If an individual filing for HI only (or the person on whose record is filing) has:
-
•
120 months of RR service; or
-
•
after 12/31/95, has at least 60 months but less than 120 months of RR service,
forward the application and related development to RRB, Bureau of Retirement Claims,
Health Insurance Operations, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611 for a
determination whether the individual is eligible for an RRB annuity. When making such
a referral:
-
•
Annotate the transmitting cover sheet as “QRRB Filing for Medicare Only.”
-
•
Send the claimant a letter patterned after the following:
“This refers to your claim for hospital insurance under Medicare. If an individual
is eligible for benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railroad Retirement
Board is responsible for processing that person's hospital insurance claim. This is
true even if the Railroad employee had enough Railroad employment and work under Social
Security to be insured under both programs. Since (enter “you” or, if the claimant is filing on another person's account, the insured
worker's name) had enough Railroad earnings to be insured under the Railroad Retirement
Act, we are forwarding your claim to the Railroad Retirement Board so that they may
determine whether you are eligible for a Railroad Retirement annuity. If you are,
that agency will process your claim for hospital insurance entitlement. If you are
not, your claim will be returned to us for a determination based on social security
earnings alone. The Railroad Retirement Board will advise you of the action they take
on your claim.”
If the individual is not eligible for an RRB annuity and RRB returns the claim to
the SSA FO, make a determination of HI eligibility based on title II benefit eligibility,
and award or deny the claim as appropriate.