What does the FCC require of phone service providers?
Aug 13, 2021 · The representatives at 1-800-Medicare can help you with claims and appeals issues if you have Original 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 …
What is the number to call for Medicare questions?
Dec 17, 2021 · 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the official Medicare phone number that beneficiaries may call for help with their coverage, claims, payments and more. You may call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and help is available in both English and Spanish as well as for the hearing impaired (the TTY Medicare toll-free line is 1-877-486-2048).
Does the FCC have a duty to release your phone number?
May 29, 2019 · Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don't share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For more …
What is the FCC and why is it important?
You will need to select “unwanted calls” as the Phone Issue and then “all other unwanted calls” as the sub-issue. If you received an unwanted call from an international number in a format other than 555-555-5555 , you can report the number in the “Additional I nformation” field on the complaint form.
Why would a scammer want my Medicare number?
Offers of free medical supplies- scammers may say they need to verify your coverage and ask for your SSN or Medicare Number. At times, they even request a credit card number, stating that it is needed to cover shipping costs for the free supplies.Jul 21, 2021
Does Medicare solicit by phone?
Medicare will never call you! Medicare may need information from you or may need to reach you; but, they'll NEVER call. You'll get a letter that will notify you of the necessary information that Medicare needs. Long story short, if the calls you're receiving claim to be from Medicare, it's a spam call.
Does Medicare call and ask for your Medicare number?
Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will only call and ask for personal information in these 2 situations: A Medicare health or drug plan may call you if you're already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you.
Is it safe to give out Medicare number?
Treat your Medicare card like it's a credit card. Don't ever give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare provider. Never give your Medicare Number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other free offer. Dishonest providers will use your numbers to get payment for services they never delivered.
Should I give my Medicare number over the phone?
Don'ts. Don't share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text or email or shows up unannounced at your door. Don't send or give your old Medicare card to anyone.
Does Medicare ever call your house?
Medicare will never call or come to your home uninvited to sell products or services. SSA representatives may call Medicare beneficiaries if they need more information to process applications for Social Security benefits or enrollment in certain Medicare Plans, but, again, this is rare.May 24, 2021
Does Medicare send text messages?
Sending you Medicare messages: If you give us permission, we'll send you emails and text messages. We also may use the phone number you provide to call you about Medicare services.Apr 25, 2018
What if someone has my Medicare number?
If you get a call from people promising you things if you give them your Medicare Number — don't do it. This is a common Medicare scam. Refuse any offer of money or gifts for free medical care. A common ploy of identity thieves is to say they can send you your free gift right away — they just need your Medicare Number.Sep 15, 2021
Why is Medicare Advantage being pushed so hard?
Advantage plans are heavily advertised because of how they are funded. These plans' premiums are low or nonexistent because Medicare pays the carrier whenever someone enrolls. It benefits insurance companies to encourage enrollment in Advantage plans because of the money they receive from Medicare.Feb 24, 2021
What is the Medicare phone number?
Medicare provides beneficiaries with an easy-to-remember 800 number: 1-800-MEDICARE. (That’s 1-800-633-4227.)
When can I call Medicare for help?
The toll-free phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before you dial though, remember that almost all Medicare-related questions...
When should I call 1-800-MEDICARE?
Beneficiaries can call the toll-free Medicare number to: ask whether certain services are covered, get detailed information about Medicare health a...
How else can I contact Medicare?
You can mail your questions or hard copies of documents to: Medicare Contact Center Operations PO Box 1270 Lawrence, KS 66044 Or fax Medicare at 1-...
What information can I find at Medicare.gov?
Medicare.gov contains a treasure trove of contact information and details about Medicare coverage. For contact information, visit the contact page...
Where else can I get Medicare advice?
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) are free volunteer-based Medicare counseling services available in each state. These programs pr...
When should I call Social Security instead of 1-800-MEDICARE?
Although Social Security and Medicare are linked in many ways, the Social Security Administrations manages enrollment and eligibility for Medicare...
When should I not call 1-800-MEDICARE?
Do not call 1-800-MEDICARE if you have specific questions about your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan. Because these policies are adminis...
What is the number to call for Medicare?
These are the times when you should call Social Security (1-800-772-1213) instead of Medicare: to verify your Medicare eligibility, to report a death, to request a replacement Medicare card,
What to do before dialing Medicare?
Before you dial, be prepared with a list of the topics you want to talk about and questions you need answered. Make sure to have your Medicare number – and if you are inquiring about a claim or appeal, it’s helpful to have your most recent Medicare Summary Notice available.
How much is Medicare Part A deductible?
Currently, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,408 per benefit period in 2020, and Part B is $198 per year.
What is the number to call Medicare?
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the official Medicare phone number that beneficiaries may call for help with their coverage, claims, payments and more. You may call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, ...
What to do before calling 1-800-MEDICARE?
Before calling 1-800-MEDICARE, have your Medicare card ready in case the representative needs to know your Medicare number. If you are calling with a question about a claim or a bill, have the bill or the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) handy for reference.
What are the benefits of Medicare?
Most people receive “premium-free” Part A of Medicare. This can include: 1 Anyone who worked and paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters (10 years) 2 Those who receive or are eligible to receive retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board 3 People who worked in Medicare-covered government employment (or have a spouse who did) 4 Anyone who receives disability benefits or has End-Stage Renal Disease and meets certain requirements
How much is Medicare Part A deductible?
The Medicare Part A deductible is $1,364 per benefit period in 2019. The deductible for Medicare Part B is $185 per year for 2019. Deductibles for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans will vary from one plan to the next and can change every year.
What is Medicare Part A and Part B?
Medicare Part A and Part B (also call Original Medicare) cover a wide range of services, so it’s understandable why so many beneficiaries call 1-800-MEDICARE with questions about whether or not a particular service or health care product will be covered by Original Medicare.
How to contact Medicare Advantage?
A licensed insurance agent can help answer any questions you have about Medicare Advantage plans and can help you compare plans that may be available in your local area. Speak with a licensed insurance agent today by calling. 1-800-557-6059. 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who is Christian Worstell?
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options. .. Read full bio
Consumer Complaint Center
Do you receive unwanted calls or texts from telemarketers? Is your own telephone number being spoofed, blocked, or labeled as a possible spam call?
File a Complaint
We do not resolve individual unwanted call complaints, but your complaint provides valuable information that we use to inform policy decisions and as the basis of potential enforcement actions against callers violating our rules. Concerns about this issue generally fall into two categories:
What is 211 call?
Dialing 211 helps direct callers to services for, among others, the elderly, the disabled, those who do not speak English, those with a personal crisis, those with limited reading skills, and those who are new to their communities.
What is 211 number?
Dial 211 for Essential Community Services. In many states, dialing “211” provides individuals and families in need with a shortcut through what can be a bewildering maze of health and human service agency phone numbers. By simply dialing 211, those in need of assistance can be referred, and sometimes connected, ...
How to get a FCC number?
Steps to Getting an FCC Registration Number (FRN) 1 Go to the Commission’s Registration System (CORES) and Click Register. 2 Answer whether the FRN is for an individual or business and whether the address for the contact is within the U.S. and click Continue. 3 Complete the registration information and click Submit.
Who collects the TIN number?
As a result of the DCIA, the FCC and other executive agencies collect the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from each individual or organization doing business with a federal agency, including applicants for, or recipients of, a federal license or permit.
What is a TIN number?
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). For individuals this is a Social Security Number and for businesses this is an Employer Identification Number. The name of the individual or business. Type of business. Contact information.
What Does The FCC Actually do?
Minimizing Unwanted Calls
- As this is one of the most common consumer complaints, finding effective ways to stop harassing telemarketing calls has been a top priority of the FCC. The fastest method of blocking unwanted marketing calls is to directly ask each telemarketer to place you on their “do-not-call list”, as well as interface with your service provider to inform them of the problem. If necessary, t…
Caller ID Spoofing
- To “spoof” the caller ID of a phone number means to unlawfully make calls while masking the outgoing caller ID with someone else’s number. There is no reliable way to prevent it from happening, but you can handle it quickly and stop the spoofer by reporting it to your service provider, as well as the FCC, right away. If you gather as much information about the incident as …
Phone Number Porting
- To “port” your phone number means to switch service providers and/or carriers, while keeping your existing number. The FCC has set forth rules and procedures for porting your phone number to a new provider, which lends some organization to the process but unfortunately can also make it complicated. That said, the FCC does mandate that a service provider has to allow subscriber…
Getting The Porting Process Started
- You may request service from a different company at any time. When changing companies: 1. Review your current contract. Your contract may contain early termination fees and/or outstanding balances that you are obligated to pay. 2. Do not terminate your service with your existing company before initiating new service with another company. 3. Contact...
Are There Fees For Porting?
- Companies may charge you to port your number, but you can ask whether any fees can be waived or negotiated.
- Once you request service from a new company, your old company cannot refuse to port your number, even if you owe money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.
How Long Does The Porting Process Last?
- FCC rules require simple ports, which generally do not involve more than one line or more complex adjustments to telephone switching equipment, to be processed in one business day. You may be able to use your phone within a few hours for changes among wireless service providers. However, porting from wireline to wireless service may still take a few days.
Service Issues For Wireline to Wireless Transition
- If you port from a wireline phone to a wireless phone, there may be a period when you have two telephones with the same number. Ask your new wireless company whether you will be able to continue using your current wireline number during the one-day transfer process. Wireless 911 location and callback services (where available) may be affected during the transition. Calls sho…
Porting Is Not Always Possible
- If you are moving to a new geographic area, you may not be able to keep your current phone number when changing providers. Also, some rural wireline service providers may obtain waivers for the porting requirement from state authorities. Their customers may be unable to port their number to a new provider. If you are unable to port your number for that reason, contact your sta…