same time? I'm trying to figure out the most efficient way to handle this without creating any complications. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that you can't get from the official websites!

I'm a case worker who helps families navigate these systems daily, and I can confirm everything that's been shared here. The confusion is completely understandable because logically you'd think Social Security rep payee status would cover all SSA-administered programs, but Medicare has its own authorization requirements. One thing I always tell families: if your loved one is cognitively able to participate, have them present when you submit the CMS-1696 form either in person or by phone. Some Medicare representatives will want to verify consent directly with the beneficiary, even if the paperwork is properly filled out. This can speed up the approval process significantly. Also, keep a copy of the signed CMS-1696 form for your records - you'll often need to reference the authorization number when calling Medicare, and having it handy saves time. The authorization typically lasts until revoked or until the beneficiary passes away, unlike some other temporary authorizations. The system definitely needs reform to be more family-friendly during medical crises, but knowing the separate processes upfront at least helps you plan accordingly.