Medicare Blog

who to call with advice on medicare advantage plans

by Carleton Gleason Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You can call the Medicare helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for questions about Medicare coverage. Or you can call our licensed insurance agents to learn about Medicare Advantage plan options in your area. 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the official phone number for Medicare.

Visit Medicare.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Mar 31, 2022

Full Answer

Who can get Medicare Advantage?

Nov 17, 2021 · A licensed insurance agent can help answer your questions about Medicare Advantage plans, including whether there are any MA plans in your area that offer prescription …

How do I know what Medicare plan I have?

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare …

What is a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan?

Alaska 800-478-6065 or 907-269-3680. Arizona 800-432-4040 or 602-542-4446. Arkansas 800-224-6330 or 501-371-2782. California 800-434-0222. Colorado 888-696-7213. Connecticut …

When can I join 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 …

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Which company has the best Medicare Advantage plan?

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

What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?

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.4 days ago

Who is the best person to talk to 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.

What is the down side of a Medicare Advantage plan?

There are some disadvantages as well, including provider limitations, additional costs, and lack of coverage while traveling. Whether you choose original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, it's important to review healthcare needs and Medicare options before choosing your coverage.

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 the private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for the services they provide.

Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare?

Yes, you can elect to switch to traditional Medicare from your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Your coverage under traditional Medicare will begin January 1 of the following year.

How do I contact Medicare about 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 difference between Medicare gap and Medicare Advantage?

Medigap is supplemental and helps to fill gaps by paying out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare while Medicare Advantage plans stand in place of Original Medicare and generally provide additional coverage.

How can I contact Medicare by telephone?

Who is the largest Medicare Advantage provider?

UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and offers plans in nearly three-quarters of U.S. counties.Dec 21, 2021

Is Medicare Advantage too good to be true?

Medicare Advantage plans have serious disadvantages over original Medicare, according to a new report by the Medicare Rights Center, Too Good To Be True: The Fine Print in Medicare Private Health Care Benefits.May 10, 2007

Can you have a Medicare Advantage plan and a prescription drug plan?

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D). You can join a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan with certain types of plans that: Can't offer drug coverage (like Medicare Medical Savings Account plans) Choose not to offer drug coverage (like some Private Fee-for-Service plans)

What are the different types of Medicare Advantage Plans?

Other less common types of Medicare Advantage Plans that may be available include. Hmo Point Of Service (Hmopos) Plans. An HMO Plan that may allow you to get some services out-of-network for a higher cost. and a. Medicare Medical Savings Account (Msa) Plan. MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a bank account.

Do you need a red, white, and blue Medicare card?

Keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare. Below are the most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans.

Does Medicare Advantage include drug coverage?

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In many cases , you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network and service area for the lowest costs.

What is MSA plan?

Medicare Medical Savings Account (Msa) Plan. MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a bank account. The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use the money in this account to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible.

Take advantage of your state's one-on-one counseling program

If you have a complicated question about Medicare, or just want some help talking through your options, you should take advantage of the free one-on-one counseling available through your state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

See all our Medicare information

We've collected the information you need to manage your Medicare benefits. How to sign up for the first time. How to decide between Medicare Advantage and Medigap. How to pick the best Advantage or prescription drug plan.

Can you use any provider under Medicare Advantage?

Many Medicare Advantage plans have networks, such as HMOs (health maintenance organizations) or PPOs* (preferred provider organization). Many Medicare Advantage plans may have provider networks that limit the doctors and other providers you can use. Under Original Medicare, you can use any provider that accepts Medicare assignment.

Is Medicare Advantage regulated by Medicare?

If you’re new to Medicare, you may be curious about Medicare Advantage. Here are some pros and cons of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. For starters, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies but are regulated by Medicare. Regardless if the Medicare Advantage plan you choose has a monthly premium or not, ...

What are the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage?

A possible disadvantage of a Medicare Advantage plan is you can’t have a Medicare Supplement plan with it. You may be limited to provider networks. Find affordable Medicare plans in your area. Find Plans. Find Medicare plans in your area. Find Plans.

Is Medicare Advantage regulated by private insurance companies?

Here are some pros and cons of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. For starters, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies but are regulated by Medicare.

Is Medicare Advantage a private insurance?

For starters, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies but are regulated by Medicare. Regardless if the Medicare Advantage plan you choose has a monthly premium or not, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Does Medicare Advantage have a monthly premium?

For starters, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies but are regulated by Medicare. Regardless if the Medicare Advantage plan you choose has a monthly premium or not, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Some Medicare Advantage plans have premiums as low as $0.

Does Medicare have an out-of-pocket maximum?

You may not know that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) has no out-of- pocket maximum. That means that if you face a catastrophic health concern, you may be responsible to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

How to switch to Medicare Advantage?

To switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan, simply join the plan you choose during one of the enrollment periods. You'll be disenrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan's coverage begins. To switch to Original Medicare, contact your current plan, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE. Unless you have other drug coverage, you should ...

What happens if you lose Medicare coverage?

In other cases, you may still be able to use your employer or union coverage along with the Medicare Advantage plan you join.

Do all Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization?

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly all Medicare Advantage plan enrollees are in plans that require prior authorization for some services. Health plans are in the business of making money and this is one of the primary ways they have to control costs.

Is Medicare Advantage a good plan?

Medicare Advantage plans are most beneficial if you are healthy and/or receive assistance paying shared costs. Where available, Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans are affordable for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Why is Medicare Advantage so bad?

These are the 7 most common reasons we’ve documented that make people feel Medicare Advantage plans are terrible: Free plans are not really free. Hospitalization costs more, not less. They make you pay multiple copays for the same issue. You are more likely to see a nurse practitioner than a doctor.

What is Medicare Part B rebate?

ALSO: Some zero-dollar premium Advantage health plans can rebate all or a portion of your Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare. It covers doctor visits, specialists, lab tests and diagnostics, and durable medical equipment. Part A is for hospital inpatient care....

What is Medicare premium?

A premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must pay for coverage. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly basis. In the federal Medicare program, there are four different types of premiums. ... , but pay virtually nothing when you use healthcare services once the annual Part B premium is paid.

How many standardized plans are there for Medigap?

With Medigap, there are ten standardized plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N). Regardless of which insurance company you get a plan from, its benefits and coverage are the same. Only the monthly premium is different. With Medicare Advantage plans, your costs and coverage aren’t as clear-cut.

Is Medigap better than Medicare?

With Medicare Advantage plans, your costs and coverage aren’t as clear-cut. That’s one of the top reasons why people feel Medigap is better than Medicare Advantage.

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