Protect yourself against Medicare Advantage fraud
The annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans begins November 15 and lasts through December 31, 2007. While these plans may be a good deal for some people, they’re not right for everyone. The Texas Department of Insurance cautions consumers to consider carefully before making any changes to their Medicare coverage and to beware of deceptive and fraudulent Medicare sales practices.

Here are some tips to help you protect yourself:
• Your choice of providers in an MA plan may be restricted. Before joining a plan, always personally confirm with your doctor and other providers that they will accept the plan. Don’t take a salesperson’s word for it!

• Don’t buy anything from a salesperson who comes to your home uninvited. It is illegal to sell MA plans door-to-door. Plans may market by direct mail and by telephone, but they must comply with the “do not call” registry.

• Don’t be fooled if a salesperson claims to be with Medicare or Social Security, even if he or she shows you an official-looking identification card. Medicare and Social Security do not make home visits or unsolicited phone calls. An agent may not enroll you in an MA plan over the phone unless you made the call.

• Be careful about giving out your Medicare number or other personal information. An unethical salesperson can use this information to remove you from original Medicare and enroll you in an MA plan without your knowledge.

• Don’t sign anything you haven’t read and don’t fully understand.

• Don’t believe a salesperson or agent who tells you that an MA plan won’t affect your original Medicare coverage. If you enroll in an MA plan, it will provide your health coverage instead of original Medicare. Some salespeople may try to tell you that MA plans are Medicare supplement insurance (commonly known as Medigap). They’re not. Medicare supplement insurance fills in the “gaps” in original Medicare by paying some of the costs that original Medicare won’t pay. Medicare Advantage, however, entirely replaces your original Medicare coverage.

• Take your time to decide. Don’t buy anything from a salesperson who tries to pressure you into making a quick decision. Medicare offers online tools to help you learn about your options and find a plan that’s right for you. Visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call the Medicare Help Line at 1-800-633-4227.

To request more information please CLICK HERE