MEDICARE SECTION - Part I

RANDOM CALLERS – Don’t Give Out Your Personal Information – DO THIS INSTEAD

Several clients of mine received calls where the person on the other end of the phone stated they were from their Medicare insurance plan and wanted to discuss programs that are offered to Medicare eligibles to help certain Medicare eligibles, who qualify, will receive help with their Part B premiums and/or prescription drugs.

BEWARE: I have not been able to tell, yet, if these callers are actually from the insurance companies (your Medicare Advantage plan) or scam calls.

One client was asked by the caller to verify his address. DON’T DO THIS! If your Medicare insurance company is calling you they should have your address and personal information already.  

• INSTEAD, ask the caller, “What address do you have listed for me?” etcetera.  

• INSTEAD, you can (hang up and) call the Member Services number on the back of your Medicare Advantage plan to ask them directly if the call they are receiving (from the unknown caller) is legitimate? 

Don’t give out your personal information. You never know who is calling you.

ALSO, calls from an unknown are a good way for the caller to “cross-sell” you into a different Medicare plan. Some of my clients have reported that they did not even know that they got signed up into a different plan. The caller will start talking about the MSP program to save on your Part B premium or the LIS program (also called the Extra Help program) to save on your prescription drugs and then the caller PIVOTS into different Medicare plans they can offer you. Or, PIVOTS into extra benefits “you are missing out on.” You can always call me for questions and to verify information you heard about, instead.

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Terms:

• MSP program = Medicare Savings Program

• LIS program – Low Income Subsidy program (also called the Extra Help program)

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CALLS FROM AGENTS OR AGENCIES MAKING RANDOM CALLS IS

AGAINST OUR AGENT COMPLIANCE AND REGULATIONS. 

An agent/agency could get written up and reprimanded, let go and not allowed to sell, and/or complaint filed with the State. 

This random caller was not given permission (from you) to call you. Instead, they purchased a list of individuals who are Medicare eligible to get information and to possibly get you to change your plan. If you change your plan with another agent or agency, you lose me as your “Agent of Record” for servicing (which is also how I get paid).

Bottomline, be careful what information you give out when someone calls you! Don’t confirm your personal information. 

If you have any questions, you can always call me and I can redirect you to the government agencies instead where you can apply directly, for savings programs offered by the government that are also based on income.

MEDICARE SECTION - Part II

For example, if you need help with paying your Part B premium (for 2023 = $164.90), then you would actually call Medicaid who oversees this program. The program is called the MSP or “Medicare Savings Program.” When calling Medicaid, you would not necessarily qualify for full Medicaid but could qualify for just help with your Part B premium.

The LIS/Extra Help program helps you with the cost of your prescription drugs.

Both of these programs are income based.

Here is an article and income limits for the program:

HEALTH SECTION

CAUSES FOR JOINT PAIN and How To Feel Better

As we age our joints and muscles tend to stiffen up. But what really is causing all this? Is it just age or can we avoid stiffness and pain?

“Conventional medicine usually offers two choices: prescription drugs that come with their own set of problems. Other options are potential surgery down the road.”

“Instead, simply understanding what’s causing your symptoms allows you the opportunity to address and resolve joint issues at their source.”



Here is an article that explains all: