Medicare Coverage | Tips

Medicare must approve Medicare plans sold by companies. For a list of approved plans, contact the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program at (800) 686-1578 and www.ohioinsurance.gov, or Medicare at (800) 633-4227 and www.medicare.gov.

Don’t rush to decide. Talk with family and friends and use services provided by professional organizations before you select a plan. You have time to shop around — even if you already have a plan — and to make a decision. The enrollment deadline is midnight Dec. 31.

Do not be pressured to make an immediate choice, and do not provide personal financial information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers or credit card numbers over the telephone. Plan representatives cannot initiate a sales call.

Contact your health care providers to verify they accept the plan you’re considering before you purchase it.

Before you purchase a Medicare product, call the Ohio Department of Insurance’s hot line at (800) 686-1526 to find out if any complaints have been filed against the company and/or agent and that they are licensed.

Contact OSHIIP with any questions, and for enrollment assistance beginning Saturday.

Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to see if you qualify for Part D financial assistance.

If you feel you have been a victim of a predatory sales practice, call the Department of Insurance’s fraud and enforcement hot line at (800) 686-1527.

Source: Ohio Department of Insurance