who can help me ubderstand medicare

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Where can I get help with Medicare enrollment?

Another way to get help with your Medicare enrollment is to consult an independent insurance agent. Agents typically get paid a commission to sell you a policy, although they offer plans from a number of providers. The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America have a directory on their website that lets you search for agents in your area.

Where can I get help understanding my Medicare Rights?

If you need help understanding your Medicare rights and how to exercise them, there is free information and assistance that you can access. Below are examples of places you can get help: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – Each state offers a SHIP, partly funded by the federal government, to give you free counseling and assistance.

Who can I use for Medicare out-of-pocket costs?

You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage. If you don't get Medicare drug coverage or Medigap when you're first eligible, you may have to pay more to get this coverage later.

What is the best Medicare advisor service?

One of the best is Allsup Inc., which offers a Medicare Advisor service that takes your personal information online or over the phone, such as the prescription drugs you take and the doctors you use, and provides you customized advice on the best Medicare plans that match your needs and budget.

What is the best resource to understand Medicare?

The best resource is Medicare's Plan Finder, a comprehensive list of the Part D and Medicare Advantage plans (called “Medicare Health Plans”) available in your area.

How do I know which Medicare plan is right for me?

To compare Medicare plans, use the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan, on the official U.S. government site for people with Medicare, which allows you to compare plans by cost, by quality and by other features that may be of importance to you.

Why are Medicare plans so confusing?

Medicare can seem confusing because they have tried to develop a system to accomodate a variety of lifestyles and financial situations across the country. In addition, they work to give Medicare beneficiaries as many options as possible when they move or if their health or financial conditions change.

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 will Medicare not pay for?

In general, Original Medicare does not cover: Long-term care (such as extended nursing home stays or custodial care) Hearing aids. Most vision care, notably eyeglasses and contacts. Most dental care, notably dentures.

Who is the largest Medicare Advantage provider?

UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and offers plans in nearly three-quarters of U.S. counties.

What percent of seniors choose Medicare Advantage?

[+] More than 28.5 million patients are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, according to new federal data. That's up nearly 9% compared with the same time last year. More than 40% of the more than 63 million people enrolled in Medicare are now in an MA plan.

What are the Medicare questions?

Here are some of the most common Medicare questions and answers.How Do I Know What Medicare Coverage Is Right For Me?How Much Does Medicare Cost?What Do I Do About Medicare If I Work Past Age 65?How Can I Get Dental and Vision Coverage with Medicare?What's the Difference Between a Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO?

How confusing is Medicare?

Despite evidence of a widespread lack of knowledge about Medicare – and a high percentage of beneficiaries admitting that Medicare is confusing and difficult to understand – many of the same beneficiaries reported a high amount of confidence in their knowledge of Medicare terms, their understanding of Medicare coverage ...

How do 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.

How do I get my questions answered for 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.

Who Pays First Medicare or AARP?

En español | Medicare almost always pays first when people are retired, enrolled in Medicare, and entitled to one or more other types of health benefits. Usually retiree benefits from former employers or unions, or other forms of supplemental coverage, such as Medigap insurance, pay second.

What is the toll free number for Medicare?

Learn about and contact other agencies for additional assistance. Medicare – The federal government has a toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE, and a website that provides basic information about Medicare coverage and your private health and/or drug plan options. Social Security Administration (SSA) – The federal government has a toll-free number, ...

What is Medicare Rights Center?

Medicare Rights Center – The Medicare Rights Center is a national nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and public policy initiatives.

What is Medigap insurance?

A: Medigap is private insurance that covers out-of-pocket expenses in the Original Medicare program. (If you are under age 65 and have Medicare due to disability, see the next Q&A in this section, because the rules are different for your situation.) — Read Full Answer.

Does Medicare cover all medical expenses?

A: Medicare does not cover all your health care costs. It requires you to pay premiums, deductibles and copays, which vary according to the type of Medicare coverage you choose and, in some cases, your income. — Read Full Answer. Q: I want to be sure I understand the Part D “doughnut hole” or coverage gap.

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 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.

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 a helpline counselor?

Helpline counselors offer assistance with Medicare questions like how to decrease your premium costs and with Medicare problems such as appealing payment denials. They can also provide extensive information regarding eligibility and enrollment, even for somewhat complicated situations.

Parts of Medicare

Learn the parts of Medicare and what they cover. Get familiar with other terms and the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

General costs

Discover what cost words mean and what you’ll pay for each part of Medicare.

How Medicare works

Follow 2 steps to set up your Medicare coverage. Find out how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage work.

Working past 65

Find out what to do if you’re still working & how to get Medicare when you retire.

What Is a Medicare Advisor?

Medicare advisors can be independent insurance sales agents representing one or multiple different Medicare plan providers (insurance companies), or they can be insurance brokers who work on behalf of a Medicare beneficiary.

How Is an Insurance Agent a Medicare Advisor?

A Medicare insurance agent can do so much more than just simply sell you a policy. A good agent will gather Medicare plans from several different carriers that sell insurance in your area, and they’ll go over the details of each one with you. The agent can help you understand the costs associated with each plan and review the benefits.

How Do Non-Profit Organizations Serve as Medicare Advisors?

Agents and brokers are both in the business of selling or negotiating insurance policies and will typically provide plenty of advice along the way.

What is the original Medicare?

Original Medicare. Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health plan that has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). After you pay a deductible, Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your share (coinsurance and deductibles). (Part A and Part B) or a.

What happens if you don't get Medicare?

If you don't get Medicare drug coverage or Medigap when you're first eligible, you may have to pay more to get this coverage later. This could mean you’ll have a lifetime premium penalty for your Medicare drug coverage . Learn more about how Original Medicare works.

How much does Medicare pay for Part B?

For Part B-covered services, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your deductible. This is called your coinsurance. You pay a premium (monthly payment) for Part B. If you choose to join a Medicare drug plan (Part D), you’ll pay that premium separately.

What is Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) A type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide all of your Part A and Part B benefits, excluding hospice. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Health Maintenance Organizations. Preferred Provider Organizations.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescriptions?

Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage. . Some people need to get additional coverage , like Medicare drug coverage or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Use this information to help you compare your coverage options and decide what coverage is right for you.

How to get help with Medicare enrollment?

Another way to get help with your Medicare enrollment is to consult an independent insurance agent. Agents typically get paid a commission to sell you a policy, although they offer plans from a number of providers.

What is the number to call Medicare?

Or, if you don’t have Internet access, or don’t feel confident in working through the information on your own, you can also call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and a customer service representative will do the work for you over the phone. Advertisement.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Or, a Medicare Advantage plan which covers health care, prescription drugs ...

What is supplemental coverage?

Supplemental Coverage. As stated before, supplemental coverages can be a huge lifesaver in the event you find yourself in a flurry of hospital and physician charges. Medigap Plans – These are plans that pay after Medicare pays. This will cover that 20% patient responsibility for your outpatient services.

When do you have to enroll in Part A and B?

Automatic Enrollment: You may be automatically enrolled in Part A and B at 65 years of age if you begin to receive retirement benefits from either the Railroad Retirement Board or from Social Security.

What is the SEP period for Medicare?

If this criterion is met, you may delay enrollment for Medicare until after turning age 65. GEP – General Enrollment Period: If you fail to apply for Medicare ...