Medicare After a Death: Reporting It, Premium Refunds, and Final Claims

When someone with Medicare dies, the funeral home usually reports the death to Social Security, which also handles it for Medicare. Social Security payments for the month of death and any later months must be returned. If Medicare premiums were paid for months after the death, the family or estate can ask for a refund using Form SSA-1724.

Who reports the death to Medicare?

Medicare.gov says that in most cases, the funeral home reports the death to Social Security. Give the funeral home the person's Social Security Number if you want them to make the report.

If no funeral home is involved, or you're not sure it was reported, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). USA.gov says Social Security accepts death reports only by phone or in person.

You don't need to report the death to Medicare separately.

What to say when you call Social Security:

"I'm calling to report the death of [name], Social Security Number [number], born [date], who died on [date]. They had Medicare. Can you tell me what happens to their benefits and Medicare premiums, and whether any payments need to be returned?"

What happens to the last Social Security payment?

USA.gov and Social Security explain that Social Security can't pay benefits for the month of death. Benefits are paid the month after they're due, so:

• If a parent died in July, the payment that arrives in August (for July) must be returned.
• For direct deposit, ask the bank to return any payment for the month of death or later.
• For a paper check, don't cash it. Return it to Social Security.

Social Security says certain family members may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits. A spouse might also get a one-time payment of $255. If there's no spouse, some children may be eligible.

What happens to Medicare premiums?

Part B premiums are often deducted from Social Security payments. If a payment for the month of death is returned, the premium tied to it is part of that.

If Medicare got premiums for months after the death, the federal rule at 42 CFR 408.112 says CMS refunds them. Social Security uses Form SSA-1724, "Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary," to decide who gets any money due.

According to Social Security:

• A Medicare premium refund may go to the person or organization that paid the premiums.
• If the person who died paid them, the refund goes first to the legal representative of the estate, then to certain family members in a set order.

If a state Medicare Savings Program paid the Part B premium, a refund would generally go back to that payer. See Medicare Savings Programs.

What about Medicare Advantage, drug plans, and Medigap?

• Medicare Advantage and Part D plans should be told too. Call the plan to report the death and ask about any premium paid in advance.
• Medigap policies are separate private insurance. Call the insurer, report the death, and ask about a refund of any unearned premium. Policies differ.
• Premiums paid by automatic bank draft should be stopped once the insurer confirms.

What to say to an insurer:

"I'm calling to report that [name], member ID [number], died on [date]. Please end the policy and tell me whether any premium paid after that date will be refunded, and to whom."

Will claims still come in after the death?

Yes. Doctors, hospitals, and other providers may send claims for care before the death for weeks or months. Medicare processes them as usual. Medicare Summary Notices may keep arriving.

What to watch on those notices:

• Services dated after the date of death. These shouldn't be there. Report them to the provider, and if it looks like fraud, to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). See Medicare fraud warning signs on your statements.
• Duplicate claims from the last hospital or hospice stay. See duplicate charges on a medical bill.
• Amounts more than "maximum you may be billed." See how to read your Medicare Summary Notice.

Keep the Medicare card and notices until the final claims are settled.

Can I talk to Medicare about the claims?

Medicare limits who can get a person's information after death. Usually that's someone with legal authority, like the executor. See how to get permission to talk to Medicare for a parent and medical bills after a parent dies, which also covers who's responsible for paying the bills.

A simple checklist

1. Make sure the funeral home reported the death, or call Social Security.
2. Return any Social Security payment for the month of death or later.
3. Ask Social Security about survivors' benefits and the $255 payment.
4. Call any Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans.
5. Stop automatic premium drafts once plans confirm.
6. Ask about premium refunds and complete Form SSA-1724 if Social Security asks for it.
7. Watch Medicare Summary Notices for services after the date of death.
8. Keep a folder of final bills and notices. See a simple filing system for medical bills.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to tell Medicare when someone dies?

Usually not separately. Medicare.gov says the funeral home typically reports the death to Social Security, which handles it for Medicare.

Does the last Social Security payment have to be returned?

Yes, for the month of death and any later months. Social Security can't pay benefits for the month of death.

How do I get a refund of Medicare premiums?

Social Security uses Form SSA-1724 to decide who receives amounts due, including Medicare premium refunds.

What if a bill shows a service after the date of death?

Ask the provider to correct it. If it looks like fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Sort out a parent's final bills

Bill Review Coach is a monthly medical bill review service for seniors and their families. Upload your first bill free, no card needed. Snap a photo of a final bill and the Medicare notice, and you'll get back a plain-English summary of what looks off and what to ask. Refer a friend and you both get a free month once they join the paid plan. You make the calls and write the emails; we help you know what to say.