Medicare Basics

The Hotlines: 24/7 Access to Medical Care

Many Medicare plans offer access to a medical professional from home, 24/7 via telephone.

Although not every plan offers this service, many that do also require pre-registration for use.

The easiest way to find the service phone numbers provided by your plan is to look at the back of your Plan Member card. Most insurance companies print the number directly on the card, while others suggest calling Member Services or may require registration for telehealth services before they can be used. Because every carrier handles these benefits differently, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your resources.

Did You Know?

These services are included at no additional cost.

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These hotlines connect you with a licensed professional who can help you by listening to your symptoms, recommend the most appropriate level of care, and answer general health questions.

Many plans also include virtual doctor visits through services such as Teladoc, Doctor On Demand, Amwell, or their own in-house telehealth platform. These services are different from a nurse advice line. The hotline can help you before being seen but cannot prescribe or dictate your care, while a telehealth visit connects you with a licensed medical practitioner who can evaluate your condition, prescribe many common medications when appropriate, and recommend follow-up. Some plans require members to create an account before their first virtual visit.

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