Medicare is administered by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS). This is a division of Social Security charged with setting the rules and guidelines of Medicare and Medicare related matters. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans fall under this umbrella. If you are in original Medicare then Medicare will pay any claims. If you select a Medicare Advantage Plan, then Medicare pays the insurance company to administer the claims.
Medicare oversee's the operation of Medicare programs but does not directly administer the program.
When you call 1-800-MEDICARE you are actually talking to a private contractor call center. These are private sector employees. They do not work for Medicare.
Similarly, your claims are paid by insurance carriers and TPA's who are contracted to adjudicate and pay claims.
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When you call 1-800-MEDICARE you are actually talking to a private contractor call center. These are private sector employees. They do not work for Medicare.
Similarly, your claims are paid by insurance carriers and TPA's who are contracted to adjudicate and pay claims.