How To Call Medicare
You can call Medicare any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week 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.
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.
You can also access all of Medicares print publications at the agencys website. These may be a quick way for you to find the information youre looking for.
To Qualify For Medicare You Need To Get Disability Benefits From:
- Social Security
- Railroad Retirement Board
Youll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits for 24 months. Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card.
If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.
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Is There A Medicare Phone Number That I Can Call To Check On My Benefits
If youre new to the world of Medicare, you may not know that there are many different ways to check out your Medicare benefits or ask questions about your plans. One of the ways that you can reach a Medicare representative is by calling a dedicated Medicare customer service phone number.
Thats right: where many customer service platforms have moved online in the last few decades, Medicare still maintains a Medicare coverage hotline. Learn more about how you can reach a Medicare representative using the Medicare coverage hotline.
Does Medicare Call You At Home
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When enrolling in Medicare, you should be aware that neither Social Security nor Medicare calls you to get information. Should any issue arise in which Medicare or Social Security needs any information from you, theyll ALWAYS send you a letter to notify you. If youre getting too many spam phone calls, you might want to get on the Federal Trade Commissions Do Not Call list. Medicare beneficiaries are likely to receive phone calls once they become eligible for Medicare
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You can get back to enjoying your day in peace after following any of the ways to put an end to spam calls or most of them anyway. You must be looking for a way to get on the Medicare Do Not Call list. Beneficiaries often see an influx in spam calls when becoming eligible for benefits.
There is light at the end of the tunnel you can register your number with the Federal Trade Commission. Below we can teach you how to join the Do Not Call list. Further, we discuss how to know when Medicare is calling you, and when its a scam.
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Can Someone Call Medicare For You
You can have someone else call Medicare for you, but you will have to take some steps first. Medicare will not give out your private medical information to anyone who calls unless you first give Medicare permission to do so.
You will either have to speak to the customer service representative on the phone and confirm that he or she can speak to someone else on your behalf.
Or you can send an authorization form before the call.
How to Fill Out a Medicare Disclosure Authorization Form
- You can fill out the form online, letting someone call and speak for you immediately.
- You can download and fill out a paper form in English or Spanish that you can mail to Medicare BCC, Written Authorization Dept., P.O. Box 1270, Lawrence, KS 66044.
If you mail in your authorization, it may take a few weeks before permission is granted.
You have the ability to choose how long this authorization will stay in effect. It can be as short as the one call or as long as a lifetime permission. This is helpful when you are caring for an elderly parent or a sick dependent and/or spouse.
How Do I Contact Medicare With Questions
Dialing the Medicare number can get you answers in a hurry. But if you dont want to talk on the phone, its easy to reach Medicare using Live Chat. This service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. You can chat online with a customer service representative and ask all your Medicare questions. Logging into your Medicare account also shows you answers to some common Medicare questions.
Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs
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What Diabetic Supplies Does Original Medicare Cover
Medicare covers the same supplies for both insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetics. They include: Glucose testing monitor, Blood glucose test strips, Lancets, Spring powered devices for lancets, and Glucose control solutions. Some frequency limitations may apply. Medicare does not cover insulin and syringes. Contact your Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier for more information. Check the Important Phone Numbers section of this web site for the phone number.
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.
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What Are The Most Common Medicare Scams
Medicare scam calls are the most common but these schemes can also happen via door-to-door visits, postal mail, or email. Scammers will do everything they can to steal your identity.
In the past, they try to convince their victims to give their names, social security numbers, and other financial information.
Since 2018, new Medicare cards no longer have SSNs. Instead, they feature the beneficiarys Medicare number. However, that didnt stop scammers from stealing information.
Here is the list of the most common and newest Medicare scams:
Add More Robocall Protection
Some of these apps charge a fee, and others offer a free subscription. But some free apps are free only for an introductory period and will automatically begin charging you a fee unless you cancel your subscription before the free trial ends.
These beefed-up services use algorithms, lists of blacklisted numbers, and proprietary technology to filter out suspicious calls and can supplement the call-blocking and labeling functionality of STIR/SHAKEN. They also give you more control to manually choose which calls can come through and which ones to block.
But you should consider potential privacy implications before downloading third-party apps, warns Maureen Mahoney, a policy analyst at Consumer Reports.
There are few restrictions on what these companies can do with your data, so keep in mind that youre trusting developers with sensitive information about your calls, she says.
For even more privacy protection, there are premium services that offer tools such as access to a virtual private network that can safeguard your data on public WiFi networks.
Editors Note: This article has been updated to include the May data on robocalls and how carriers are responding to the June 30 deadline for STIR/SHAKEN technology.
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Long Term Care Options
Paying for long-term care
Long-term care includes non-medical care for people who have a chronic illness or disability. This includes non-skilled personal care assistance, like help with everyday activities, including dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. Medicare and most health insurance plans, dont pay for this type of care, sometimes called custodial care. You may be eligible for this type of care through Medicaid, or you can choose to buy private long-term care insurance. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. Its important to start planning for long-term care now to maintain your independence and to make sure you get the care you may need, in the setting you want, in the future.
How Do I Talk To A Person At Medicare
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The toll-free number is 1-800-MEDICARE . 1-877-486-2048 is the TTY number. This phone line is intended to be a general resource for queries concerning Medicare coverage. Personalized assistance can be found by contacting your local Social Security office.
Social Security offices are located throughout the country. They can provide you with information about Medicare benefits as well as other services such as Social Security disability insurance and unemployment insurance. Each city or town has one local Social Security office which is responsible for informing citizens of their rights and helping them find appropriate services. The office may have a staff member who knows the people in your neighborhood and can answer questions or refer you to someone who can help you.
Social Security offices operate under the direction of the Social Security Administration , which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services . You can contact HHS directly by calling 1-866-447-4034 or visiting www.ssa.gov. Their business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
This free service offers many ways for you to connect with others and learn more about Social Security.
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How To Get Help When You Have Problems With Medicare
Do you have questions about Medicare? Are you having a problem with Medicare coverage or a Medicare claim? Have you searched the web until youre frustrated but not been able to find an answer? Not sure where to turn?
Here are the top six resources for answering your Medicare questions and resolving your Medicare problems.
Who Are The Common Targets Of Medicare Scams
Medicare scammers target the elderly who are Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors of all races, cultures, economic statuses, and backgrounds may be victims of scams.
Medicare scam incidents have increased dramatically, especially at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Medicare reportedly loses $60 billion per year due to healthcare fraud.
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What Happens If A Provider Fails To Comply With This Criterion
If a provider fails to comply with one of these requirements, they will not be able to receive payments from Medicare for services provided during that period of noncompliance.
What other information is needed by providers to give beneficiaries equal access to benefits information through their preferred source? A list of all other sources of benefit information and their addresses/phone numbers must be made readily available to beneficiaries in writing and during visits with their health care providers.
For example, a list of hospitals that participate in Medicaid and those that do not would meet this requirement.
Other Tips To Stop Annoying Phone Calls
If someone calls on behalf of a charity, chances are they work for a for-profit telemarketing company. In that case, you can ask to be taken off their list and off the charitys list.
When someone calls, dont confirm its you if they ask simply ask them why they are calling. If a telemarketer does get you on the phone, explicitly ask to be taken off their list.
If there are a couple of seconds of silence when you say hello, its a robocall waiting to connect you to a live person in a call center. In these cases, just hang up. Another automated call function is when the robocall will ask you to press 1. Dont do this as it will only confirm your identity and lead to more calls.
Fraudsters can put fake numbers on your caller ID, so its hard to trust Caller ID anymore. The best way to avoid these scam calls is not to answer if its a number you dont know.
On cell phones, you can easily block spam callers as well through the cell phones settings feature.
If its debt collectors who are bothering you, learn more about stopping debt collector phone calls on the Federal Trade Commissions FAQs on debt collection.
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How To Stop The Calls
Obviously, you want to stop the calls and prevent this from happening again. Heres what you do:
Medicare Part B Prior Authorization
Part B covers the administration of certain drugs when given in an outpatient setting. As part of Medicare, youll rarely need to obtain prior authorization.
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Although, some meds may require your doctor to submit a Part B Drug Prior Authorization Request Form. Your doctor will provide this form. Once the request gets approval, coverage begins.
Also, CMS has added specific cosmetic procedures to the list of outpatient care. The goal is to prioritize medically necessary procedures.
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Why Do I Need To Record My Medicare Insurance Calls
Because of the complex nature of Medicare, miscommunications between you and a client can happen. Regardless of how clear you think you might be, the intended meaning of the information youre presenting could potentially get lost in translation.
In many cases, misunderstandings between insurance agents and their clients are caused by a now defunct difference between independent agents and TPMOs. As an independent agent, you might feel that big TPMOs use of TV ads gives your clients false information about Medicare plans. From the client side, Medicare beneficiaries have complained that TPMOs send their contact information to independent agents without their permission.
CMS recently collapsed the distinction between TPMOs and independent agents, defining them all as TPMOs. CMS applied additional regulations to the role of TPMOs, with officials saying that these regulations are intended to protect Medicare beneficiaries.
As a result, all Medicare insurance agents, as TPMOs, are now required to record their communications with clients to demonstrate their compliance with CMS regulations. That way, any issues between agents and clients that do happen can be looked into and resolved appropriately.
How To Find Important Information About Medicare
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If youre looking to find important information about your Medicare coverage, the Medicare hotline might not always have the answers youre looking for.
If you have Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Medicare Part D prescription coverage, you may have to go directly to those private insurance providers for answers to your questions.
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When Is The Best Time For Medicare Part D Enrollment
There are different times when you might qualify for Medicare Part D enrollment:
Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D Enrollment
Your Initial Enrollment Period occurs when you first become eligible for Medicare. For most people, eligibility happens when you turn 65. The IEP begins three months before the month you turn 65. It includes your birthday month and the three months following for a total of seven months. During that time, you can enroll in a Part D Prescription Drug plan or a Medicare Part C plan that includes prescription drug coverage.
Fall Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D Enrollment
Medicare also offers a Fall Open Enrollment Period every year that runs from October 15 to December 7. This period allows for Medicare Part D enrollment as well. You can also switch from one prescription drug plan to another during this time.
Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D Enrollment
Special Enrollment Periods or SEPs offer the chance for Medicare Part D enrollment when certain events happen in your life. Those events might include changing where you live or losing your current coverage. If your current plan changes its contract with Medicare or you have an opportunity to get other coverage, you might also qualify for an SEP.