MyMedicare.gov program is starting this fall to help Medicare beneficiaries manage personal Medicare benefits and service information. Registering with MyMedicare.gov gives you access to your personalized information at any time. Registering lets you:

• Check your Medicare information, such as your Medicare claims as soon as they are processed and important Medicare-related information specific to you.
• Find your eligibility, entitlement, and preventive service information.
• Check your health and prescription drug enrollment information.
• View your Part B deductible information.
• Manage your prescription drug list and other personal health information.
• Print an official Medicare card.
• Create an “On the Go Report” that allows you to print your health information to share with your healthcare providers.

Medicare uses the same information that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file for you (or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) if you get RRB benefits) to verify your information and set up your online account. To register online, you’ll:

• Enter your Medicare number (as it appears on your red, white, and blue Medicare card).
• Register with the same address that the SSA or RRB has on file for you. During Registration, you will be asked you to validate your address. This is an important step to protect your personal information, because Medicare may send you mail at this address that contains important personal account information.
• Create a username and password that you can remember and use to sign into MyMedicare.gov each time you visit.
• Provide information to reset your username or password if you forget it in the future.

Medicare will mail you a confirmation letter and send a confirmation email if you provided one during registration.

The security provided by MyMedicare.gov prevents others from illegally gathering data from or about you, keeping your personal information safe. Your MyMedicare.gov account may only be accessed by signing in with your own username and personalized password. You or your appointed Authorized Representative are the only people who should have this information.

Remember, you play an important role in protecting your personal information (including your Social Security number) from unlawful access. Always log out of your MyMedicare.gov account after you are finished with your session. Do not share your login information with anyone. Keep your username and password stored in a safe place.

Annual Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15^th– December 7^th, make an appointment with a Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansans (SHICK) for assistance in setting up your MyMedicare.gov account when reviewing Part D prescription and Advantage Plan options for 2020. If you have questions or would like to make an appointment at one of the Southwind Extension District offices (Fort Scott, Erie, Iola, and Yates Center), contact me at 620-223-3720 or [email protected].