Medicare Blog

who do i ask for help in chosing my medicare plan

by Effie Cole V Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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An agent or broker will need information about you and your providers to help you choose a Medicare plan. A friend or family member can be present while you discuss your Medicare coverage options with an agent or broker. If you want Medicare to share your personal health information with someone else, you’ll need to complete an authorization form.

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can help. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Full Answer

How do I get help with Medicare questions?

 · An agent or broker will need information about you and your providers to help you choose a Medicare plan. A friend or family member can be present while you discuss your Medicare coverage options with an agent or broker. If you want Medicare to share your personal health information with someone else, you’ll need to complete an authorization form.

How do I decide what coverage I Want for Medicare?

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.

Where can I get help with my Medicare claim?

Biggie Productions / Getty Images. 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.

How do I talk to a live person at Medicare?

 · If you have any questions regarding how to choose a Medicare plan, contact you local Social Security office or visit the Medicare website. MORE ADVICE Medicare Costs in …

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Who can help me choose the right Medicare plan?

Get personalized help with choosing a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Go to shiptacenter.org or call 800-633-4227 for local contacts.

How do you shop for Medicare plans?

You can find and compare Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available in your area by inputting your zip code on the Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov. Counselors are also available, free of charge, to provide you with personalized assistance through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.

Who makes decisions for Medicare?

See Section 3 for more information. If you have a Medicare drug plan: Your doctor or other prescriber can request a coverage determination, redetermination, or reconsideration from the Independent Review Entity (IRE) on your behalf, and you don't need to submit an “Appointment of Representative” form.

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.

Is there a website to compare Medicare plans?

Medicare.gov, the official government website for Medicare, features a plan finder tool that allows you to find and compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medigap plans.

What's the best supplemental insurance for Medicare?

Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies of 2022Best Overall: Mutual of Omaha.Best User Experience: Humana.Best Set Pricing: AARP.Best Medigap Coverage Information: Aetna.Best Discounts for Multiple Policyholders: Cigna.

Can you be denied Medicare?

However, if you do not enroll when you first become eligible, you could be denied Medicare Supplement coverage. Many health-related pre-existing conditions can result in a denied Medicare Supplement plan.

Can Medicare kick you out of the hospital?

Medicare covers 90 days of hospitalization per illness (plus a 60-day "lifetime reserve"). However, if you are admitted to a hospital as a Medicare patient, the hospital may try to discharge you before you are ready. While the hospital can't force you to leave, it can begin charging you for services.

What patient population is generally excluded from joining a Medicare Advantage Plan?

People who are 65 or older. Certain younger people with disabilities. People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

What percent of seniors choose Medicare Advantage?

Recently, 42 percent of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Advantage plans, up from 31 percent in 2016, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

What are the top 3 Medicare Advantage plans?

List of Medicare Advantage plansCategoryCompanyRatingBest overallKaiser Permanente5.0Most popularAARP/UnitedHealthcare4.2Largest networkBlue Cross Blue Shield4.1Hassle-free prescriptionsHumana4.01 more row•Feb 16, 2022

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...•

What is Medicare Anthem preferred?

Anthem MediBlue PPO Plans Medicare Advantage plans offer all-in-one coverage that include Medicare Parts A, B and usually D (prescription coverage). Most MediBlue plans cover services not included under Original Medicare, like dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

What is Anthem MediBlue dual advantage?

Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) is a Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan. It includes hospital, medical and prescription drug benefits in one plan. To join this plan, you must: Be entitled to Medicare Part A, Enrolled in Medicare Part B and Colorado Medicaid and Live in our service area (see below).

What is prescription insurance?

Prescription drug insurance is health coverage that helps you pay for prescription drugs. You generally pay a copayment or coinsurance for each drug that is covered by your plan (on its formulary).

Is Anthem Medicare in Florida?

“With the addition of HealthSun, Anthem's affiliated Medicare and Medicaid plans will now serve more than 650,000 members in Florida.” Anthem and rivals including Aetna, Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group are aggressively moving to tap into the lucrative Medicare Advantage business.

How to get help with Medicare?

You can educate yourself using the Medicare Rights Center website, or get personalized counseling using the helpline available Monday-Friday at 1-800-333-4114.

How to ask questions on Medicare?

You can ask questions by using the live chat function accessed via a link near the top of the page. Using live chat, you and a Medicare representative converse by typing questions and answers into a pop-up box. I tried this myself and was assisted within 30 seconds by a knowledgeable representative even though it was 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday.

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 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.

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.

When Can I Enroll In Medicare?

Remember, you are automatically eligible to receive Medicare the day you turn 65. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits and enrolled in Medicare before you hit 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A of Medicare.

Can I Add, Drop, And Change Coverage?

You can’t add, drop, and change coverage as you please. There are certain times and dates when you can do this. There can also be some confusion as to whether or not there will be fees or penalties for adding certain coverage or dropping it from your plan.

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.

What are the extra benefits that Medicare doesn't cover?

Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like vision, hearing, and dental services.

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

You can get a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help pay your remaining out-of-pocket costs (like your 20% coinsurance). Or, you can use coverage from a former employer or union, or Medicaid.

Can you buy supplemental Medicare insurance?

To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage.

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.

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.

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.

How to find Medicare Advantage plans?

On the other hand, if you prefer Medicare Advantage, we like to use the www.medicare.gov website to find options. The Medicare Plan Finder Tool will let us search for Medicare Advantage plans in your county based on your preferences. Some people prefer Medicare HMO plans for the lowest premiums.

What is Medicare Plan Finder Tool?

The Medicare Plan Finder Tool will let us search for Medicare Advantage plans in your county based on your preferences. Some people prefer Medicare HMO plans for the lowest premiums. Others prefer Medicare PPO plans because they are more flexible and have out of network benefits if needed.

Is Medicare easy to choose?

Choosing a Medicare plan is easy with a Medicare insurance expert from Boomer Benefits to help you.

Is Medicare Supplement the same as Medicare Advantage?

You need to understand the difference between a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan. They are not the same – in fact, they work very differently.

Can you move on to quotes from insurance companies?

Once you’ve decided which route works best for you, then you can move on to quotes from insurance companies.

A trusted Medicare expert means clarity and peace of mind for your Medicare needs

When you turn 65, you may be eligible to receive Medicare. Medicare is a government-funded health plan that qualifying US citizens and other permanent residents of the US are entitled to.

Questions to Ask Your PCP

Do you accept Medicare? If your doctor does not accept Medicare, your out-of-pocket costs may be higher. Also, some Medicare Advantage Plans require you to use doctors within their plan network, so if your doctor is not a part of that network, again, you may pay higher copays.

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.)

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare drug plans. .

Do you have to pay out of pocket for Medicare?

Plans have a yearly limit on your out-of-pocket costs. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, once you reach a certain limit, you’ll pay nothing for covered services for the rest of the year. This option may be more cost effective for you.

Does Medicare Advantage have a yearly limit?

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, once you reach a certain limit, you’ll pay nothing for covered services for the rest of the year. This option may be more cost effective for you. note:

Does Medicare Advantage include prescription drugs?

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage. If yours doesn't, you may be able to join a separate Part D plan. note: If you're in a Medicare plan, review the "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC)and  "Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC) . Doctor and hospital choice.

Does Medicare pay for prescription drugs?

Prescription drug coverage (for example, from an employer or union ) that' s expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare's standard prescription drug coverage. People who have this kind of coverage when they become eligible for Medicare can generally keep that coverage without paying a penalty, if they decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage later.

Can you use a Medigap policy if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

And, many Medicare Advantage plans offer vision, hearing, and dental. You can’t use (and can’t be sold) a Medigap policy if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Is coinsurance a part of Medicare Advantage?

Supplemental coverage in Medicare Advantage. It may be more cost effective for you to join a Medicare Advantage Plan because your cost sharing is lower (or included). And, many Medicare Advantage plans offer vision, hearing, and dental.

Does Medicare cover vision?

Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers. Some plans offer benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover like vision, hearing, or dental.

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