Medicare Blog

where to call for medicare information and new benefits

by Prof. Millie Reichert Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Call 1-800-MEDICARE
For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Full Answer

How do I contact Medicare about a claim?

For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account , or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. What state do you live in?

What is the official Medicare phone number?

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the official Medicare phone number that beneficiaries may call for help with their coverage, claims, payments and more. You may call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and help is available in both English and Spanish as well as for the hearing impaired (the TTY Medicare toll-free line is 1-877-486-2048).

Where can I get help with Medicare questions?

Medicare.gov Live Chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account , or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

How do I find out if I am eligible for Medicare?

For matters regarding your eligibility for Medicare benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration. The official toll-free number is 1-800-772-1213. To keep your personal information safe, never give your social security number or Medicare coverage identity number to anyone who calls you and asks for it.

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What number do I call for Medicare benefits?

(800) 633-4227Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Customer service

How can I get questions answered 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.

How do I check my Medicare coverage?

Checking the BasicsYou can use the enrollment check at Medicare.gov.You can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.Members can visit a local office to review the coverage in person.

How do I claim my Medicare benefits?

Contact your doctor or supplier, and ask them to file a claim. If they don't file a claim, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Ask for the exact time limit for filing a Medicare claim for the service or supply you got.

Can you call Medicare 24 hours a day?

Medicare.gov Live Chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.

Does Medicare call to update information?

Remember, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration will not call you to update your information or give you a new card. If someone who calls you asks for your personal information, do not provide it.

How do I update Medicare information?

Instructions on how to update your address and contact details using your Medicare online account....The screen layout will look different if you're using a mobile device.Step 1: sign in. Sign in to myGov and select Medicare. ... Step 2: update your details. ... Step 3: sign out.

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.

Can I get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.

What is the first step in submitting Medicare claims?

The first thing you'll need to do when filing your claim is to fill out the Patient's Request for Medical Payment form. ... The next step in filing your own claim is to get an itemized bill for your medical treatment.More items...•

Can I submit a claim to Medicare myself?

If you have Original Medicare and a participating provider refuses to submit a claim, you can file a complaint with 1-800-MEDICARE. Regardless of whether or not the provider is required to file claims, you can submit the healthcare claims yourself.

How long does it take to process a Medicare claim?

Claims processing by Medicare is quick and can be as little as 14 days if the claim is submitted electronically and it's clean. In general, you can expect to have your claim processed within 30 calendar days. However, there are some exceptions, such as if the claim is amended or filed incorrectly.

What is the Medicare phone number?

Medicare provides beneficiaries with an easy-to-remember 800 number: 1-800-MEDICARE. (That’s 1-800-633-4227.)

When can I call Medicare for help?

The toll-free phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before you dial though, remember that almost all Medicare-related questions...

When should I call 1-800-MEDICARE?

Beneficiaries can call the toll-free Medicare number to: ask whether certain services are covered, get detailed information about Medicare health a...

How else can I contact Medicare?

You can mail your questions or hard copies of documents to: Medicare Contact Center Operations PO Box 1270 Lawrence, KS 66044 Or fax Medicare at 1-...

What information can I find at Medicare.gov?

Medicare.gov contains a treasure trove of contact information and details about Medicare coverage. For contact information, visit the contact page...

Where else can I get Medicare advice?

State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) are free volunteer-based Medicare counseling services available in each state. These programs pr...

When should I call Social Security instead of 1-800-MEDICARE?

Although Social Security and Medicare are linked in many ways, the Social Security Administrations manages enrollment and eligibility for Medicare...

When should I not call 1-800-MEDICARE?

Do not call 1-800-MEDICARE if you have specific questions about your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan. Because these policies are adminis...

What is the number to call Medicare?

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the official Medicare phone number that beneficiaries may call for help with their coverage, claims, payments and more. You may call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, ...

How to contact Medicare for lost card?

1-800-MEDICARE and press “ 0 ”. or say “ Help me with something else ”. or press “ 6 ”. or say “ Agent ”. Replacing a lost Medicare card. 1-800-772-1213. Medicare questions for the hearing impaired. 1-877-486-2048. Social Security.

What to call Medicare before calling?

Before you call the Medicare phone number. Before calling 1-800-MEDICARE, have your Medicare card ready in case the representative needs to know your Medicare number. If you are calling with a question about a claim or a bill, have the bill or the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) handy for reference.

How to check Medicare claim status?

While you can always call Medicare to check on a Medicare claim status, you can also do so by visiting MyMedicare.gov. You will need to set up an account for the website, which will allow you to access certain information about your Medicare coverage: 1 You can check the status of any Medicare Part A or Part B claim, usually within 24 hours after the claim is processed. 2 You can check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), which shows all of your Medicare coverage and billing activity for the previous three months. 3 You can download and save your Medicare Part A and Part B claims information.

How much is Medicare Part B?

The standard premium for Medicare Part B is $135.50 in 2019. Some people (such as those who have recently reported higher incomes) may pay more.

What is Medicare Part A and Part B?

Medicare Part A and Part B (also call Original Medicare) cover a wide range of services, so it’s understandable why so many beneficiaries call 1-800-MEDICARE with questions about whether or not a particular service or health care product will be covered by Original Medicare.

How long does it take to check Medicare Part A?

You can check the status of any Medicare Part A or Part B claim, usually within 24 hours after the claim is processed.

What is the number for Medicare?

The TTY number is 1-877-486-2048. Before you make your call, you should jot down your questions and have your Medicare identification number at hand. Your call is mechanically answered, and the speaker gives you the menu of options.

How to speak to a Medicare agent?

In order to speak to an agent, you must say the word “agent”, or press the zero key. You may have to wait for one to five minutes before an agent comes on the line. Do not hang up until someone answers. The customer service menu for the Medicare helpline is below.

How long does Medicare speak to you?

Medicare agents are available to speak to you on a 24 hour and 7 day per week basis.

What is the number to call for Social Security?

For people who have hearing or speech impairments the number to call is 1-877-468-2048, also listed as the TTY number. You can speak to a representative at the Social Security Administration to make an appointment with an agent at your local Social Security office by phoning their official toll-free number 1-800-772-1213.

What to do if you suspect fraud on Medicare?

If you suspect fraudulent use of your Medicare insurance benefits because of identity theft, you should contact someone right away. In instances where you suspect that a health care provider has made a billing error, or if you have not received the services you have been billed for, you may have to call Medicare.

What to ask before calling a medical provider?

Before calling, you should call the provider and ask about the charge that you do not agree on. It could simply be an oversight that can be fixed by them. You may also prefer to speak with an agent if you have specific billing questions, questions about claims, or expenses. You may also need to discuss medical records.

Can the SSA call you to tell them your information?

Neither CMS, nor the SSA will ever call and ask you to tell them your personal information. These agencies know your identification numbers and will only ask you to confirm them. If someone calls you and says they need your information, hang up and call the agency directly using their official phone numbers.

What is the number to call for Medicare?

These are the times when you should call Social Security (1-800-772-1213) instead of Medicare: to verify your Medicare eligibility, to report a death, to request a replacement Medicare card,

How to contact Medicare about claims?

The representatives at 1-800-Medicare can help you with claims and appeals issues if you have Original Medicare. You should contact your insurer directly about claims or billing issues if you have Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage, or if you need to check on claims that are being processed by your Medigap supplement. (You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to file a complaint about your health insurance plan.) If you would like someone else to speak on your behalf or represent you in an appeal, you will need to give a verbal authorization to the Medicare agent.

When can I call Medicare for help?

The toll-free phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before you dial though, remember that almost all Medicare-related questions can be answered through easily accessible and authorized sources, including official web resources, health plan navigators, and consumer advocates.

What information can I find at Medicare.gov?

Medicare.gov contains a treasure trove of contact information and details about Medicare coverage. For contact information, visit the contact page of the website and enter your state or territory; then choose the organization or topic from a dropdown menu.

When should I not call 1-800-MEDICARE?

Do not call 1-800-MEDICARE if you have specific questions about your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan. Because these policies are administered by private insurers, you must contact your plan insurer directly (or your agent/broker). This includes questions on plan premiums, deductibles, claims status, and other issues that are plan-specific. (Medicare can sometimes assist with Medigap claims issues, though, if your Medigap plan is not receiving claims once they’ve been processed by Original Medicare.)

How much will Medicare premiums be in 2021?

For beneficiaries who haven’t reached the 40-quarter threshold, Part A premiums can cost up to $471 per month in 2021, depending on how long you paid into Social Security. For most beneficiaries, premiums for Part B are $148.50 a month in 2021. Both Part B and Part D premiums can be higher for those earning over $88,000 annually (over $176,000 for a couple filing jointly).

How much is Medicare Part A deductible?

Currently, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,408 per benefit period in 2020, and Part B is $198 per year.

When did Medicare start putting new brackets?

These new brackets took effect in 2018, bumping some high-income enrollees into higher premium brackets.

What is the income bracket for Medicare Part B and D?

The income brackets for high-income premium adjustments for Medicare Part B and D will start at $88,000 for a single person, and the high-income surcharges for Part D and Part B will increase in 2021. Medicare Advantage enrollment is expected to continue to increase to a projected 26 million. Medicare Advantage plans are available ...

Is the Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum changing for 2022?

Medicare Advantage plans are required to cap enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs for Part A and Part B services (unlike Original Medicare, which does not have a cap on out-of -pocket costs). The cap does not include the cost of prescription drugs, since those are covered under Medicare Part D (even when it’s integrated with a Medicare Advantage plan).

Can I still buy Medigap Plans C and F?

As a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), Medigap plans C and F (including the high-deductible Plan F) are no longer available for purchase by people who become newly-eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. People who became Medicare-eligible prior to 2020 can keep Plan C or F if they already have it, or apply for those plans at a later date, including for 2022 coverage.

What is the maximum out of pocket limit for Medicare Advantage?

The maximum out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Advantage plans is increasing to $7,550 for 2021. Part D donut hole no longer exists, but a standard plan’s maximum deductible is increasing to $445 in 2021, and the threshold for entering the catastrophic coverage phase (where out-of-pocket spending decreases significantly) is increasing to $6,550.

What is the Medicare premium for 2021?

The standard premium for Medicare Part B is $148.50/month in 2021. This is an increase of less than $4/month over the standard 2020 premium of $144.60/month. It had been projected to increase more significantly, but in October 2020, the federal government enacted a short-term spending bill that included a provision to limit ...

How much is the Medicare coinsurance for 2021?

For 2021, it’s $371 per day for the 61st through 90th day of inpatient care (up from $352 per day in 2020). The coinsurance for lifetime reserve days is $742 per day in 2021, up from $704 per day in 2020.

Can you voluntarily terminate Medicare Part B?

Voluntary Termination of Medicare Part B. You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (medical insurance). It is a serious decision. You must submit Form CMS-1763 ( PDF, Download Adobe Reader) to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Visit or call the SSA ( 1-800-772-1213) to get this form.

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