Medicare Changes

      A notice from Social Security to attorneys who represent claimants before the agency:

Changes to Medicare Eligibility Requirements

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Dear Colleague,

We are sharing important information about changes to Medicare eligibility under Section 71201 of Public Law 119-21.

Under this law, an individual may be entitled to or enrolled for Medicare only if they are:

• U.S. citizens or nationals;
• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
• Cuban-Haitian entrants; or
• Compacts of Free Association migrants.

These changes do not affect Social Security benefit eligibility or payment rules.

What Your Clients Should Know

This week, we will begin:

• Applying the new requirements to Medicare applications and enrollments.
• Notifying current beneficiaries whose eligibility we cannot confirm that their Medicare coverage may end February 1, 2027, unless they establish eligibility within the applicable timeframe.

How You Can Help

Please encourage your clients who receive a notice to:

• Read it carefully to understand how the changes may affect their coverage.
• Respond by the deadline provided and follow the instructions for providing evidence of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.

Clients may submit evidence through their personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount by selecting “Upload Documents,” or bring documents to a local Social Security office. For assistance, they may also call 1-844-507-7131(U.S.) or 855-522-6939 (outside the U.S.).

Individuals who later obtain an eligible immigration status may apply for Medicare at that time, subject to other applicable eligibility requirements.

Visit our webpage to learn more.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Please share this information with your clients, members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.

Sincerely,

Nick Perrine

Chief Communications Officer