Who should beneficiaries refer to for questions regarding denied benefits or plan changes?

Beneficiaries should refer to Medicare for questions regarding denied benefits or plan changes because Medicare is the federal program that administers health coverage for individuals aged 65 and older, and for certain younger people with disabilities. Medicare has the most accurate and comprehensive information about its policies, benefits, and procedures, including the appeals process for denied claims.

Contacting local health departments, insurance agents, or financial advisors may provide some related assistance, but these sources do not have the same level of access to Medicare's specific guidelines and the most current information about beneficiary rights and options. Therefore, for issues specifically pertaining to Medicare benefits, including understanding why a claim was denied or how to navigate plan changes, Medicare is the primary and most reliable source of information.