Applying for Medicare

I will be turning 65 soon, so I need to apply for Medicare.  I thought to do it on line, but had trouble signing onto MyAccount at the Social Security Administration website https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.  At first, I did not realize I had established an account (my bad) and could not recall my user name.  They sent me my user name, but then, of course, I could not recall my password, although I tried several common ones I use. Then, I tried to use the security questions, all of which I picked because they have concrete, definitive answers.  I was told those were incorrect. So, finally, SSA told me they would send me a letter that I would receive in 8-10 working days.  The letter came yesterday.  I did sign onto MyAccount, reset my password, and redid my security questions, but could not figure out about applying for Medicare.  So I signed off and went to FAQs about applying for Medicare.  I realized that I had a lot of questions that filing on line would not answer. 

So, this morning I called the SSA to make an appointment to file for Medicare.  Of course there was a wait.  I finally spoke to a representative who wanted to tell me about applying for Social Security benefits, although I clearly told her all I wanted was to apply for Medicare.  She finally told me there were no appointments available and they would call me back in 7 working days; if they did not, I should call back.

The representative wanted a phone number at which I would be readily available to talk to someone when they called, so they did not have to leave a message.  I explained that I work in a prison, and cannot bring my cell phone to work, which she said she put in the comments and read back to me. 

She provided me with a list of what I need to bring to the appointment, and wanted to know if my 2 marriages were 10 years.  So I asked her if that meant they were more than 10 years ago.  She explained that no, if I was married for 10 years, I might be eligible to benefits (I am assuming spousal benefits.)

I know these are overworked, possibly underpaid government employees, and they have certain things they have to do, but they are not automatons, and they can be responsive to their customers who pay their salary. 

If I do not hear from SSA by August 24, I will make it a point to go to the office early in the morning, and stay until I can talk to someone.  This is ridiculous, but frankly, not very different than some of my experiences as a social worker dealing with the SSA in the past.