Report the death to Medicare within two months

When someone with Medicare dies, you need to tell Medicare as soon as possible — ideally within two months. Medicare will stop paying claims after the person's death, and reporting prevents overpayments that survivors may have to repay later. The person who reports can be a family member, the executor of the estate, a caregiver, or anyone handling the person's affairs.

You have three ways to report: by phone, by mail, or through a representative. The fastest route is usually the phone, because you can confirm the report was received the same day. If you are handling the estate or managing bills, reporting early protects you from confusion with insurers and creditors.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report a death; have the person's Medicare number and date of death ready.
  • You can also mail a death certificate copy to the Social Security Administration, which notifies Medicare automatically.
  • Medicare stops paying claims after the date of death, so reporting prevents bills from being sent to the wrong person.
  • If the person had a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug coverage, contact that plan directly as well to stop future billing.
  • Survivors may receive a final check from Medicare or owe a refund, depending on what was paid after the death date.

Reporting by phone to Medicare directly

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell the representative that you are reporting a death. Have the person's Medicare number ready — it is on their Medicare card. You will also need the date of death. The representative will update the account and confirm that Medicare has stopped processing claims.

The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Ask the representative for the name and date of the call so you have a record. If you call after hours, you can leave a message with the person's name and Medicare number, and Medicare will follow up.

Reporting through the Social Security Administration

If you are reporting the death to Social Security (which you must do to stop benefit payments), Social Security will notify Medicare automatically. You do not need to call Medicare separately in this case. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death, or visit your local Social Security office in person.

Social Security typically notifies Medicare within one to two weeks. If you want to be certain Medicare knows, you can still call Medicare directly — there is no harm in reporting twice. Some families do both to avoid any gaps.

Reporting by mail with a death certificate

You can mail a certified copy of the death certificate to the Social Security Administration, which will forward the information to Medicare. Send it to your local Social Security office or to Social Security's national address (available at ssa.gov). Include a note with the person's name, Medicare number, and date of death.

Mailing takes longer than calling — typically two to four weeks for Medicare to receive and process the report. Use this method only if you cannot reach Medicare by phone or if you are already mailing documents to Social Security for other reasons.

Notifying Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans

If the person had a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO) or a separate prescription drug plan (Part D), contact that plan directly in addition to reporting to Medicare. The plan's customer service number is on the person's insurance card. Tell them the person has died and provide the date of death.

Plans need this information to stop sending bills and to process any claims that were pending. Some plans will refund premiums paid for months after the death. Ask the plan representative what happens next and whether you need to return the insurance card.

What happens after you report

Medicare will stop paying claims dated after the person's death. Any claims submitted for services after that date will be denied. If a provider or pharmacy submitted a claim before they knew about the death, Medicare may have already paid it — that payment is usually kept by the provider, not refunded.

If Medicare paid claims after the death date by mistake, the family may receive a notice asking for repayment. This is rare but can happen if claims were submitted late. Keep records of when you reported the death in case you need to dispute a bill.

Final payments and refunds

If the person paid premiums in advance or had a balance in a health savings account (HSA) linked to their Medicare plan, there may be a refund. Medicare will mail any refund to the address on file, usually within two to three months. The refund goes to the estate, not to an individual family member.

If the person owed money to Medicare or to a plan (for example, if they received a bill for a service they thought was covered), the estate may be responsible for paying it. Contact the plan or Medicare directly to ask about any outstanding balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not report the death right away?

Medicare will eventually learn about the death through Social Security or other records, but waiting can cause confusion. Claims may be processed after the death date, and you may receive bills or notices addressed to the deceased. Reporting within two months prevents most of these problems and protects the estate from unexpected bills.

Do I need the original death certificate to report to Medicare?

No. A certified copy is fine for reporting to Medicare by phone or mail. You do not need to send the original. Keep the original for the estate, insurance claims, and other official purposes.

What if the person had both Original Medicare and a Medigap policy?

Report the death to Medicare using the methods above. Also contact the Medigap insurance company directly — the policy number is on the Medigap card. The Medigap company will stop billing and may refund unused premiums.

Can I report the death online?

Medicare does not have an online form to report a death. You must call, mail documents, or report through Social Security. Calling 1-800-MEDICARE is the fastest option and gives you when ready confirmation.

Who gets the refund if there is one?

Any refund from Medicare goes to the estate of the deceased person, not to an individual family member. The executor or administrator of the estate handles the refund. If there is no formal estate, the refund may go to the person's bank account or require a claim from the family.