WHAT IS 1-800-MEDICARE?

1-800-MEDICAR(e) (1800 Medicare)  is the telephone Help Line for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  This is the number you should call for questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses.

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You can also call 1-800-633-4227.  TTY/TDD service is available for the hearing impaired at 1- 877-486-2048.

The help line, with both English or Spanish-speaking representatives, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services are available to all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands.

WHAT DOES THE HELP LINE PROVIDE?

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You can get help with any of the following when you call 1-800-MEDICARE:

• General information and printed materials on Medicare and the Medicare Health Plan options in your area as well as plan quality and satisfaction information in English or Spanish.

• The “Medicare Personal Plan Finder” tool.  It can help you narrow down your Medicare health plan choices and choose the plan that’s best for you.
• Information about the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
• Information on the Medicare-approved drug discount card sponsors.
• The “Medicare prescription Drug Plan Finder” tool.  This tool is on medicare.gov and compares discounted drug prices, prescription drug plans, as well as the enrollment fees, and other program features.
• Medicare providers and suppliers in your area.
• Specific Medicare coverage information.
• The Medicare & You Handbook, in print, audio cassette, and Large Print or Braille versions. Print and audio cassette versions are available in English or Spanish.
• Various Medicare publications.
• Disenroll from managed care plans
• Phone numbers for SSA, your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), State Medicaid Office and more.

AUTHORIZATION, PROTECTION, COMPLAINTS

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You may call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud and abuse or to make a complaint about the quality of a Medicare-covered service.

While the 1-800-MEDICARE number can provide a huge amount of information, your personal information is protected.