How do I find the best Medicare plan 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.
How can I talk to someone about my 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.
Who provides the best Medicare coverage?
Best Medicare Advantage Providers RatingsProviderForbes Health RatingsCMS ratingBlue Cross Blue Shield5.03.8Cigna4.53.8United Healthcare4.03.8Aetna3.53.61 more row•Feb 25, 2022
When should I start looking at Medicare plans?
When your coverage startsIf you sign up:Coverage starts:Before the month you turn 65The month you turn 65The month you turn 65The next month1 month after you turn 652 months after you sign up2 or 3 months after you turn 653 months after you sign up
Can I call Medicare on behalf of someone else?
You can either give verbal permission over the phone for the customer service representative to speak with someone else on your behalf, or fill out an authorization form in advance.
How do I ask Medicare a question?
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.
What does 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.
What are the 4 types of Medicare?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug 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.
How long before you turn 65 do you apply for Medicare?
3 monthsGenerally, you're first eligible starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you might have to wait to sign up and go months without coverage. You might also pay a monthly penalty for as long as you have Part B.
Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare?
Medicare will enroll you in Part B automatically. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you're not getting disability benefits and Medicare when you turn 65, you'll need to call or visit your local Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
Does Medicare start on birthdays?
Your Medicare coverage generally starts on the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday falls on the first day of the month, your Medicare coverage starts the first day of the previous month. If you qualify for Medicare because of a disability or illness, in most cases your IEP is also seven months.
Medicare Eligibility, Applications, and Appeals
Find information about Medicare, how to apply, report fraud and complaints.What help is available?Medicare is the federal health insurance program...
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 to the Social Secur...
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Part D of Medicare is an insurance coverage plan for prescription medication. Learn about the costs for Medicare drug coverage.EligibilityPrescript...
Replace Your Medicare Card
You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed:Log into your MyMedicare.gov account and reque...
Medicare Coverage Outside the United States
Medicare coverage outside the United States is limited. Learn about coverage if you live or are traveling outside the United States.Original Medica...
Medicare Eligibility, Applications, and Appeals
Find information about Medicare, how to apply, report fraud and complaints.
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.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Part D of Medicare is an insurance coverage plan for prescription medication. Learn about the costs for Medicare drug coverage.
Replace Your Medicare Card
You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed:
Medicare Coverage Outside the United States
Medicare coverage outside the United States is limited. Learn about coverage if you live or are traveling outside the United States.
Do you have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
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.
How do I talk to someone about Medicare eligibility?
You can make an appointment with a Social Security representative at your local office by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227.
How do I contact Medicare?
You can also call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227. Finally, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free counseling and education to help you choose coverage. You can go online to www.shiptalk.org to find a counselor in your area. Show More.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Does the Social Security Office Help With Medicare?
Social Security enrolls you in Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance). Medicare provides your healthcare coverage, but the SSA needs to determine your eligibility for Medicare and whether or not you’ve paid Medicare taxes long enough to get part A for free.
How Do I Make an In-Person Appointment With the Social Security Office?
To make an in-person appointment with the Social Security office, first, find your local office at this SSA Office Locator website and input your ZIP code. Your local office location, hours, and contact numbers are listed there.
How Do I Contact the Social Security Office via Phone?
Find your local office here for office hours and phone number or contact SSA at the national toll-free number: (800) 772-1213; TTY: (800) 325-0778. You may experience lengthy wait times.
How Do I Contact the Social Security Office via the Internet?
The best place to start if you want to contact Social Security via the internet is to search for ssa.gov. Set up a free My Social Security account or log in to your existing account to access your online services.
Learn More From Our Sources
SSA | Who Do I Contact? Social Security or Medicare? | Last accessed February 2022
Medicare Special Enrollment Period
Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period .
Get Our Help With Changing Medicare Supplement Plans
So just remember, the Annual Election Period in the fall is for Part D drug plan changes and Medicare Advantage plan changes only. Certainly, you could leave a Medicare Advantage plan during this time and apply for a Medicare supplement instead. But in most cases, the insurance company will perform medical underwriting to see if you qualify.
Dont Stick With Coverage That Isnt Working For You
The wrong Medicare Advantage plan could put a huge strain on your retirement budget and cause you to neglect your health and thats not what you want. If youre unhappy with your current plan, take advantage of the option to switch.
Your Preferred Providers Are No Longer In
One downside to Medicare Advantage is that unlike Original Medicare, it limits you to a specific network of providers.
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
The Initial Enrollment Period only happens once. It starts at the beginning of the month three months before your birthday and lasts for seven months . So if your birthday is in June, your IEP starts April 1st and ends September 30th during the year when you turn 65.
The Real Disadvantage Of Medicare Advantage Plans
In Understanding Medicare in 4 Easy Steps, we outline how to determine if Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare and a Medigap plan is the best option for you. To paraphrase, we suggest that theres a single fundamental difference that helps most people make the right choice.
Fall Medicare Open Enrollment For Medicare Advantage Plans
Interested in signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan? There are certain times when you can enroll, and one of them is during Fall Medicare Open Enrollment .
