National Processing Center

Have you seen a card in your mailbox telling you that you qualify for more Medicare Benefits? The purpose of this card is to get you to provide them with your phone number. Once you send in your phone umber you will receive call from different insurance companies. 

Is this a SCAM?...No but it does trick people into receiving calls from other Medicare agents. No one receiving Medicare is suppose to receive a phone call unless it is from their agent or their insurance company. Unless you give them permission to call you. By law, this card is their permission to call you.

This card is sent by the National Process Center which is a government office for census. They already have your information on record so they are fishing for leads. Below is some information from their website.

Original Medicare Compared to Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare is a federal government health program. Medicare Advantage is a private health insurance plan. Medicare Advantage plans were created as an alternative to Original Medicare. 

What is Medicare Advantage

Medciare Advantage must support Parts A & B. Many of them also support Plan D which are the prescriptions.

Original Medicare supports Plan A and B but you must purchase Plan D from a private insurance company for prescriptions.

With an Advantage plan, you will use the plan’s network of providers, which is usually local.  You will pay co-payments when you receive healthcare services

Original Medicare allow you to go to any doctor accepting Original Medicare. You do not have to worry about being in network. 

10 Things to Know about Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage Health Plans

1. People with Original Medicare are on a government health plan.
2. People on Medicare Advantage are on a private health plan.
3. Medicare Advantage Plans are required to provide the same services as Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans exceed the Medicare requirements and offer additional benefits.
4. Your current doctor and hospital accepts Original Medicare and many Medicare Advantage Plans.
5. People with Medicare Advantage policies have the same rights and protection as people with Original Medicare.
6. Original Medicare covers Part A services: hospital, inpatient care, skilled nursing facility and hospice
7. Original Medicare covers Part B services: doctor, medical services, labs and outpatient care
8. Original Medicare does not cover Part D services which are prescription drugs. You have to purchase a prescription drug plan.
9. Medicare Advantage Plans cover parts A, B & D services all in one plan. They call it Part C.
10. You can try Medicare Advantage and if you don’t like it return to Original Medicare.