Designed to enlighten and astonish
A patient can change their Medicare Advantage coverage outside of the normal enrollment calendar in “special situations.” How many special situations does the government recognize?
A. 2
B. 8
C. 12
D. 18
E. 20
The astonishing answer next week.
And now, last week’s answer
Your patient finds themselves in a Medicare Advantage plan she didn’t remember signing up for (also known as “getting slammed”). She likes her old plan. She comes to you for help. Which one should you NOT do:
A. advise her to call her insurance company and ask them to undo the change.
B. advise her to find a reputable agent, settle down into an “insurance home,” and have them fix the problem.
C. call the Medicare help line.
D. call their congressman’s office.
E. All are ok.
The answer is C.
The Medicare helpline is associated with busy signals, long waits on hold and inaccurate advice.
Any of the other options are fine.
We’ve sent more than a few patients to their congressman’s office when all other options have been exhausted. Usually, their problem gets fixed with one phone call.