Who do I call when I have a Medicare problem?

Medicare problems usually fall into a few buckets, and the right call depends on what went wrong.If a claim was denied or a bill looks wrong, start with the plan that denied or billed you. Every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan has a member services line, and most billing issues can get resolved there. If you have Original Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE.If you're not getting a satisfactory answer, or you feel like you're being given the runaround, that's when you call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as SHIP. SHIP counselors are trained, unbiased, and free. They don't sell plans. They help you understand your rights, file appeals, and navigate disputes.If you believe Medicare or a plan made an error in your coverage or billing, you also have formal appeal rights. Every plan is required to explain how to appeal a decision. Don't ignore a denial without checking whether it's worth appealing, because many denials get overturned.For fraud or billing abuse you suspect is criminal, the number is 1-800-HHS-TIPS, which connects to the Office of Inspector General.And if you're just confused and not sure what bucket your problem falls into, an independent Medicare agent can often point you in the right direction at no cost.

Related Medicare Resources

• Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
• Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
• Medicare Supplement Plan G
• Compare Medicare Plans