questions to ask when going on medicare

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If you . . .	Contact . . .
Want to: Enroll in Medicare Part A (Hos ...	Social Security 1-800-772-1213 TTY: 1-80 ...
Have a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, ...	Your plan or policy The phone number and ...
Have railroad retirement benefits and wa ...	The Railroad Retirement Board Your local ...
Want to report changes to insurance that ...	Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center ...

Full Answer

Where to get answeres to your Medicare questions.?

Medicare Eligibility, Applications and Appeals

• What help is available? ...
• Am I eligible? ...
• How do I apply? ...
• How do I check the status of my application? ...
• How do I complain or appeal a Medicare decision? ...
• Who do I contact for extra help? ...
• Is there anything else I need to know? ...

How to contact Medicare for questions?

How to prepare for a call to Medicare

• Your Medicare card and claim paperwork. When you call Medicare, have information ready that your agent will request. ...
• Pen and paper. Make sure to have a pen and paper handy whenever you call Medicare. ...
• Ask a friend or family member to listen in. Remember that you can always request to have information sent to you in writing at the end of your call.

What do you really need to know about Medicare?

• Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
• Routine vision care
• Routine hearing care
• Routine dental care
• Gym membership and/or other wellness programs

What are good health insurance questions to ask?

Insurance companies cannot:

• Prevent you from donating all or part of an organ as a condition to buy or continue to keep a policy.
• Discriminate against you when offering or issuing, or cancelling a policy solely based on your status as a living organ donor.
• Charge you more for your policy or change the amount of your coverage due to your status as living organ donor.

What do I need to know before getting Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You're first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease).

What are two major problems with respect to the future of Medicare?

Financing care for future generations is perhaps the greatest challenge facing Medicare, due to sustained increases in health care costs, the aging of the U.S. population, and the declining ratio of workers to beneficiaries.

What are the weaknesses of Medicare?

Disadvantages of Medicare AdvantageLimited service providers. If you choose one of the more popular Medicare Advantage plan types, such as an HMO plan, you may be limited in the providers you can see. ... Complex plan offerings. ... Additional costs for coverage. ... State-specific coverage.

Do you have questions about Medicare?

Do you have questions about your Medicare coverage? 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can help. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

What does Medicare Part D provide?

The Medicare Part D program provides an outpatient prescription drug benefit to older adults and people with long-term disabilities in Medicare who enroll in private plans, including stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs) to supplement traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PDs) ...

What is the key long run problem of the both Social Security and Medicare?

Social Security and Medicare both face long-term financing shortfalls under currently scheduled benefits and financing. Both programs will experience cost growth substantially in excess GDP growth during through the mid-2030s due to rapid population aging.

Is it necessary to have supplemental insurance with Medicare?

For many low-income Medicare beneficiaries, there's no need for private supplemental coverage. Only 19% of Original Medicare beneficiaries have no supplemental coverage. Supplemental coverage can help prevent major expenses.

What are the top 3 Medicare Advantage plans?

Best Medicare Advantage Providers RatingsProviderForbes Health RatingsCMS ratingHumana5.03.6Blue Cross Blue Shield5.03.8Cigna4.53.8United Healthcare4.03.81 more row•Feb 25, 2022

What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.

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 coverage start the month you turn 65?

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

What is covered by Medicare?

The health care items or services covered under a health insurance plan. Covered benefits and excluded services are defined in the health insurance plan's coverage documents. Original Medicare doesn't cover, like vision, hearing, dental, or prescription drug coverage? (You may have to pay more for these extra benefits.)

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs?

These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare drug plans. . Contact the plan if you don't find these answers in its publications or on its website.

What is Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C is a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans sometimes have a $0 per month premiums, and many of them include Part D drug coverage. However, there are some pitfalls to Medicare Advantage plans that you need to know before signing up.

What happens if you don't pay Medicare?

But, if you don’t pay the premium on a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, they can drop you. Also, if you don’t pay your Part D premium, the drug plan can drop you. Usually, they give multiple notices before the plan terminates your policy.

What is a medicaid supplement?

A Medigap plan is a supplemental option for Medicare. Medigap plans are also Medicare Supplement plans; these policies fill the gaps in Medicare. So, when Medicare would otherwise charge you 20% or a deductible, the Medicare Supplement could instead pick up the bill.

How many classes of drugs does Medicare cover?

There are many drugs covered under Medicare. Plus, every plan must cover the six protected classes. If you have medications that need coverage, use the Medicare plan finder tool to identify the policy that will cover your medications.

How long before Part B is effective?

You can pre-enroll in Medigap up to 6 months before the Part B effective date with some companies. But, many companies only allow you to pre-enroll 3 months before Part B effective date. The Open Enrollment Period for Medigap lasts for 6 months and begins the day your Part B is effective.

Is Medicare mandatory?

Of course, Medicare isn’t mandatory, so you can choose whichever option makes the most sense for your situation. You can also always consult your benefits administrator at the office where you work to identify your options.

Does Medicare pay less if you have a low income?

The cost of Medicare depends on many things. Those with a low income will likely pay less than the standard amount and may qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. Those with a higher income will likely pay more for Part B; this is called the Part B Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

What is Medicare Made Clear?

Medicare Made Clear is brought to you by UnitedHealthcare to help make understanding Medicare easier. Click here to take advantage of more helpful tools and resources from Medicare Made Clear including downloadable worksheets and guides.

What is the notice of creditable coverage for Medicare?

You’ll need a written notice of “creditable coverage” from the plan to qualify for a SEP and avoid late penalties. The notice certifies that the plan provides coverage at least as good as Medicare.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A coverage includes: 1 A semi-private room 2 Hospital meals 3 Skilled nursing services 4 Care on special units such as intensive care 5 Drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment used during your inpatient stay 6 Lab tests, X-rays and medical equipment when you’re an inpatient 7 Operating room and recovery room services 8 Some blood transfusions (in a hospital or skilled nursing facility) 9 Rehab services such as physical therapy received through home health care 10 Skilled health care in your home if you’re homebound and only need part-time care 11 Hospice care

How long do you have to enroll in Part B?

Answer: When you’re over 65 and retiring soon, getting Part B is fairly simple. If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (see question 2 above), you’ll have up to eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. If you don’t actually quality for an SEP, you will have a Part B late penalty. To get Part B, you will enroll directly with Social Security, which you can do online, in person or on the phone.

How long does Medicare last?

This period lasts seven months total, and includes the three months before the month you turn 65, the month in which you turn 65, and the three months after. If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you first become eligible for Medicare, then you’ll be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B ...

When do you have to retire to get Medicare?

Answer: If you retire or lose employer coverage before age 65, you’ll need other health coverage until you reach Medicare eligibility age and have your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period. If you are 65 or older when you retire or lose employer coverage, you may qualify for what is called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Is Medicare mandatory?

Answer: No. Medicare is not mandatory. But even though you're not required to get Medicare, if you do decide to enroll after your Initial Enrollment Period and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you could face late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C or Part D.

How much is IRMAA?

IRMAA – which is the income-related monthly adjustment to Part B premiums – starts at $88,000 in MAGI for individuals or $176,000 MAGI for couples filing jointly. The majority of people pay the $148.50/month that is the standard Part B premium. That’s just for Medicare itself.

What color is Medicare card?

When you go to the doctor, you present your red, white and blue Medicare card in addition to your Medigap card. The provider files the claims to Medicare, which pays its portion and coordinates the payment from the supplemental (Medigap) company.

How much is Medicare Part B 2021?

For Medicare Part B, the standard premium (for 2021) is $148.50/month. This premium can change over time. Also, people in higher/lower income brackets can pay different amounts. For a resource on people in higher income brackets and how much they pay, read about IRMAA.

When will Medicare show up in mailbox?

It will just show up in your mailbox one day about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If that situation applies to you, there’s nothing else you need to do with Medicare itself – your next step is to pick a Medigap plan and Part D plan (if you are going to get those).

How long does it take to get Medicare if you don't have Social Security?

If you are not receiving Social Security and need to sign up for Medicare, you should do it 2-3 months before the month that you turn 65. You can do it online or at a local Social Security office. It can take Social Security up to a month or more to process a new enrollment into Medicare.

How long before you turn 65 can you get Medicare?

If this is your situation, there is nothing else you need to do. Medicare will send you a card in the mail about 3 months in advance of the month in which you turn 65. Your Medicare will start on the 1st day of the month you turn 65 UNLESS your birthday is on the 1st day of the month, in which case it will start on the 1st day of the previous month.

Does Medigap work with Medicare?

As mentioned above, Medigap plans all are designed to work with Medicare itself. Because they are Federally-standardized, they are designed to fill in the gaps in Medicare. Plus, they all pay claims through the Medicare “crossover” system.

What specific services are covered?

Medicare Advantage, like original Medicare, has to cover most basic health care. But it's important to read plan documents so you know exactly what is covered. Identifying your own unique health needs can help you decide which plan is best for you.

Is my doctor included in the plan?

Some people are happy to see any friendly, well-trained doctor. Others prefer a specific care philosophy, or have spent years forming a close relationship with providers they trust. If you like your doctor and can't imagine switching to another provider, choose a plan that includes them.

Does the plan include prescription drug coverage?

Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs. Many Medicare Advantage plans do. Make a list of your current prescription drugs, as well as any prescription drugs you think you might need in the next year. Then compare this to the list of the drugs the plan covers. Coverage levels may differ according to drug type and class.

Which type of Medicare Advantage plan is right for me?

Medicare Advantage offers several different types of plans, including:

What is the plan's rating?

Medicare assigns a rating to each Medicare Advantage plan. You can view ratings and compare plans using the "Plan Finder" tool on The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare online. Select a 5-star plan to get the highest quality coverage. You may also want to expand your research. Consider searching for the plan online to read consumer reviews.