10/15/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2021 23:29
During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which begins on October 15 and ends December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can choose the plans that are best for them for 2022. You can get help comparing Medicare plans from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), available in each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia. Private insurance companies administer, market, and sell Medicare Advantage (MA, Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), so it's important to understand your rights and some of the limits on marketing. That way you'll be prepared if an insurance broker or agent tries to enroll you in a Medicare plan that isn't right for you.
Know your rights
If you request an appointment with an agent to visit or call to talk about your Medicare coverage options, remember you have certain rights and agents must follow the law:
After you pick the plan that's right for you, be sure you get all the details in writing before you sign up. Take your time to read all information and verify details. For example, before you sign up, reach out to your doctors to ensure they are in that plan's network.
Report a marketing violation
There are limits on how companies and agents selling Medicare plans can contact you and what they can say. For example:
If you notice one of these marketing violations, please tell your local Senior Medicare Patrol.
Protect your medical information
Scammers might call and pretend to be Medicare representatives or agents in an attempt to steal your Medicare number or other personal information. They can use a fake CallerID name to impersonate Medicare or another organization you know. Don't trust the name displayed on your phone's CallerID screen. If anyone calls and asks for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank or credit card information, hang up. A scammer can use your personal information to file false claims, sign you up for a plan to which you didn't agree, or even steal your identity.
For more information and help reporting Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, visit smpresource.orgor call 1-877-808-2468. To report an impersonator who pretended to be from Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE and visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you think someone misused your personal or financial information, report it at IdentityTheft.govand get started on a recovery plan.
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