Texas Department of Insurance<\/p>\n
Consumer Protection \u2013 Mail Code 111-1A<\/p>\n
CONSUMER ALERT<\/p>\n
333 Guadalupe
\nP. O. Box 149091
\nAustin, Texas 78714-9091
\n1-800-252-3439 telephone
\n512-305-7463 fax<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.tdi.state.tx.us<\/a><\/p>\n Consumer Tips for the 2010 Medicare Enrollment Period<\/strong><\/p>\n The annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage health insurance plans Private companies that contract with the federal Centers for Medicare and CMS adopted rules to guide sales practices and to protect consumers from * Must be licensed by the state. Remember: While these plans may be a good deal for some people, they\u2019re not Here are some tips to help you protect yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n Verify that the salesperson and company are licensed. It is illegal to sell Before joining a plan, always personally confirm with your doctor and other Don\u2019t buy anything from a salesperson who comes to your home uninvited.<\/p>\n Be cautious if you\u2019re not dealing with a trusted agent whom you\u2019ve worked Be careful about giving out your Medicare number or other personal Don\u2019t sign anything you haven\u2019t read and don\u2019t fully understand.<\/p>\n Be very cautious with any advertisement or salesperson that implies they Don\u2019t believe a salesperson or agent who tells you that a Medicare Advantage Take your time to decide. Don\u2019t buy anything from a salesperson who tries When meeting with salespeople, ask questions about things you don\u2019t Before you enroll in a Medicare drug plan, make sure the plan covers the Help fight Medicare fraud<\/strong><\/p>\n If you believe you were misled or pressured into enrolling in a Medicare Report fraud or other agent misconduct to TDI. TDI is pursuing disciplinary
\nand Medicare Part D prescription drug plans begins November 15 and ends
\nDecember 31, 2010.<\/p>\n
\nMedicaid Services (CMS) offer Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D drug
\nplans. The plans change each year, and it’s up to each beneficiary to choose
\nwhether to change to a new plan or keep their current plan for the upcoming
\nyear.<\/p>\n
\nimproper marketing activities. The rules apply to all Medicare plans,
\nagents, and any contractors who work for these plans. Plans and agents:<\/p>\n
\n* May not make unsolicited contacts, including door-to-door sales, cold
\ncalls or approaching you in a parking lot.
\n* Must have an appointment in advance before coming to your home.
\n* Must arrange with you in advance the type of products that will be
\ndiscussed during a scheduled sales appointment. They may not attempt to sell
\nyou other types of insurance coverage other than the type agreed upon in
\nadvance.
\n* May not try to sell you non-health care related products (like a life
\ninsurance policy or an annuity) during a sales or marketing presentation of
\na Medicare plan.
\n* May not attempt to sell you a plan in a doctor\u2019s office or in a pharmacy.
\n* May not attempt to sell you a plan at an educational event.
\n* May not offer you free meals at promotional or sales events.
\n* May not offer you gifts or other promotional items with a value greater
\nthan $15.<\/p>\n
\nright for everyone. TDI cautions consumers to consider carefully before
\nmaking any changes to their Medicare coverage. You should have received a
\nnotice from your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan that
\ndetails the changes in benefits and costs to your plan for 2011. Review
\nthese changes carefully.<\/p>\n
\ninsurance in Texas without a license. To verify a license, visit the TDI
\nwebsite at http:\/\/www.tdi.state.tx.us <\/a>or call TDI\u2019s Consumer Help Line at
\n1-800-252-3439.<\/p>\n
\nproviders that they will accept the plan. Don\u2019t take a salesperson\u2019s word
\nfor it.<\/p>\n
\nwith previously. Don\u2019t be fooled if a salesperson claims to be with Medicare
\nor Social Security, even if he or she shows you an official-looking
\nidentification card.<\/p>\n
\ninformation. While an unethical agent can use this information to enroll
\nyou in a Medicare plan without your knowledge, you could also fall victim to
\nother types of fraud. You could become a victim of identity theft or you may
\npurchase products that are harmful or worthless to you.<\/p>\n
\nhave an \u201calternative\u201d to Medicare.<\/p>\n
\nplan won\u2019t affect your original Medicare coverage. If you enroll in a
\nMedicare Advantage plan, it will provide your health coverage instead of
\noriginal Medicare. Some salespeople may try to tell you that Medicare
\nAdvantage plans are Medicare supplement insurance (commonly known as
\nMedigap). They are not. Medicare supplement plans fill in the \u201cgaps\u201d by
\npaying some of the costs that original Medicare won\u2019t pay. Medicare
\nAdvantage, however, entirely replaces your original Medicare coverage. Your
\nMedigap policy only works with original Medicare.<\/p>\n
\nto pressure you into making a quick decision. Medicare offers online tools
\nto help you learn about your options and find a plan that\u2019s right for you.
\nVisit the Medicare website at http:\/\/www.medicare.gov<\/a> or call the Medicare
\nHelp Line at 1-800-633-4227.<\/p>\n
\nunderstand. Take notes. Write down the salesperson\u2019s name, address, phone
\nnumber, and anything he or she told you. It\u2019s a good idea to have a trusted
\nfriend or family member with you when you talk to the salesperson.<\/p>\n
\nprescriptions you take. Get help using the Plan Finder search tool
\navailable at http:\/\/www.medicare.gov<\/a> to review the Medicare prescription drug
\nbenefit and the plans available to you.<\/p>\n
\nAdvantage plan, or were enrolled in a plan without your knowledge, you have
\nseveral options. Call the Medicare Help Line at 1-800-633-4227 and explain
\nwhat happened. Ask to re-enroll in original Medicare or to switch to
\nanother plan that better meets your needs. Also, call the plan \u2013 not the
\nagent \u2013 and report the problem.<\/p>\n
\naction against agents who mislead or deceive people to sell Medicare
\nAdvantage plans. We need your help to gather information to protect you and
\nother potential fraud victims. To report fraud or misconduct and to file a
\ncomplaint, visit the TDI website at http:\/\/www.tdi.state.tx.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n