Could anyone explain what all these Medicare Hotline etc. ads talking about

[kacekwl]

check your zip code and get money back in your SS account and other benefits are all about. I'd check myself but as soon as you type in Medicare online you get bombarded by phone calls and e-mails.

[Casady1]

1. Medicare advantage

if you can afford medicare and supplemental insurance it is the way to go.

[snowybirdie]

2. Medicare Advantage Plans

Trying to get folks signed up as opposed to traditional medicare. Research carefully before signing up. Not for everyone. Many find it good, but many don't.

[Abnredleg]

3. Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurance companies

And not all companies offer the same plans. That’s why you need to check what’s being offered in your area.

[rickford66]

4. I called.

It's for low income people. I don't know the exact funding. The only phone calls it generated is for my car warranty running out.

[wryter2000]

5. My guess

There are two things going on right now because it's the season to sign up/change your coverage. Lots of more or less reputable companies are advertising. Humana, Kaiser if you're on the west coast, Anthem/Blue Cross, etc.

Then there are others that go all year and have to be a scam. The only way I know to add money to your SS check is to drop out of medicare and stop paying for it out of your check. Then, they claim you can enroll in something for free that includes dental, vision, rides to appointments, home delivered meals. These are the ads that have the celebrities in them, such as Joe Namath and JJ Walker.

Do you honestly believe some company is going to add money to your SS check and then give you that all for free? Honestly? It has to be a scam. If you want to check it out, feel free, but be ultra careful.

I would also imagine you could call Tom Hartmann's show and ask about these. I think he's on top of what they are.

BTW I'm 73, not some know-it-all 30-year-old. I have SS and Medicare. I have Kaiser Senior Advantage and love it. However, I have really good coverage because I retired from there. I can't promise how great it would be for anyone else.

[Hoyt]

6. If you get a really skimpy Medicare Advantage plan, you might get some

Last edited Thu Oct 28, 2021, 11:28 PM - Edit history (1)

portion of your standard Part B premium — $148.50 — added back to your monthly Social Security benefit.

But to do that, you’ll likely have to enroll in a plan with higher copays, fewer docs in network, etc.

Personally, I think Advantage plans are generally good, especially if you are not into choosing from any doctor seeing Medicare covered patients. But it’s not good if enrollees take on too much risk.

[kacekwl]

7. Thanks all. I know it's

a way to sell you something .

[Stuart G]

8. I get calls almost every day, trying to switch me to some other plan..

Sometimes 3 or 4 calls a day.
...Most important............ Medicare never calls you.
..... it is all a scam to get you to change providers. The scam artists gets lots of money if you change.