Medicare Blog

where to go with questions about medicare

by Prof. Lonzo Nitzsche Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

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.

Full Answer

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).

What questions should Medicare patients ask before they're discharged?

What questions should Medicare patients ask before they're discharged from the hospital? How does a doctor's participation in Medicare affect reimbursement? Will all doctors accept my Medicare coverage? How do I replace a lost Medicare card? What steps should I take to avoid Medicare fraud?

How do I Find my Medicare plan for medications?

If you have medications that need coverage, use the Medicare plan finder tool to identify the policy that will cover your medications. Does Medicare cover a home health aide? Medicare will cover intermittent or part-time skilled nursing care.

How do I talk to a real person at Medicare?

For specific billing questions and questions about your claim, medical records, or expenses, log into MyMedicare.gov, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.

image

How can I ask Medicare a question?

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.

What is the best way to contact Medicare?

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Can AARP help with Medicare questions?

AARP's Medicare Question and Answer Tool offers practical and comprehensive information to help you navigate the program according to your own situation.

What is the Medicare helpline?

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

Does Medicare have local offices?

Does Medicare Have Local Offices? Medicare does not have local offices.

When should I call 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.)

Who can answer my questions about Medicare?

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman If you've contacted 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY: 1-877-486-2048) about a Medicare-related inquiry or complaint but still need help, ask the 1-800-MEDICARE representative to send your inquiry or complaint to the Medicare Ombudsman's Office.

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.

Who does AARP recommend for Medicare?

UnitedHealthcareAARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare.

How can I contact Medicare by phone?

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

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.

Is the Medicare helpline for real?

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

Phone

For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.

How to contact Medicare by phone?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) You can call 1-800-MEDICARE and speak with a representative to ask questions about Medicare or get help resolving problems with Medicare. We made a test call to this number and were greeted by a polite Medicare representative after being on hold for about 90 seconds.

What is the difference between Medicare.gov and MyMedicare.gov?

The information available on the MyMedicare.gov website differs from Medicare.gov in that it’s specific to you. You’ll be able to see your Medicare Part A and Part B claims as well as get quality information about your doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.

What is Medicare.gov?

Medicare.gov is the official government website about Medicare. There are lots of private sites devoted to Medicare information and sales—some are very reputable, although some are not. But only the government website has the dot-gov domain name. 5.

What is Medicare Rights Center?

The Medicare Rights Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Americans understand their Medicare rights and benefits, navigate the Medicare system, and get quality health care. It does this using the extensive library of information available on its website as well as through a telephone helpline.

Medicare basics

Start here. Learn the parts of Medicare, how it works, and what it costs.

Sign up

First, you’ll sign up for Parts A and B. Find out when and how to sign up, and when coverage starts.

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.

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.

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.

Is Medigap a Medicare Advantage plan?

Medigap plans are NOT Medicare Advantage plans and vice versa. The two could not be any different in how they work. At a fundamental level, the biggest difference is that Medigap plans work WITH Medicare and supplement Medicare’s coverage, while Advantage plans work IN PLACE OF Medicare.

Does Medicare cover prescriptions?

Medicare itself (Parts A and B) and the Medigap plans provide NO coverage for prescription medications. Part D national average premiums are around $34/month currently (2021). But there are plans for as low as $7-15/month in most geographic locations – rates vary by state.

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