Medicare Videos, Forms and Resources
These videos are for educational purposes. Watch, download the form you need, or bring your questions to Viola and she will review your unique situation.
Watch: Medicare in a few minutes
The official Get Started with Medicare series from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare forms you may need
-
CMS-40B: Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B
Use it to sign up for Part B, including during a Special Enrollment Period after group health coverage based on current employment ends.
Download from the official site -
CMS-L564: Request for Employment Information
Proof of group health coverage based on current employment. Your employer fills in the coverage and employment dates, and it goes in with your Part B application.
Download from the official site -
SSA-44: Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, Life-Changing Event
If your Part B or drug premium includes IRMAA and a life-changing event such as retirement has lowered your income, this asks Social Security to use the newer income.
Download from the official site
Not sure which form applies to you? Call (480) 300-5776 before you mail anything; a wrong form can delay coverage.
Official help and our guides
- Medicare & You 2027 handbookThe official government handbook, mailed each fall and available online.
- Medicare Plan FinderCompare every plan in your ZIP code on Medicare.gov.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)Medicare itself, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY 1-877-486-2048.
- Social Security: sign up for MedicareApply for Parts A and B online at ssa.gov.
- Arizona SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
- AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid for eligible Arizonans.
- HealthCare.govThe official Marketplace Arizona uses for individual and family health plans.
Resource questions
What form do I need to sign up for Part B after my employer coverage ends?
Usually the CMS-40B application together with the CMS-L564, which your employer completes to show your group coverage dates.
How do I lower my IRMAA after I retire?
File form SSA-44 with Social Security and include proof of the life-changing event, such as a retirement letter.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Arizona?
Arizona SHIP, run by the Department of Economic Security, offers free and unbiased Medicare counseling. Viola is also happy to walk you through your options.
How do I get the Medicare & You 2027 handbook?
Medicare & You is the official government handbook. It is mailed to people with Medicare each fall, and you can also read or download it on Medicare.gov using the link on this page.
It is a good reference for the year ahead. If a section does not make sense for your situation, bring it to a review and we will go through it with you.
How do I sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B?
You can apply for Parts A and B online at ssa.gov, through the Social Security link on this page.
If you are signing up for Part B later because your employer coverage is ending, the CMS-40B and CMS-L564 forms above are usually the ones you need.
How can I see every Medicare plan in my ZIP code?
The Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov lets you compare every plan available in your ZIP code. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
If you would like someone to check your doctors and prescriptions against the plans we work with, Viola can do that with you at no cost.
Can I get help paying for Medicare in Arizona?
Possibly. AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, runs the Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid for eligible Arizonans. If you qualify, these programs can help with your Medicare costs.
The AHCCCS link on this page is the official place to start, and Arizona SHIP offers free counseling if you want help understanding your options.
Who made the Medicare videos on this page?
They are the official Get Started with Medicare series from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They cover the parts of Medicare, the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, your Initial Enrollment Period, and the Part B late enrollment penalty.
The videos are for educational purposes. Each one loads only when you tap it.
Which Medicare form do I need?
It depends on what you are trying to do. The CMS-40B signs you up for Part B, the CMS-L564 proves your employer group coverage, and the SSA-44 asks Social Security to lower an IRMAA charge after a life-changing event.
If you are not sure which applies to you, call (480) 300-5776 before you mail anything. A wrong form can delay your coverage, and we can help you work out which one fits.
We speak insurance, so you don't have to.
Book a free, no-pressure review with Viola in Chandler, by phone or by video. Bring your questions; leave with answers.
2160 North Alma School Road, Suite 102, Chandler, AZ 85224 (480) 300-5776