Where do I mail my Medicare payment?

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Mail your standard Medicare premium payments to the Medicare Premium Collection Center at PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.

Standard Medicare Payments (CMS)

  • Payee Name: CMS Medicare Insurance
  • Mailing Address:
    Medicare Premium Collection Center
    PO Box 790355
    St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
  • Important: Include your payment coupon or write your 11-character Medicare Number on your check or money order.

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Payments

If you get your premium bill from the Railroad Retirement Board, mail your payment to a different address:

  • Mailing Address:
    RRB, Medicare Premium Payments
    P.O. Box 979024
    St. Louis, MO 63197-9000

Where to mail CMS Medicare payments?

Mail standard Medicare premium payments (Part A, Part B, or Part D IRMAA) to the Medicare Premium Collection Center.

Mailing Address

  • Payee Name: CMS Medicare Insurance
  • Address:
    Medicare Premium Collection Center
    P.O. Box 790355
    St. Louis, MO 63179-0355

Important Rules for Mailing

  • Include the coupon: Tear off the payment coupon from the bottom of your Medicare Premium Bill (CMS-500) and include it in the envelope.
  • Write your Medicare number: Clearly write your Medicare Number on your check or money order.
  • One per envelope: Send only one payment and one coupon per envelope.
  • Do not send cash: Pay only by check, money order, credit card, debit card, or HSA card filled out on the coupon.

How do I send a bill to Medicare for payment?

You can send a bill or request reimbursement for medical care by completing and mailing the Patient's Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S) along with your itemized bill to your state's Medicare Administrative Contractor.

Steps to Submit a Claim

  • Get the form: Download and print the CMS-1490S form or pick one up at a local Social Security office.
  • Gather an itemized bill: Make sure the bill from your doctor or supplier shows the date of service, place of service, description of each item or treatment, and the specific charges.
  • Write an explanation letter: Include a short letter explaining why you are filing the claim yourself (for example, if the doctor refused or is not enrolled in Medicare).
  • Mail the documents: Send copies of the completed form, your itemized bill, and supporting letters to your state's assigned Medicare contractor. Note: Medicare does not accept online claim submissions from patients.
  • Time limit: You must file the claim within 12 months (1 year) of the date you received the service.

Does Medicare have a mailing address?

Yes, Medicare has a general mailing address for contact center operations, though specific paperwork or claims are often routed through regional contractors or the Social Security Administration.

  • General Mailing Address:
    Medicare Contact Center Operations
    P.O. Box 1270
    Lawrence, KS 66044
  • Alternative Support: For most personal inquiries, claims questions, or immediate assistance, it is faster to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or log into your account at Medicare.gov.

What address do I send my Medicare payment?

Mail your Medicare payment and coupon to the Medicare Premium Collection Center at PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.

📌 Payment Mailing Details

  • Payee name: CMS Medicare Insurance
  • Mailing address: Medicare Premium Collection Center, PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355
  • Requirements: Sign your payment coupon or the payment will be returned.
  • Include: Your 11-character Medicare number on the check or money order.

How To Pay Your Medicare Part B Premium

9 related questions found

Is CMS medicare the same as Medicare?

No, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is not the same thing as Medicare, but they are closely related.

The Difference Between CMS and Medicare

  • CMS is the federal government agency (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) that manages and oversees several public healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can learn more about the agency on the official Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
  • Medicare is the specific federal health insurance program itself, which provides coverage for people age 65 and older, as well as younger people with certain disabilities.

How They Work Together

  • Administration: CMS administers, regulates, and sets the rules for Medicare.
  • Resources: While CMS handles the federal oversight and operational guidelines, individual benefit details and enrollment tools for patients are typically found on the official Medicare site.

What are the common mistakes in Medicare billing?

Common mistakes in Medicare billing include incorrect patient or insurance data, coding errors like upcoding, and duplicate charges.

Top Medicare Billing Errors

  • Incorrect Patient/Policy Details: Typos in a patient's name, birth date, or errors using the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) or outdated numbers like the HICN.
  • Coding Errors (Upcoding or Downcoding): Using wrong CPT or HCPCS procedure codes, or exaggerating the level of service provided.
  • Duplicate Billing: Submitting a claim or charging twice for the exact same service or item.
  • Lack of Medical Necessity Documentation: Failing to provide clear medical records or notes that prove a test or treatment meets Medicare coverage rules.
  • Primary Payer Confusion: Sending a claim to Medicare first when the patient has another active primary insurance, such as group health coverage.
  • Unrendered Services: Accidentally billing for procedures, tests, or visits that the patient never received.
  • Missed Deadlines: Missing strict submission or appeal timeframes set by Medicare.

How long do I have to submit a bill to Medicare?

The Medicare Timely Filing Guidelines require providers to submit Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) claims within 12 months (one calendar year) of the date of service.

Key Billing and Payment Deadlines

  • Provider Claim Submission: Must reach the Medicare contractor no later than 12 calendar months from the service date, or the claim is denied and the revenue is permanently lost.
  • Premium Payment Due Date: If you receive a direct monthly bill for your Medicare Premium Bill (CMS-500), your payment must be received by the 25th of the month.
  • Medicare Advantage Plans: Private plans often enforce much shorter internal filing windows for medical providers, typically ranging from 90 to 120 days.

How to bill for Medicare?

To bill Medicare as a healthcare provider, you must submit claims electronically through your regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) using HIPAA-compliant software or standard electronic transactions.

If you are a patient looking to request payment for a service, visit the official Medicare Claims Information Page.

Step-by-Step Provider Billing Process

  • Get an NPI: Obtain a unique National Provider Identifier (NPI).
  • Enroll in Medicare: Complete the provider enrollment process through your regional MAC.
  • Set up EDI: Enroll in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to submit electronic claims. Use transaction 837P (professional/CMS-1500 form) or 837I (institutional/UB-04 form).
  • Use Correct Codes: Include accurate CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, ICD-10 diagnosis codes, dates of service, and place of service codes.
  • Submit Timely: File claims within 12 months (one full calendar year) of the date of service to avoid late denials.

What is the grace period for Medicare payment for seniors?

The grace period for Medicare premium payments depends on whether you have Original Medicare or a private plan like Medicare Advantage or Part D.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

  • Duration: There is a 90-day (3-month) grace period for manually billed Part B premiums.
  • Details: If you do not have your premiums automatically deducted from Social Security and miss a direct bill, you have up to 90 days from the due date to pay the balance before your coverage is terminated.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Prescription Plans

  • Duration: Private plans must provide a grace period of at least 2 calendar months (some plans may offer longer).
  • Details: The plan must send a written notice of non-payment. If you do not pay the past-due amount by the end of the two-month grace period, you will be disenrolled from the plan.