How to get Medicare to talk to you about your parent
By the Folkswise team · Updated · 5 min read · How we write these guides
You call 1-800-MEDICARE about your mom's claim, and the first thing they ask is to speak with her. That's privacy law working as intended, but it can stop you cold. Here's how to set things up so you can help.
For a single call: have your parent give permission
The quickest way is to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) together. After your parent confirms who they are, they can tell the representative that it's OK to talk with you. Have their red, white and blue Medicare card handy. That permission covers that call, so for ongoing help, use the form below.
For ongoing help: Form CMS-10106
Form CMS-10106, the “1-800-MEDICARE Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information,” lets your parent name you (or anyone they choose) as someone Medicare may share their personal health information with. Your parent fills it in and signs it, chooses what information can be shared and for how long, and sends it to the address printed on the form. CMS also links to an online version from the form's page.
- Your parent must sign it themselves, unless someone already has legal authority to sign for them (for example a court-appointed guardian or, depending on its terms, a power of attorney). In that case, Medicare may ask for a copy of those papers.
- Your parent can cancel the permission at any time.
- It lets Medicare talk with you. It doesn't let you make decisions for your parent.
If you want to file an appeal for them
Being able to discuss claims isn't the same as acting on your parent's behalf. To file a Medicare appeal for them, the usual route is the Appointment of Representative form (CMS-1696), signed by both of you, which you send in with the appeal. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you fill it in, free.
The other places you'll need permission
- Medicare Advantage and Part D plans: each plan has its own authorization form. Call the member services number on the plan card and ask for it.
- Doctors' and hospitals' billing offices: ask for their HIPAA authorization form, or have your parent give verbal permission on the call.
- Social Security, which handles Medicare premiums deducted from benefits, has its own consent process. Ask Social Security which one applies.
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs: contact your parent's state Medicaid office.
Keep a copy handy
Keep a copy of every authorization you send, with the date. When you call, it helps to say “an authorization was sent on [date]” so the representative knows to look for it.
Common questions
- Can Medicare talk to me about my parent's claims?
- Only with your parent's permission. They can give it verbally on a call with you, or in writing with Form CMS-10106 for ongoing access.
- Does power of attorney let me talk to Medicare?
- It may, depending on what the power of attorney covers. Medicare can ask for a copy. Many families also send Form CMS-10106 so the permission is on file either way.
- Is Form CMS-10106 the same as appointing a representative?
- No. CMS-10106 lets Medicare share information with you. To file an appeal on your parent's behalf, you'd generally use the Appointment of Representative form, CMS-1696.