Step one: the right permission
| To do this | You need |
|---|---|
| Talk with Medicare about your parent's claims or coverage | Your parent's verbal permission on the call, or the Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information (CMS-10106) |
| File an appeal or complaint for your parent | Appointment of Representative (CMS-1696) |
| Talk with your parent's Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | The plan's own authorization form; call Member Services |
| Manage Social Security or SSI benefits | Appointment by Social Security as representative payee |
| Make health care decisions | A Florida designation of health care surrogate (Fla. Stat. 765.202) |
| Handle money and property | A Florida durable power of attorney (Fla. Stat. chapter 709) |
Florida's documents
A designation of health care surrogate is signed before two adult witnesses; the surrogate can't be a witness, and at least one witness must be neither your parent's spouse nor a blood relative. The surrogate normally acts once a doctor finds your parent lacks capacity, but the document can say the surrogate may act, or receive health information, right away (Fla. Stat. 765.202, 765.204). A power of attorney must be signed by your parent and two witnesses and acknowledged before a notary (Fla. Stat. 709.2105). Many families sign both while a parent can still decide.
What you can do this month
- Make a Medicare.gov account together. You'll see Original Medicare claims as soon as they're processed, which helps if you live in another state.
- Check next year's coverage. Open Enrollment runs through December 7, 2026. Make sure your parent's doctors and drugs are covered for 2027, and see plans ending in 2027 if a letter says the plan is ending.
- Look for help with costs. DCF takes applications for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs through ACCESS Florida, (850) 300-4323. See Medicare Savings Programs in Florida.
- Plan for long-term care. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. See Florida Medicaid long-term care.
- Know who protects residents. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (1-888-831-0404) helps nursing home and assisted living residents; report abuse, neglect or exploitation to the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873.
Tip: If your parent is a Florida state retiree, check with State Group Insurance before joining or dropping any Medicare plan. See Florida state retirees and Medicare.
Meeting an agent together
A licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life can meet with you and your parent and explain plans from the companies they work with. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
How do I appeal a hospital discharge?
When a parent isn't ready to leave.
Why so many Medicare calls?
Protecting a parent from pressure.
How do I check an agent's license?
Before you meet.
More in helping a parent with Medicare.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Contact Medicare (CMS-10106)
- CMS — Form CMS-1696, Appointment of Representative
- Social Security — Representative payee FAQs
- Fla. Stat. 765.202 — Designation of a health care surrogate
- Fla. Stat. 765.204 — Capacity of principal
- Fla. Stat. 765.401 — The proxy
- Fla. Stat. 709.2105 — Execution of power of attorney
- Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
More questions in this guide
- How do I check if a Medicare insurance agent is licensed in Florida?
- How do I file a complaint against a Medicare insurance agent in Florida?
- How do I appeal a hospital discharge in Florida if I'm not ready to go home?
- How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Florida?
- Why do I get so many calls to change my Medicare plan?
Part of the guide: Florida Medicare contacts · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a power of attorney let me talk to Medicare?
Don't count on it. The simplest route is your parent's verbal permission on the call or a signed CMS-10106 form, which Medicare also offers in Spanish. If you hold a power of attorney, ask 1-800-MEDICARE what documents it needs to see before it will work with you.
Can I help my parent choose a Medicare plan?
Yes. You can sit in on calls, compare plans together on Medicare.gov, or meet with a licensed insurance agent together. Your parent makes the final choice and signs the enrollment, unless you're their legal representative.
What if my parent can no longer decide and never named anyone?
Florida law lets a proxy make health care decisions, in a set order: a court-appointed guardian, then the spouse, then a majority of the adult children who are available, then parents, siblings and others (Fla. Stat. 765.401). For money and property, talk with a Florida attorney about guardianship.
Who manages my parent's Social Security check?
Only a representative payee appointed by Social Security. A power of attorney isn't enough. Call 1-800-772-1213 to start the process.
Medicare in your Florida county
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