How Do I Report a Death to Medicare or Social Security?

There’s a lot to do when a loved one passes away. Along with the emotional aspects of dealing with the loss, there are several arrangements that must be made within the first few days.

One of your first tasks should be contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) and reporting the death to Medicare. Here’s what you need to know.

When a loved one passes away, you should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. Reporting a death to the SSA will end Social Security benefits, and can initiate a lump sum death benefit payment.

Wondering how to notify Social Security of a death? In many cases, your funeral home can report a death to Social Security on your behalf. The funeral director will fill out a Statement of Death form and submit it to the SSA. Just give the funeral home the deceased’s Social Security number, and they’ll make sure the paperwork gets done.

You can also contact the SSA directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your nearest Social Security office to report a death. Make sure you have your loved one’s Social Security number on hand, as well as their date of birth. To avoid fraud and ensure the process is handled through Social Security, report death in these two ways only; you cannot report a death online. 

How do I apply for the lump sum death benefit?

The SSA provides a one-time death benefit of $255, paid to the surviving spouse or to the deceased’s children. You can’t apply online, so call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local SSA office.

You’ll need to provide your Social Security number and the deceased’s Social Security number. You may need to provide some additional documents, such as a birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship, or a death certificate.

The Social Security Administration oversees Medicare. So, when you report a death to the SSA, Medicare is notified automatically. This ends Original Medicare coverage and cancels any automatic Medicare premium payments that may be scheduled. Notifying Medicare about the death will also prevent Medicare fraud and abuse.

Medicare deceased estate

If Medicare withdraws any premiums after the date of death, the payment will be reimbursed to the estate.

If the deceased had a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), or a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan, contact the plan provider directly. Reporting a death to the SSA doesn’t cancel these other Medicare-related plans.

You’ll need to contact the plan provider and let them know you’d like to report a death. Look for the plan provider’s contact information on the deceased’s insurance cards. If you don’t know what coverage your loved one had, you can check their bank statements for any recurring Medicare payments.

When you call the Medicare plan provider, have your loved one’s Medicare number on hand. The plan provider will let you know if there are any additional steps. For example, you may need to submit proof of death, such as a death certificate or an obituary.

Medicare notification of death form

To report a death to Medicare, you don’t need to fill out a form. To notify Medicare about a death, call Social Security directly or visit your local SSA office in person. To report a death to a Part C or Part D provider, call the plan provider directly.

Most funeral home directors can notify Social Security on your behalf. They can complete a statement of death form and submit this form to the SSA to report the death.

It is the executor’s legal responsibility to cancel Medicare after a death. But in most cases, the funeral home will offer to notify the SSA so you’ll have one less thing to think about.

When a Medicare beneficiary passes away, it’s important to cancel Medicare as soon as possible. Otherwise, Medicare may continue to bill the deceased for monthly premiums. 

You will still need to contact other Medicare providers to cancel Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plans.

When a person dies, do I need to return Social Security benefits?

If the deceased receives Social Security benefits, check the date on all payments received after their death. Benefits received for the month of death or any months after must be returned to Social Security. For example, if a person passes away in April, they are not eligible for benefits in April. The check that arrives in May is payment for April, so that check must be returned.

If the deceased received benefits by check, do not deposit any checks received after their death. If benefits are directly deposited to their bank, the full amount will need to be returned.