Glossary
Appointment of Representative
A signed form (CMS-1696) that authorizes another person — family member, attorney, or advocate — to file or pursue a Medicare appeal on your behalf.
Also known as: AOR, Form CMS-1696
Quick answer
CMS Form 1696 (Appointment of Representative) lets a Medicare beneficiary appoint someone else to handle an appeal. The appointment is valid for one year unless revoked or extended. Without an AOR on file, plans and CMS generally cannot share protected health information or accept appeal filings from the representative.
Why it matters
Spouses, adult children, and attorneys often help retirees navigate appeals — but they need formal authority. An AOR is the legal switch that turns that on.
Why this matters at age 65
A spouse caring for a retiree should put an AOR in place BEFORE a crisis, not during one. TRICARE has its own representative authorization form for TFL appeals.
When you'll encounter it
Whenever someone other than the beneficiary will file or follow up on an appeal.
Impact on Medicare
Required for representative-filed Medicare appeals.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TRICARE has its own designated-representative process; the CMS-1696 alone does not authorize TFL appeals.
Impact on Medicare Advantage
Plans require an AOR before accepting representative filings.
Common misconceptions
- "A power of attorney is automatically accepted." — Most plans still require CMS-1696 or their own representative form, even with a POA.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing the appeal first and submitting the AOR later — the plan may reject the filing.
- Letting the AOR expire mid-appeal.
What should I do?
- 1Complete and sign CMS-1696 in advance for your trusted helper.
- 2Send the AOR with every appeal filing as page one.
- 3Renew before the one-year expiration.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Common mistakes retired military make at 65 — and how to avoid themThe most expensive errors retired service members and spouses make during the Medicare and TFL transition, and the simple fixes for each.
- What is Medicare? A complete overview for retired militaryA plain-English, handbook-grounded overview of the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, written specifically for retired service members and their families.
- Understanding Original Medicare (Parts A & B) for veteransExactly what Part A and Part B cover, what they cost in 2026, and why both are required to keep TRICARE For Life.
- ReconsiderationAn appeal-level review — Level 1 in Medicare Advantage and Part D, or Level 2 in Original Medicare (handled by a Qualified Independent Contractor).
- RedeterminationThe first level of appeal in Original Medicare — filed with the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) that handled the claim.
- Benefit Period (Part A)The Part A timeframe used to measure hospital deductibles and coinsurance — it resets after 60 days out of the hospital.
- Billing ErrorsMistakes — accidental or intentional — on Medicare or TFL claims, ranging from duplicate charges to outright fraud.
- Claim AppealThe formal process for asking Medicare or TFL to reconsider a denied or underpaid claim.
- Coverage DecisionA formal decision by a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan about whether — and how — it will cover a service, item, or prescription.
- I'm turning 65. What should I do first?About 3 months before your 65th birthday, sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at SSA.gov. TRICARE For Life activates automatically once both are effective and DEERS is current.
- Do I need to cancel TRICARE Prime or Select when I turn 65?No. Prime and Select end automatically when you become Medicare-eligible. You don't have to take any action — and your Prime enrollment fee withholding stops.
- Do I need Medicare Part A if I have TRICARE?Yes. TFL requires Part A and Part B. Part A is typically premium-free if you or your spouse worked 40+ quarters paying Medicare taxes.
- How long does Medicare enrollment take to process?Most online applications are approved in 1–3 weeks. SSA mails the Medicare card within about 30 days of approval.
- Will my TRICARE end the day I turn 65?Your TRICARE Prime or Select ends, but TRICARE For Life replaces it automatically the same day — as long as you have Medicare Parts A and B in effect.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.