How Can I Contact Medicare By Telephone

The Menu Of Options At 1

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, its helpful to have your most recent Medicare Summary Notice available.

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. If you would like someone else to speak on your behalf or represent you in an appeal, you will need to give a verbal authorization to the Medicare agent.

When you reach the menu, you will be greeted by a Yes or No question asking whether you are calling about a processed or denied claim. If you reply Yes you will be prompted to supply your date of birth and other identifying information. If No, you will hear the following menu that will route your call to an agent based on the reason youre calling.

How Can I Contact Medicare And Social Security Offices

The Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are both federal agencies in the United States. Social Security is responsible for retirement and disability benefits and Medicare is responsible for health care for Medicare recipients who are 65 and older or are under 65 with qualifying disabilities.

While both of these agencies are separate, they both work together in many different ways. This means you may not always know which agency to contact for which services.

This article gives you important information about when and how you should contact Social Security, and when and how you should contact Medicare.

Reasons to Contact Social SecurityYou should contact the SSA if you need help with any of the following services:

To check on your eligibility for Medicare benefits.

To create an account called my Social Security so you can go online to verify your earnings, to get an estimate of your future benefits, or to manage your monthly benefits.

To get the status of a claim.

To get a replacement for your Medicare card.

To report personal changes like your address, name, or phone numbers.

To sign up for Original Medicare Parts A or B.

To get an SSA-1020 application form, or to apply directly over the phone for the Extra Help program for your Medicare prescription drug plan.

To get the address of your local Social Security office.

To report a death.

How to Contact the Social Security Administration

1. Telephone

2. Online

When Should I Not Call 1

Do not call 1-800-MEDICARE if you have specific questions about your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Because these policies are administered by private insurers, you must contact your plan insurer directly . This includes questions on plan premiums, deductibles, claims status, and other issues that are plan-specific.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for general Medicare questions not mentioned in this article.

Jesse Migneault is a journalist and editor who has written about business, government and healthcare including public and private-payer health insurance. His articles have appeared in HealthPayerIntelligence, the Hartford Courant, Portsmouth Herald, Seacoastonline.com, Fosters Daily Democrat, and York County Coast Star.

In addition, his work has been cited by health industry stakeholders such as the Eugene S. Farley Health Policy Center, Association of Healthcare Journalists, American Academy of Actuaries, Kaiser Permanente, blueEHR, San Diego Law Review, Medicare Agent News, healthjournalism.org, and Concierge Medicine among others.

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Write To Insurance Companies

You may write your insurance companies with questions that you have about your coverage. If possible, type up your letter and make sure to keep a copy that indicates the date on which you mailed it.

If you arent able to type up your questions, make sure to write in clear, concise print, leaving plenty of space in between your questions. Be sure to include your contact information in any correspondence that you mail to your healthcare provider.

Before sending mail that contains important documents or your private health information, call ahead and make sure that you have the correct contact information. Mail that is sent to the wrong address is not always forwarded to the right place, especially in places that receive a high volume of mail.

Addresses for major insurance companies that provide Medicare policies:

Aetna Inc.

If your ability to talk on the phone is limited because of a health condition, you can still reach out to Medicare. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 to reach a hotline compatible with their devices.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesOffices of Hearings and Inquiries 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S1-13-25Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

Can Someone Else Contact Medicare For Me

If you want Medicare to be able to give your personal information to someone other than you, you need to fill out an If you have a general question for Medicare that doesnt involve your personal information, someone can call Medicare on your behalf without an authorization form.

New To Medicare?

Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But dont worry, were here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.

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What Information Can I Find At Medicaregov

Medicare.gov contains a treasure trove of contact information and details about Medicare coverage. For contact information, visit the contact page of the website and enter your state or territory then choose the organization or topic from a dropdown menu.

For complete do-it-yourself Medicare access, visit MyMedicare.gov, and set up your own account with a user name and password. Your own MyMedicare.gov account will allow you to:

• view and print a copy of your Medicare card,
• track Original Medicare claims and your Part B deductible,
• register for electronic Medicare Summary Notices ,
• update and manage your medical information ,
• view the Medicare & You handbook electronically,
• update your drug list and pharmacy information,
• manage your providers.

Where Do I Go To Sign Up For Medicare

You can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B in person at a Social Security office near you.

You can also enroll online at www.ssa.gov., or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 .

The Social Security Administration website features a Medicare section that allows you to perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Request a new Medicare cardNew Medicare cards were recently issued to all beneficiaries. You may request a replacement card if yours has been lost or stolen.
• Update your personal informationIf you moved to a new address or changed your name or telephone number, you may update your information online.
• Apply for MedicareYou may enroll in Medicare Part B online or sign up for Medicare Part A .
• Manage your benefitsUse the online portal to check on your applications and appeals, report your wages, check your earnings, set up direct deposit for your benefits payments and more.

The official U.S. government website for Medicare is Medicare.gov. Here you can do a number of things, including:

• Learn about your Medicare coverage options and when you can enroll
• Find out how to get prescription drug coverage
• Find ways to get help paying for Medicare
• File claims and appeals and check claim statuses
• Learn about your rights as a Medicare beneficiary

You may also create an account at MyMedicare.gov to monitor a claim status, view records and expenses and more.

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Blue Cross Group Medicare Options Plans Customer Service

If you are retiring soon, talk with your human resources department or benefit administrator about Medicare options available through your employer or union.

If you are a retiree group Medicare plan member and need assistance with recent enrollment, the status of a claim, or have questions, call the Customer Service number listed on your member ID card.

Were open between 8 a.m. 8 p.m., local time, 7 days a week. If youre calling from April 1 through September 30, alternate technologies will be used on the weekends and holidays.

Best Practices For Calling Medicare Customer Service

Medicare’s phone-based customer support is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and is even open on some Federal holidays. Individuals who are deaf or have a hearing impairment can use Medicare’s TTY/TDD number.

There are several things that you can do to ensure that your call goes smoothly and that you get the information you need or an appropriate resolution to a problem:

First, Make sure that you are calling the right agency:

• Medicare is not the same as Medicaid, which is a federal health program for low-income individuals. You will have to call Medicaid’s central or regional offices if you need help with Medicaid issues.
• If you are trying to find out whether you qualify for Medicare, need to report the death of someone who receives medicare, want to sign up for Medicare Part A or B, order a replacement card, or need to challenge an income-based increase in your Medicare costs, you will need contact the Social Security Administration.

Next, have a way to take notes during your call. Knowing who you spoke to and what was said during your conversation can be helpful if you have to escalate your case. Be sure to add the date and time of your call to your notes.

Finally, make sure you have your Medicare card in front of you, along with any correspondence from Medicare that is relevant to your case.

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Is There A Medicare Advantage Phone Number

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, so you may want to call your plan provider directly with any questions about your Medicare Advantage plan. For general information about Medicare coverage, you can still call 1-800-MEDICARE, even if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Are you considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, changing your current Medicare Advantage plan or enrolling in Medicare Advantage for your first time? 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.

When Can I Enroll In Medicare

Many people become eligible to enroll in Medicare shortly before turning 65 years old.

• Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before you turn 65, includes the month of your birthday and continues for three months thereafter.
• If you are already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits when you turn 65 years old, you will be automatically enrolled and will receive your Welcome to Medicare packet in the mail around three months before your birthday. If you qualify for Medicare under 65 due to disability, you should be automatically enrolled three months before your 25th month of receiving certain Social Security or RRB disability benefits. .
• If you are automatically enrolled, your Medicare coverage begins on the first day of the month of your birthday. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage begins on the first day of the previous month.

In order to be eligible for Medicare, you must be:

• At least 65 years old or End-Stage Renal Disease
• A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• Eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security disability benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits

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How To Call Medicare

You can call Medicare any time, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-MEDICARE . TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

This is the main number for general information about Medicare. Customer service representatives can help with basic questions. But there are other numbers at Medicare or other federal and state agencies that can help with more specific questions or issues.

Other Helpful Numbers

Changing Your Address

1-800-772-1213: If you change your address linked to your Medicare account, you should notify the Social Security Administration.

Report a Lost or Stolen Medicare Card

1-800-772-1213: You should notify the Social Security Administration immediately if your Medicare card has been lost or your ID number has been stolen.

Department of Veteran Affairs

1-800-772-1213: If you are a veteran, the VA can provide information about how Medicare can work with your VA benefits.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program

1-800-701-0501: The SHIP program in your state provides counseling services to help you choose the right Medicare plan and health insurance tailored to your needs and finances. The national hotline can set you up with the program in your state.

You can also use Medicares Helpful Contacts locator to look up contact information for dozens of state and federal agencies along with other organizations in your state.

Find A $0 Premium Medicare Advantage Plan Today

For California residents, CA-Do Not Sell My Personal Info, .

MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.

The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Callers will be directed to a licensed insurance agent with TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc. and/or a third-party partner who can provide more information about Medicare Advantage Plans offered by one or several Medicare-contracted carrier. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc., and the licensed sales agents that may call you are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.

Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

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Other Ways To Contact Medicare

There are several ways to contact Medicare and receive information in a way you can understand and in an accessible form.

When you make a request, be sure to include your name, phone number, type of information you need and the mailing address where you want Medicare to send you the information.

All the Ways to Contact Medicare

Phone

Can I Call Medicare For Help With My Coverage

You can call Medicare anytime for help with your coverage. The number to call is 1-800-MEDICARE . The TTY number is 1-877-486-2048.

This phone number is meant to be a general resource for questions you have about your Medicare coverage. You can check the status of your claims, inquire about your premium and deductible costs, and more.

Here are other important phone numbers for issues relating to Medicare benefits:

• Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services can provide information about upcoming Medicaid events, such as health fairs and seminars. The telephone number for their national office is 1-800-772-1213.

• The Department of Veteran Affairs can give you information about how your military benefits work with Medicare. Their nationwide phone number is 1- 827-1000.

• Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can give you personalized counseling as you choose the Medicare and health insurance options that are right for you. These programs give advice based specifically on the state in which you live. The SHIP national hotline is 1–701-0501.

• To report a lost Medicare card or if you are trying to change your address with Medicare, you may need to call the Social Security Administration office. Their national hotline is 1 772-1213.

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Provider Enrollment Telephone Numbers

Provider Enrollment inquiries that require assistance of a representative should be made to the applicable customer service jurisdiction telephone number and during the specified time.

• Call 866-276-9558 and select Option 2 to reach a specially trianed customer service representative.
• Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

This toll free number is for providers or their representatives who need enrollment information. The customer service staff will not be able to provide status for applications in process. To check the status of your enrollment application, please visit “Checking the Status of Your Application” at .

CGS sends a courtesy letter to providers acknowledging receipt of the application. If the application is complete and accurate it is processed timely. If additional information is required providers will receive a written request within 15 days of our receipt of the application. This request will be by letter, fax or e-mail. Those requests will include the name and phone number of the person processing your application. You may contact that person directly if you have further questions.

How Else Can I Contact Medicare

You can mail your questions or hard copies of documents to:

Medicare Contact Center OperationsLawrence, KS 66044

Or fax Medicare at 1-844-530-3676.

Medicare also has a live chat service that you can use to seek help or information in a text format online. This service is available 24/7.

Currently, Medicare does not offer an email option for general information and questions.

To request information in an accessible format call 1-877-486-2048 or email Medicare at .

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Where Can I Get Free Medicare Advice

If you have questions beyond the scope of the above, were here for you as a Medicare resource. Our services are completely free. If youre considering a Medigap plan, our team of licensed agents will educate you on each option and ensure you choose the coverage thats best for your health and budget.

If youre not ready to call, we have a library of resources on our website to answer all the most frequently asked Medicare questions. From coverage to enrollment periods, browsing our site will help eliminate your confusion. If you have more questions, call the number above, and one of our Medicare experts will find the answer for you.