Medicare Blog

how does medicare helpline work

by Chelsie Emmerich Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The Medicare Helpline is an online marketplace where users can compare price quotes for different Medicare plans and supplemental insurance. A subsidiary of Tiburon Insurance Services, it is a licensed and certified representative of a Medicare Advantage organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract.

The Medicare Coverage Hotline is a private for profit lead generation campaign and does not offer insurance and is not an insurance agency or broker. Your call is sold to a licensed insurance agent to give you information about your Medicare Advantage Plans.Apr 25, 2021

Full Answer

What is the Medicare helpline?

Oct 03, 2018 · The Medicare Helpline is an online marketplace where users can compare price quotes for different Medicare plans and supplemental insurance. A subsidiary of Tiburon Insurance Services, it is a licensed and certified representative of a Medicare Advantage organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract.

What is Medicare and how does it work?

Jun 29, 2017 · With heath care uncertainty front and center in the news of late, an advertisement by the Medicare Coverage Helpline alerting consumers about extra benefits, such as hearing, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, certainly sparks interest.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan?

The Medicare Helpline is a licensed and certified representative of a Medicare Advantage [HMO, PPO and PFFS] organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.

What are the extra benefits of Medicare coverage?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) A type of Medicare-approved health plan from a private company that you can choose to cover most of your Part A and Part B benefits instead of Original Medicare. It usually also includes drug coverage (Part D). Refer to Medicare glossary for more details. for your health coverage.

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Is the Medicare helpline affiliated with Medicare?

The Medicare Coverage Helpline has no ties to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the government agency that oversees Medicare.Dec 13, 2021

Who is the best person to talk to about Medicare?

You can make an appointment with a Social Security representative at your local office by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227. Finally, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free counseling and education to help you choose coverage.

Why am I getting so many calls about Medicare?

Phone calls Sometimes, they're selling phony products such as supplemental or prescription drug Medicare plans. The whole purpose of all of these calls is to obtain your personal information, whether that is your Medicare card number, your Social Security number, or banking information.

Does Medicare cover dental?

Dental services Medicare doesn't cover most dental care (including procedures and supplies like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices). Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

What are the 4 types of Medicare?

There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

Does Medicare ever call your home?

Medicare will never call you! Medicare may need information from you or may need to reach you; but, they'll NEVER call. You'll get a letter that will notify you of the necessary information that Medicare needs. Long story short, if the calls you're receiving claim to be from Medicare, it's a spam call.

Should I give my Medicare number over the phone?

Don'ts. Don't share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text or email or shows up unannounced at your door. Don't send or give your old Medicare card to anyone.

Is it safe to give out your Medicare number?

Treat your Medicare card like it's a credit card. Don't ever give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare provider. Never give your Medicare Number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other free offer. Dishonest providers will use your numbers to get payment for services they never delivered.

What does Medicare Part B cover?

Medicare Part B helps cover most medically necessary doctors’ services, preventive care, lab tests, x-rays and some health and ambulance services. You pay a monthly premium for Part B. *If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years).

How old do you have to be to enroll in Medicare?

How Do I Enroll in Medicare? Well, it varies based on your circumstances. However, anyone turning 65, or who is under 65 and qualifi es on the basis of disability or other special situation may enroll.

Does Medicare cover hospice?

Medicare Part A helps cover most medically necessary hospital care, skilled nursing care facility care, nursing home care, hospice and home health services. There is a monthly premium for Part A, but many people will qualify for premium-free Part A*.

What is Medicare Advantage Plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan includes all the benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, working in place of them.

How does Original Medicare work?

Original Medicare covers most, but not all of the costs for approved health care services and supplies. After you meet your deductible, you pay your share of costs for services and supplies as you get them.

How does Medicare Advantage work?

Medicare Advantage bundles your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D coverage into one plan. Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, and dental services.

What happens if you go out of network with Medicare?

If they go out of network, the costs can be astronomical. Once a person is very ill, the co-pays and co-insurance and deductibles and drug costs under Medicare Advantage can be horrendous. It is then that many seek to get better coverage by returning to traditional Medicare.

Does Medicare Advantage have a monthly premium?

They also claim to offer a number of additional benefits.”. She said the main advantage for a senior who enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan “is that there may be no monthly premium and the person may not have to pay the $144 monthly that is deducted from Social Security for Part B.”.

What is Medicare for?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for: 1 People who are 65 or older 2 Certain younger people with disabilities 3 People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

What is a medicaid supplement?

A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also cover services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S.

What is deductible in Medicare?

deductible. The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or your other insurance begins to pay. at the start of each year, and you usually pay 20% of the cost of the Medicare-approved service, called coinsurance.

Does Medicare Advantage cover vision?

Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, dental, and more. Medicare Advantage Plans have yearly contracts with Medicare and must follow Medicare’s coverage rules. The plan must notify you about any changes before the start of the next enrollment year.

Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

Medicare drug coverage helps pay for prescription drugs you need. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage (this includes Medicare drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with drug coverage).

What is the standard Part B premium for 2020?

The standard Part B premium amount in 2020 is $144.60. If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount, you'll pay the standard premium amount and an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). IRMAA is an extra charge added to your premium.

Do you pay Medicare premiums if you are working?

You usually don't pay a monthly premium for Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called "premium-free Part A."

What is Medicare Supplement?

A Medicare Supplement plan fills the "gaps" that exist in Original Medicare. Unless your employer or a union pays the healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn't pay, you may want to purchase a Medigap policy. Private insurance companies sell Medicare Supplement insurance plans.

When does Medicare start?

Starts three months before the month you turn 65; Includes the month that you turned 65 ; or. Ends three months after the month that you turn 65. With Original Medicare, you will be able to go to any doctor, healthcare provider, hospital, or facility that's enrolled in Medicare and accepts new Medicare patients.

What does Medicare Part B cover?

Enroll in or already have Part B. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care for certain doctors and preventive healthcare services. Part B also covers: Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Ambulance services. Mental health services for inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization care.

What happens if you don't sign up for Medicare?

Railroad Retirement Board Benefit. Office of Personnel Management Benefit. If you don't get these benefit payments, Medicare will send you a monthly bill. Note that if you don't sign up for Medicare Part B at the beginning of your eligibility, you will have to pay a penalty for late enrollment.

When is the best time to sign up for Medicare Supplement?

The best time to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan is during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which is October 15 through December 7 each year. Otherwise, you might have to pay more for your policy. Jackie Trovato is a healthcare and legal writer with nearly 40 years of experience.

Does Medicare cover medical supplies?

If you want to obtain healthcare services or supplies that Medicare doesn't cover. If so, you'll have to pay for them. Whether you are covered by health insurance that works with Medicare. Whether or not you have Medicaid or the state helps to pay for your Medicare costs.

Do you have to pay Medicare premiums?

Most people won't have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. This is because either they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes in their working years. Those who have to pay a premium for Part A won't automatically get Medicare when they turn 65. These people must:

What is Medicare Supplement?

Medicare supplement insurance policies help fill in the gaps left by Original Medicare health care insurance. For many people, Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, insurance helps them economically by paying some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.

How old do you have to be to qualify for medicare?

To be eligible for Medicare, you must be at least 65 years old, a citizen of the United States or permanent legal resident for at least five consecutive years. Also, you, or your spouse, must have worked and paid federal taxes for at least ten years (or 40 quarters).

Does Medicare cover long term care?

Most plans do not cover long-term care, vision, dental, hearing care, or private nursing care. All Medicare Supplement insurance coverage comes with a monthly premium which you pay directly to your provider. How much you pay depends on which plan you have.

Does Medicare Supplement cover prescriptions?

They only cover one person per plan. If you want coverage for your spouse, you must purchase a separate plan. These plans also do not include prescription drug coverage.

Does Medicare Supplement pay for coinsurance?

Most supplement plans pay for Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. But the coverage may vary according to the plan you choose. Medicare Supplement plans work together with Original Medicare. First, Medicare pays for a percentage, usually 80 percent, of the Medicare-approved cost of your health care service.

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