Medicare Blog

what is the medicare coverage helpline all about

by Prof. Price Carter DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

The Medicare Helpline is an online marketplace, and as such does not offer any coverage itself. Instead, it provides access to agents from carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. These carriers include Cigna, Aetna, Mutual of Omaha, Humana, and more.

What is the Medicare Coverage Helpline ®? The Medicare Coverage Helpline is a no-cost service that connects you with a licensed insurance agent to discuss Medicare plan options in your area. We have helped more than one million consumers find Medicare plans that best suit their individual needs.

Full Answer

How do you check out your Medicare coverage?

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.

How to contact our Medicare benefits hotline?

Nov 17, 2021 · Beneficiaries may call 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours per day, seven days per week to get help with coverage, claims, payments and more in both English and Spanish. The hearing impaired may call 1-877-486-2048. Some of the things you can get help with by calling 1-800-MEDICARE include: Claim status Coverage and benefits Premium payments Preventive exams

What is the best Medicare plan?

Jan 06, 2022 · Medicare Coverage Helpline is a special service for Medicare members that can help in picking the best Medicare plan based on individual needs. You might have heard of the phrase “health is not valued until sickness comes”.

What procedures are covered by Medicare?

Dec 25, 2021 · Medicare Coverage Helpline says it can get customers the Medicare benefits that they deserve. For example, Joe Namath found a plan that provided him everything from prescriptions to home-delivered meals. Customers can call the helpline to speak to an agent and have no obligation to enroll. Advertiser

image

What is the deal with Medicare coverage helpline?

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.Jul 26, 2021

Is medical coverage helpline legit?

Instead, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) is allowing Medicare Advantage plans to send you to “the Medicare Coverage Helpline.” And, while you might think that it is a government, independent agency, it is in fact a corporate marketing agency, designed to seduce you into giving up your public ...Sep 29, 2020

What are the four types of coverage in 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.

What are the negatives of a Medicare Advantage plan?

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 Medigap, there often are lifetime penalties.

What are the disadvantages of a Medicare Advantage plan?

Cons of Medicare AdvantageRestrictive plans can limit covered services and medical providers.May have higher copays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.Beneficiaries required to pay the Part B deductible.Costs of health care are not always apparent up front.Type of plan availability varies by region.More items...•Dec 9, 2021

Does Medicare Part A and B cover 100 percent?

All Medicare Supplement insurance plans generally pay 100% of your Part A coinsurance amount, including an additional 365 days after your Medicare benefits are used up. In addition, each pays some or all of your: Part B coinsurance.

What's the difference between Medicare Part A and Part B?

Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are two aspects of healthcare coverage the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provide. Part A is hospital coverage, while Part B is more for doctor's visits and other aspects of outpatient medical care.

Does Medicare Part B pay for prescriptions?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) includes limited drug coverage. It doesn't cover most drugs you get at the pharmacy. You'll need to join a Medicare drug plan or health plan with drug coverage to get Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for most chronic conditions, like high blood pressure.

What are the different types of Medicare plans?

What are private Medicare plans? 1 Medicare Advantage#N#Medicare Advantage plans provide the same benefits as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) combined into a single plan.#N#Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional coverage for things like dental, vision, hearing, prescription drugs and other services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. 2 Medicare Part D#N#Medicare Part D plans provide coverage for exclusively for prescription drugs. 3 Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)#N#Medigap plans help cover for some of the out-of-pocket costs faced by Original Medicare beneficiaries, such as certain Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. You can’t have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Who is Christian Worstell?

Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options. .. Read full bio

Is There A Medicare Advantage Phone Number

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, so you may want to call your plan provider directly with any questions about your Medicare Advantage plan. For general information about Medicare coverage, you can still call 1-800-MEDICARE, even if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Special Message For Retired State Employees

We are committed to helping our patients understand their health insurance options. Recently, we have received questions about how our contract negotiations with UnitedHealthcare will impact retired state employees. As we work with UnitedHealthcare on a new contract for hospital and employed physician services, retired state employees need to know:

Is Medicare Different In Each State

Before we begin our discussion of Medicare coverage by state, letâs consider basic eligibility for Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reports that the following factors make you eligible for Medicare:

What Were Doing About Medicare

We advise the Australian Government on Medicare policy and manage things like:

Should You Buy A Medicare Plan From Joe Namath

Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives..

The Solvency Of The Medicare Hi Trust Fund

This measure involves only Part A. The trust fund is considered insolvent when available revenue plus any existing balances will not cover 100 percent of annual projected costs.

How To Protect Yourself More

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams weekly, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. Youll receive periodic messages and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, please use the Comments section below to expose other Medicare scammers.

What is the Medicare helpline number?

Still have questions, please call. Call 800-976-6274 ( TTY 711) What is the Medicare Coverage Helpline ®? The Medicare Coverage Helpline is a no-cost service that connects you with a licensed insurance agent to discuss Medicare plan options in your area.

Can Medicare plans be changed?

Plans can only be changed during certain times of the year. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. By completing the contact form above or calling the number listed above, you will be directed to a licensed sales agent who can answer your questions and provide information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare supplement ...

What is Medicare Helpline?

The Medicare Helpline is an online marketplace, and as such does not offer any coverage itself. Instead, it provides access to agents from carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. These carriers include Cigna, Aetna, Mutual of Omaha, Humana, and more.

What is a C plan?

Plan C - One of the most popular plans, it adds on a skilled nursing facility daily copay, the Part B annual deductible, and emergency care outside of the U.S.

Is Medicare Helpline a good website?

The Medicare Helpline does a good job of presenting quotes to consumers in a simple fashion, ultimately providing help to those who are hunting down the best possible Medicare alternative. On the other hand, the website does lack additional resources that many other marketplaces do feature, such as articles, overviews, and guides for purchasing Medicare as a whole, as well as for individual healthcare products. Consumers should also be aware that, by providing their electronic signature, they agree to give licensed sales agents their prior express written consent and continuing permission to call them at their cell and residential phone number provided in the online quote request through an automatic dialing system and pre-recorded and artificial voice messages any time from and after their inquiry.

Does Plan D cover Part B?

Plan D - Though this includes most of the same benefits as plan C, it does not cover the Part B deductible. Plan D - Also prescription drug coverage, seniors are encouraged to enroll if they have Parts A & B. Many Part C plans offer prescription drug coverage so you may not need a Part D plan.

Is Medicare Helpline an online marketplace?

Because the Medicare Helpline is an online marketplace, its quotes will vary widely depending on the user's location. Additionally, once the consumer has made a choice regarding their insurance carrier, the price will depend on their specific healthcare needs.

I Was Offered Extra Benefits Like Dental Coverage At Timestamp 0: 16

The fine print in the red circle on this screenshot says Plans and benefits vary, and premiums, co-pays, and co-insurance may apply. Plans that have no premiums, no co-pays, no deductibles may require qualifying for low-income subsidies or, SNP plans. Benefits may differ from those offered under your current plan.

Fake Medicare Advisor Phone Calls

Fake phone calls are designed to get your personal information, credit card number, or other financial information in exchange for phony products or unsolicited advice. Often, the so-called advisor will pressure you to act quickly.

Phantom Call Medicare Imposters

Medicare scammers may employ spoof caller ID technology to falsely identify the call as coming from Medicare or another government agency. So, dont trust your caller I.D. if it shows the call is from Medicare. Medicare wont call you with questions or issues, typically sending a letter instead.

Threatening A Loss Of Coverage

This scam usually begins with a senior receiving a call that says they must have a prescription drug coverage plan or they will lose their other Medicare benefits. If the senior doesnt purchase a plan during enrollment time, then their Medicare benefits will be terminated.

Joe Namaths Medicare Advantage Commercials

When youre educated regarding Medicare options, youll soon realize the Medicare commercials that feature Joe Namath are only for Medicare Advantage plans. Advantage policies are available through private insurance companies.

Medicare And Social Security Scams

Minnesota senior citizens report being targeted by a new scam: fraudulent operators who pretend to be calling about Medicare, Social Security, or supplemental insurance, but whose actual purpose is to trick seniors into disclosing their private financial information.

Opinion: Joe Namaths Medicare Farce

Joe Namath, Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl III in 1969, has become Most Valuable Persuader as the snake oil salesman for the Medicare Coverage Helpline in 2021.

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.”.

Up Close

First of all, I feel we should take another look at the commercial and take a closer look.

I Called the 800 Number To See What Extra Medicare Benefits I Could Get – An Actual Person Answered Looked Up My Zip Code – Timestamp: 00:05-00:15 seconds

The fine print in the red circle on this screenshot says – “ The 2021 Medicare Helpline is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of any government agency or program.

Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP) Part C

This type of plan is an additional way to get what Part A and B cover but has additional benefits.

Description of Medicare Advantage Plans

These MA plans Part D drug coverage, normally and in many cases to get this coverage, you will need to use the health care provider in that private companies plan network.

Description of Some Medicare Advantage Plan Coverages

The Medicare Advantage (MA) (Part C) Plans will cover all of your Part A and B benefits except any hospice services or clinical trials and temporarily the new benefits that happen because of national coverages or legislation has determined.

I was offered Extra Benefits Like Dental Coverage at Timestamp 00:16-19 seconds

The fine print in the red circle on this screenshot says – “Plans and benefits vary, and premiums, co-pays, and co-insurance may apply. Plans that have no premiums, no co-pays, no deductibles may require qualifying for low-income subsidies or, SNP plans. Benefits may differ from those offered under your current plan.

Choosing Plans To Benefit You The Most

Many Decisions to make for Expanded Coverage in your Medicare Advantage Plan. Recommend that you consider talking to a broker or consultant to go through every detail with you before you commit to enabling the best coverage for the money and peace of mind for you and your family.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9