Medicare Helpline: Beware of Misleading Advertising
If you turn on the television from October to November, then you’ll likely be bombarded with ads for the Medicare Coverage Helpline. In these ads, former Jets quarterback Joe Namath implores you to call the number at the bottom of your screen to get extra benefits on your Medicare coverage. Such benefits include dental coverage, Part B premium givebacks, and $0 monthly premiums.
The catch is that the Medicare Coverage Helpline and similar services are not run by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. When you call, you’ll be connected with someone whose goal is to sell you a Medicare Advantage policy — whether or not it’s the best option for you.
Pro Tip: Not sure where to start with Medicare? Read our 2024 comprehensive guide to Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) vs. Original Medicare
So, what’s the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (otherwise known as Part C)? Here are the answers, straight from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Public vs. private: Original Medicare is administered by the federal government. Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, is health insurance from private companies.
- Referrals: Original Medicare doesn’t require you to get a referral to see a specialist, while the opposite is true with Medicare Advantage.
- Network coverage: While Original Medicare lets you go to any hospital or doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, Medicare Advantage limits you to those in your plan’s network.
- Dental and vision: Original Medicare lacks dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, has these benefits.
- Medigap: Original Medicare does not have an annual limit on your out-of-pocket expenses unless you have Medicare Supplement Insurance, otherwise known as Medigap. Medigap can pay for these out-of-pocket costs, like your coinsurance, which is 20 percent after you pay your deductible. With Medicare Advantage, you cannot buy Medigap. However, your plan will have an annual limit for out-of-pocket spending on Parts A and B, and hospital and medical insurance.
Let me be clear: Medicare Advantage is a good option for some seniors. But whichever option you go with, it’s essential to be aware of what type of policy you have.
Which Medicare Helpline Can You Trust?
The “Medicare helpline” you can trust is the one run by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The number is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), and the line is available 24/7 — except for some federal holidays. Calling this number will get you answers to your questions related to coverage, different Medicare Advantage plans, Part D (drug) coverage, and any other questions you may have.
The other option is to contact your local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). These programs connect you with personnel who can counsel you on which plan to choose and assist you as you sign up. There are SHIP locations in every state, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
So, what Medicare helplines should you not trust? Any other ones. Avoid hotlines that offer additional benefits, call you aggressively, or are sponsored by a health insurance company. You want to speak with someone who will help and inform you, not someone who wants to make a sales commission. Or, if you’d rather do more research on your own, read my complete guide to Medicare.
How to Compare Your Options
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs from October 15 to December 7 every year, with coverage starting on January 1 of the following year. During this period, companies get aggressive with their marketing tactics: barraging you with calls, texts, emails, and paid advertisements. Remember, there are private companies that stand to make a lot of money by switching your coverage to Medicare Advantage. This is why it’s important to avoid corporate helplines.
Instead, to compare your options, you should work with an insurance broker you can trust. Brokers, as opposed to agents, represent you to various companies and shop the market; agents represent a company itself. In other words, agents will only push you to sign up for the company they work for.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does Medicare have a helpline?
Medicare does have a helpline. The number is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
-
Is Medicare Advantage better than Original Medicare?
Whether Medicare Advantage is better than Original Medicare depends on what you’re looking for. If you’d like to have coverage for dental, hearing, and vision, you may prefer Medicare Advantage. However, with Medicare, you’ll have a larger network of healthcare providers. Plus, you won’t need a referral to see a specialist.
-
Can I trust the Medicare Coverage Helpline?
The Medicare Coverage Helpline’s goal is to sell you a Medicare Advantage policy. Because of this, we don’t think you should trust their advice. Instead, you should call the CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) Helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE.
