Celebrating 10 years as a Medicare Specialist, October 2018
Medicare Made Simple, LLC
Theresa Cangemi CSA, CLTC
Office: 315-676-4933 
Fax: 866-476-1211
Hello!

IF you are making changes to your current Medicare plan for next year (2020) during the Annual Enrollment Period, please call me in October to schedule a time to meet to consider your other options and complete the necessary paperwork.

Let's talk about what to be on the look out for during this Annual Enrollment Season, approaching.

In the Health Corner, I talk about eating a plant-based diet.

*The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is October 15th to December 7th*

Keep reading!

Theresa Cangemi CSA, CLTC
"The Medicare Lady™" 
BEWARE DURING THIS AEP SEASON & WATCH FOR
RED FLAGS
Scams happen every day and with our current technology the scam artists are getting more crafty. I personally get emails daily that say my bank account was frozen, needs to be verified, my password was changed … AND …. I don’t even bank or have accounts at these banking institutions.

Regarding Medicare …. Let’s watch for some of these common Red Flags:
  1. The doorbell rings and someone offers help with your Medicare changes
  2. A person claims they are from Medicare or Social Security
  3. A person claiming that they are from a Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan
  4. A person or agency asking for an enrollment fee or premium
  5. A person asking for your personal financial or identifying information
  6. A caller claiming to be from the government and needs to check your Medicare or Social Security number
  7. A threat that you will lose your Medicare coverage
  8. Someone claiming that you can no longer pay cash at the pharmacy counter and needs your credit card or debit card on file
  9. Someone claiming that Medicare is no longer offering certain plans and will discontinue offering certain private plans (like Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, and Prescription Drug plans); but this someone is pitching a plan that offers similar benefits.
Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, and Prescription Drug plans are offered by private insurance companies like United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, Wellcare, etc.

These private insurance companies have a contract with the Federal Government to offer these plans in the marketplace and are subject to compliance and regulation under HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid).

These agencies, including Social Security, will not just show up at your home. Medicare prohibits anyone coming to your home uninvited to sell any kind of Medicare insurance. Medicare also prohibits these private insurance companies and their agents (and/or agencies) from cold-calling you on the phone. 

If you agree, invite, or fill out an online reply card and request a call or at-home visit then you have requested to be contacted, which IS allowed.

Medicare says that no one can charge a fee to enroll you in a Medicare plan, which is an illegal charge.

Never give out your Social Security or Medicare ID number even if someone calls and says they from the Federal government and they need to check your Social Security or Medicare number. This someone may say, if you don’t provide this information then you will lose your Medicare coverage. 
DON’T fall for this! The government has your number on file and you can’t lose your Medicare benefits by refusing to give out your number.

If anyone calls and says or claims to be from Social Security or Medicare and states you have a refund coming and asks for your banking information in order to pay out your refund directly to your account. DON’T fall for this! 

If someone claims that you can no longer pay cash at the pharmacy counter and they need your credit card or debit card on file. DON’T fall for this! 
You can pay for your prescriptions in many ways: cash, credit, debit, etc.

By the way, Medicare is NOT going out of business. Medicare plans are not being discontinued. DON’T fall for this!

IF one of these situations does happen to you, there is a way to report these scams.  

  • First, hang up the phone, shut the door, or just keep walking. 
  • Second, report the scam to the Attorney General Office or the Insurance Commissioner or Medicare.  
  • Medicare can be contacted at 800-633-4227.
  • Inspector General of the US Department of the US Department of Health and Human Services 800-447-8477
  • The Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on dealing with identity theft: www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacy-identity or call the help line at 877-382-4357.

Be aware, Be informed, Be safe!

EATING A PLANT-BASED DIET
When eating a plant based diet consisting of mainly fruits and vegetable, whole grains, nuts, and legumes (beans) we're 23% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. A healthy plant based diet provides your bodies ability to improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, reduce weight gain, and alleviate systemic inflammation.

Did you know when you walk into a grocery store, the fruits and vegetables that are right in front of you (at the entrance of the store) is where most of the food in your shopping cart should be chosen from. Most everything you need to sustain a healthy body and mind is right there.  My tip for the day.

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PO BOX 757
Brewerton, NY, 13029
Office:
315-676-4933