Medicare Advantage Consumer Tips

• Understand your current coverage and the details and terms for other insurance plans you may be considering.
  
  
• Not all doctors or hospitals accept all Medicare Advantage plans. Check with your doctor(s) and hospital to be sure they would accept another plan.
  
  
• There may be a monthly premium to pay, as well as out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays and deductibles in an Advantage plan.
  
  
• Medicare Supplemental Insurance, also known as Medigap insurance, does not coordinate with any Medicare Advantage plan. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you will not need a Medigap policy.
  
  
• If you have other health insurance, such as an employer plan through retiree coverage, check with that plan before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. You could lose that coverage by enrolling in Medicare Advantage.
  
  
• Insurance agents cannot sell door-to-door. They are not allowed to come to your house without an appointment. They are not Medicare representatives. The federal Medicare program would never have a representative contact you to sell anything.
  
  
• If you do make an appointment for a home visit, you should do the following:
  
  
• Get the agent’s name, company name and phone number. Then call back to verify the agent is who they claim to be. If you have any doubts, Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program can assist you in learning more about the agent and the company: 1-800-803-7174.
  
  
• Be sure to have a trusted family member or advocate with you at the appointment. They can help you review your current coverage and any other plan you may be considering, and ask important questions.
  
  
• Do not be pressured into making a quick decision. Give yourself time to consider your options. The insurance agent can wait a few days until you are confident about making the best choice.

Source: Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program