Social Security wont allow my wifes part B medicare to take effect until I prove that she had health coverage in 2012.

Question

My wife is 11 years older than me and we have been married for 35 years. She has always been covered by healthcare insurance that I have paid for from employers that I have worked for. 
Now Social Security refuses to allow her Part B Medicare until she can prove that she had coverage in 2012 when she turned 65. 
We submitted a document to Social Security in 2012 which notified them that she was covered and was not requesting part B at that time. 
I have not worked for that employer since March of 2018 and have tried to contact the HR representative and have recieved no response. 
I worked there for 18+ years but have worked at a different employer for the last 5+ years. 
How can I get them to fill out the documents that Social Security demands if I cant get them to answer the phone and complete the paperwork? Social Security insists that they have to fill them out. 
My wife now has no Dr. Coverage  and we cant get Part D or supplemental policies until she has part B.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Here are a few options to try to resolve this with Social Security for your wife's Medicare Part B: 
 
1. Contact your former employer’s HR again, escalating to higher levels if needed. Explain it is vital they verify your wife's 2012 coverage. Check if they outsourced record storage - the external company may still have files. 
 
2. Check if you have any old documentation - tax records, pay stubs, annual enrollment forms etc. showing your wife was covered under that employer's plan in 2012. Anything helps bolster the case. 
 
3. Ask Social Security if an affidavit signed by you explaining the good faith efforts you made and attesting under oath to your wife's 2012 coverage would suffice. Offer details on the plan, coverage dates etc. 
 
4. Contact the Department of Labor for guidance if the former employer is unresponsive about verifying past employment records. There may be applicable labor regulations. 
 
5. Reach out to any former manager or colleagues at the company who may be willing to advocate to HR on your behalf in getting the issue resolved.  
 
6. Consider consulting an attorney who works in healthcare/Medicare issues for guidance if you continue to hit walls. An advocate could help put pressure on or try alternate routes. 
 
Be politely persistent explaining the hardship created for your wife. I hope one of these suggestions helps convince them to validate her prior coverage.

Q: Social Security wont allow my wifes part B medicare to take effect until I prove that she had health coverage in 2012.