Got my first call about switching my Medicare.

[multigraincracker]

Put on hold to talk to an agent. Told Bob I’ll call you right back at the number on my caller ID. Did and got nothing.
Be careful as it sounds like a scam to steal your info. Caller ID was a spoof. Go to your local Council On Aging for accurate info.

[murielm99]

1. We already have our appointment with the

Department on Aging. We go every year. When we first started doing this, it was one of the best-kept secrets in the area. We could just walk in and sit down with our information. People started to catch on, and now everyone needs an appointment. We have some paperwork to fill out ahead of time, too.

I am glad more people are using the service. The calls are so annoying. When it comes to scams, many seniors are easy pickings.

[Srkdqltr]

4. What and where is the Department of Aging? Never heard of it.

[murielm99]

5. In Illinois,

it is the Illinois Department of Aging. I go to the senior center where they have helpers. If you are not in Illinois, ask at your local senior center. They are great here. I go to the one in Lee County in northern Illinois. I am sure you can google this. Good luck!

[CousinIT]

2. Good rule is not to give anyone who calls, texts, or mails you (email or snail mail)

any personal info AT ALL. Most are for-profit insurance companies trying to get you on Medicare Advantage, scammers, or insurance swindlers.

Talk to your local SHiP (https://www.shiphelp.org/), Council on Aging, or other non-profit, public-help organizations.

[vapor2]

3. I have sent 2 messages to Whitehouse.org

telling them that Medicare Advantage programs are costing the govt $$$$$$..........Agents that sign you up get approximately $700 per person plus they can and will deny claims. STICK WITH REGULAR MEDICARE

[slightlv]

7. That is excellenr advice if

You weren't tricked into MA like I was. I had no intention on being on anything but Medicare. Little did I know the person who contacted me was a MA broker instead. That was on a Friday.

On Monday I called Medicare myself and told them what happened. Not a hell of a lot of help. Sure, they could switch me over but advised to look at the costs of the supplemental first. Completely outasite if you were previously on MA.

So I'm stuck. I'm not rich enough to afford Cobra type monthly payments for ins that picks up 20 percent of the overall costs. And yes, I feel cheated. I have always been one of the strongest pushers for Medicare for All.

[slightlv]

6. I have one broker i trust.

I called her for an appt first. Have some info to gather, but I'll never again take these brokers at face value. There are just too many scams and evil people.

[Skittles]

8. they are getting more devious now

I saw a TV ad for "Humana Extra Benefits" that sounded suspiciously like Medicare "Advantage" - I checked the website listed and that is EXACTLY what it is.....not enough people are falling for the "Advantage" scam so they are starting to drop that word......