Helping a Parent with Medicare? Start Here

What's actually happening

Caregivers face a different problem than the person turning 65.

You don't need to become a Medicare expert. You need three things, in order: permission to help, a clear picture of what they already have, and a short list of what genuinely matters. Get those, and most of the rest becomes a series of small, doable calls.

Before you change anything

Gather these six things first.

Tick them off as you find them — your progress is saved on this device. Don't make a single coverage change until you can see the whole picture.

The starter folder 0 of 6 found

✓Their red-white-and-blue Medicare card (and the Medicare number on it)
✓Any plan ID cards — Advantage, Part D drug plan, or a Supplement
✓A current list of their medications, with doses
✓A list of the doctors and pharmacies they actually use
✓Any letters from Medicare or their plan in the last six months
✓Their Medicare.gov login, if they have one — or a note that they don't

Kept on your device only. Nothing here is uploaded or saved to The Clearing.

What you're allowed to do

Some of this you can do today. Some needs their written OK.

You can do this today

With them in the room

Sit together and read their mail and cards
Build the list of doctors, drugs, and plans
Help them dial — as long as they're on the line to say yes
Use the public, no-login tools together

This needs their written OK first

Acting on their behalf

Speak to Medicare or a plan without them present
Log into their Medicare.gov account
Make or change their coverage
Get claims or health details from a provider (HIPAA)

Get the authorization forms → CMS-10106 and CMS-1696 — hosted on The Clearing, sourced from CMS.gov. Free, no account needed.

Not sure what to ask first?

Describe what's happening with your parent or partner. Fern sorts what matters and tells you what to verify next. Not a sales tool. Not a plan picker.

Talk it through with Fern →

How do I get permission to speak to their plan?

What should I ask a hospital discharge planner?

Mom is moving to assisted living in another state — what changes?

Are you the one turning 65? This page is for the helper — start with your own situation instead.

Go to "I'm turning 65" →

A SHIP counselor can walk through this with you and your parent together — free, federally funded, no plans to sell. Check BenefitsCheckUp to see if they qualify for Extra Help or other assistance programs.

Not sure where to go next?

You can ask Fern a question in plain language, find the path that fits your situation, or get the Sunday Letter — one note a week, no pressure.

Ask Fern → Find your starting point →

Not ready to dive in? Get the Sunday Letter · Read the first chapter free

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