Enrolling in Railroad Medicare
Individuals who have worked for a minimum of 10 years in their railroad industry may pre-enroll or enroll in this plan. Enrollment forms, known as the EDI Enrollment Packet, are available from Palmetto GBA. Otherwise, eligibility standards are the same for those receiving Railroad Medicare as those receiving Medicare in the general population through the Social Security Administration. Individuals 65 years of age or older are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), at no cost if they are able to receive Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Individuals are also eligible for Railroad Medicare services if they are under 65 years of age and are suffering from permanent disabilities, or if a senior has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), or have been diagnosed with permanent kidney failure or if the senior receives occupational disability under certain circumstances.
Railroad Medicare – Understanding the Basics
Railroad Medicare is the name given to individuals receiving benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), whose benefits are designed for workers and family’s under the auspices of the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts.
Benefits are offered to individuals who have worked 10 or more years of railroad service. Retirement benefits for such employees are determined by the Retirement Board, while services, claims, benefits, eligibility and enrollment is provided through Railroad Medicare:
Palmetto GBA Railroad Medicare Part B P.O. Box 10066, Augusta, Georgia 30999.
Palmetto GBA has been offering these services in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for four decades and is the Part B carrier for RR Medicare throughout the nation, contracted by the Railroad Retirement Board for retirement/survivors, and unemployment/sickness benefit programs for workers and their families.
