Medicare Helpline

What Is the Best Medicare Helpline to Call?

Below is a list of Medicare helplines you can reach out to. In addition to the entries on this list, many municipalities have local agencies geared toward helping older adults with a wide range of concerns, including Medicare and Medicaid enrollment. These agencies are sometimes called Office for the Aging or Department for the Aging. A Google search may be helpful for identifying nearby agencies with helplines where you live.

Medicare.gov

Medicare is a federally run insurance program. For that reason, many people like to use the official government phone number listed on Medicare’s website as a starting point. There is also a chat option you can use on that page.

You can call Medicare to ask questions about many topics, such as finding a plan, billing, existing claims, and your medical records.

If you’re already enrolled in Medicare, make sure to have your Medicare number handy when you call.

• The phone number is 800-633-4227, TTY: 877-486-2048.
• The helpline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on some federal holidays.

QuoteManage

SeniorLiving.org partners with QuoteManage to help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries  find the Medicare plan that’s right for their budget and medical needs. QuoteManage is a national telesales brokerage firm that specializes in Medicare insurance. You can contact QuoteManage for help with Medicare plan availability anywhere in the U.S.

You can call its helpline to get a no-cost, no-obligation Medicare plan consultation from a licensed insurance agent.

• Its phone number is 877-931-0173, TTY: 711.
• Its hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)

SHIP is a national program that provides one-to-one support to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers and family members. SHIP is run by the Administration for Community Living’s Office of Healthcare Information and Housing (OHIC).1

The best way to use SHIP is by finding the phone number listed for your local SHIP office. You can do that by using SHIP’s locator tool.

• You can also call the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center as a starting point. Its number is 877-839-2675.

Medicare Rights Center

The Medicare Rights Center is a national nonprofit organization based in New York. It can work with you to identify and find affordable Medicare plans you may be eligible for.

• Its number is 800-333-4114.
• Its hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

SSA is the government-run agency that is in charge of processing your application for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). You can call SSA to ask general questions about Medicare or to get a Medicare replacement card. You can also call SSA to request an application form to apply for help with Medicare prescription drug costs.2

• Its number is 800-772-1213, TTY: 800-325-0778.
• Its hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday

Center for Medicare Advocacy (The Center)

The Center is a national nonprofit law organization that helps people with longer-term and chronic conditions access Medicare and health equity. You can ask for information about eligibility and enrollment. You can also ask about other topics, including coverage options and appeals.

• Its number is 860-456-7790.
• Its hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

How Does a Medicare Coverage Helpline Work?

Some Medicare helplines are run by licensed insurance agents who can work with you to identify Medicare plans that are available in your area. Plan types that licensed insurance agents sell are:

• Medicare Advantage (Part C)
• Medigap (Medicare supplement plans)
• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)

Government and nonprofit helplines are more geared toward helping you obtain information about Medicare and the types of coverage that you may be eligible for. These types of agencies may also work with you to ascertain your eligibility for ancillary programs, like Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs.

What Questions Can a Medicare Helpline Anwer?

Before you call a Medicare helpline, it may help to write down all of your questions. Some questions you can ask include:

• When can I enroll in Medicare?
• What’s better for me: Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan?
• If I don’t like the plan I chose, can I change it? If so, when?
• Can I find a Medicare plan that doesn’t have a monthly premium?
• I’m moving. Can I keep my current plan?
• I was recently diagnosed with a health condition. Should I change to a Medicare Advantage Special-Needs Plan?
• How do I keep my current doctor if I’m going on Medicare?
• I didn’t enroll in a Part D plan when I got Original Medicare. What should I do now?
• I was turned down for Medicare coverage. Can you help?
• I’m turning 65 but I love my current health insurance plan. Can I keep it and also enroll in Medicare?
• I need a plan that covers hearing aids. What should I do?

For more information, visit our guide to Medicare and Medicaid.

Beware of Scams!

You can call Medicare, but Medicare will never call you. If someone calls you and says they’re a government agent representing Medicare, it’s a scam. When in doubt, hang up. Read our guide to scams that target seniors to learn more about what to look out for.