Reader Alert!!! Many individual health plans now have Medicare Advantage plans in their arsenal of plans for those turning 65. Many of the plans are marketing those new to Medicare extremely hard. Beware if it looks too good it just might be!!
Toni:
Please give me some guidance. I am turning 65 in July and currently I have a very popular A rated individual health plan which I have had for over 10 years. Recently, they sent me a package with an insurance card in it for their Medicare Advantage plan.
I did not ask for this and in the welcome letter it asked me to call and give them my Medicare number. This seems just so deceptive and I was wondering how they know I want this plan. I keep receiving a call from this company asking me for my Medicare number. This is making me very nervous because I don’t want to make a mistake. What would happen if I gave them my Medicare number?
About 5 years ago I had cancer which was treated at MD Anderson. I do not see their name in the provider directory, but the plan says if they are out of network that I might pay more.
Can you explain to me what my options are? With having cancer I am very concerned? Charlotte, Bellaire, TX
Ms. Charlotte:
Many individual health plans are now in the Medicare Advantage arena and market very hard to get the turning 65 Medicare business. Most turning 65 do not realize how valuable “their” Medicare dollars are. These are “your” dollars that you worked so hard for and you can use these dollars however you want.
Never give anyone your Medicare card number with the Part A and B dates over the phone. With that information, telemarketers or customer service reps can enroll a person to a Medicare Advantage plan over the phone.
I consult with those turning 65 everyday and have witnessed many individual health plans sending enrollment packages with directories, summary of benefits and even an insurance card that one can begin using even though that individual had never enrolled in that specific Medicare Advantage plan. I really do not know how this can be done, but it is being done every day. I want my readers to be aware and informed of what is happening when turning 65 with an individual health plan.
If you happen to get one of these packages from your health insurance company and you do not want that specific plan, here is what you should do:
1) Call the insurance company customer service and let them know you did not want to enroll in that specific Medicare Advantage plan.
2) If they do not disenroll you, then call Medicare at 1/800-MEDICARE (633-4227) and let the Medicare customer service rep know you do not want that plan.
3) Take your time when chosen what type of Medicare plan you want whether it is a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan. Both are good type of plans and can fit your Medicare needs.
Choosing between a Medicare supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan can be trying for some. Some go to the doctor a few times a year and some visit the doctor more. Medicare is not cookie cutter…one size does not fit all!!
If you get Medicare marketing material which absolutely confuses you, then contact me by email at www.tonisays.com/ask-toni and I can help you sort through your Medicare options.
Confused about Medicare” Workshops for May 2014 Contact Toni if you would like a workshop for your church, organization or a company lunch and learn.
- Friday, May 30 from 1:00 PM -3:00 PM –The Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston, TX 77084. RSVP at 713/274-3250. Toni’s special guest will be a spokes person from Social Security.
Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide®, which is a simple guide that puts Medicare in “people” terms, is on sale at www.tonisays.com Email questions or to schedule a “Confused about Medicare Workshop” to www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
