Your Medicare Plan Enrollment Call
You can enroll on the website or by phone when you enroll through Via Benefits Insurance Services. Use the Shop & Compare feature to compare your plan options and enroll on the website or call us at 1-866-322-2824 (TTY: 711) for plans that require you to call to enroll or if you prefer to enroll by phone. We recommend you reserve a time to call to reduce your wait time by giving you a specific time to speak with a licensed benefit advisor*. However, you aren't required to reserve a time.
An introductory meeting may be offered with a Via Benefits ambassador, depending on your employer. You don't have to attend an introductory meeting to schedule an appointment with a benefit advisor.
Enrollment Methods
Enrolling on the Website
Enrolling on the website is a convenient option. This gives you time to research plans and enroll at your own pace.
You always have the option of calling to speak with a benefit advisor. If no appointments are available, you can call us without an appointment, however, hold times may vary.
If you enroll on the website, please make sure the following information is correct in your Profile:
Your name, Medicare Number, Part A effective date, and Part B effective date
Your Home Address (where you physically live, ZIP, and County and State are particularly important)
Primary Phone number
Note: Some plans require you to call Via Benefits to complete the enrollment process.
Enrolling by Phone
During your enrollment call you can expect to talk with professional, pleasant, and knowledgeable individuals who can answer your questions, help you find the right health coverage for your needs, and help you complete your applications accurately.
If you previously called and would like to speak with the representative you enjoyed dealing with before, that representative may not be available due to other scheduled appointments or high call volume. When you call for your appointment, rest assured you're routed to a benefit advisor who's equally qualified to help with your enrollment.
If you enroll by phone, please have the following pieces of information readily available:
Your Medicare Card with your Medicare number and effective dates for Parts A and B
A list of your prescriptions, including dosages and frequency
Your doctors' names and addresses
Your payment information, just in case you decide to purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy that may require the first month's premium payment at the time of application
We also recommend you make a list of any questions you may have ahead of time.
Note: Enrolling by phone takes one to two hours per person, and you must complete your own application unless you have or are a Power of Attorney.
Scope of Appointment
If you haven't already completed the Scope of Appointment, a Via Benefits representative reviews the Scope of Appointment with you prior to your scheduled call. This is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement to ensure you understand we talk with you about various plan types and that you agree to the conversation. The representative also lets you know that the benefit advisor who discusses your coverage options during your scheduled appointment is neither employed nor contracted by a Medicare plan, doesn't work for the federal government, and may be paid based on your enrollment in a plan.
Additional Information About the Scope of Appointment:
It’s for your protection. It ensures no products are discussed beyond what's agreed.
It’s only required when completing enrollments over the phone.
Because it’s a CMS requirement, the benefit advisor is unable to proceed with the enrollment until the Scope of Appointment is completed.
The benefit advisor isn't paid on commission; however, we‘re still required by CMS to state the benefit advisor may be paid based on your enrollment in a plan.
Reserve a Time to Call
The most convenient and secure way to reserve a time to speak with a benefit advisor is on the Via Benefits website.
To reserve a time to call on the website, follow these steps:
Sign In and select View appointments under Speak To An Expert.
Please note: You must sign up with Via Benefits if you haven't already.
2. Select who is participating in the call.
3. Select Open Agreement Form and select either Agree or Complete During Appointment, then select Save and Close.
Note: If you agree, you show as having signed the agreement.
4. Select the date and time you would like to call us.
Note: Confirm the time zone is correct. If not, select the current time zone to change it.
5.Review the appointment date and time at the bottom of the page.
6. Select Save and Confirm to reserve the appointment.
7. A summary of the appointment appears on the Scheduled Appointments page. Note the Change and Cancel Appointment links.
Please call us at the scheduled time. You won't receive a call from us.
If you miss your appointment, you may call us at 1-866-322-2824 (TTY: 711) at your convenience (hold times may vary).
Whether your appointment was scheduled over the phone or on the website, you have the option to change or cancel it on the website.
Your Enrollment Call
When you call for your appointment, we start by verifying your identity. Then the benefit advisor asks questions to determine which plans are right for you. Once you choose a plan, we assist you in completing the application.
Establishing Your Identity
Each time you contact us, we’re required to verify your identity and confirm we're looking at the correct record in our system. We ask you to verify your full first and last names, date of birth or ZIP Code, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. This process protects your personal information from being accessed by unauthorized callers. After your identity is verified, you're transferred to a benefit advisor.
Analyzing Your Needs and Selecting a Plan
The benefit advisor confirms your profile information is correct (your home address, ZIP Code, Medicare Number, etc.) and verifies your prescription list and doctors unless this was completed on a previous call.
Questions about your current insurance help us establish your enrollment opportunity and avoid conflicts with any additional coverage.
You're asked a series of questions designed to determine which kind of plan meets your needs. The benefit advisor narrows down your plan options and discusses with you specific plans available in your area that fit your needs.
Completing the Application
Once you choose a plan, the final step is completing the application. We recommend you complete the application on the website. It's the fastest way to complete the application. If you prefer, the benefit advisor can transfer you to a representative who’s trained to accurately and efficiently help you complete a verbal application. The time this takes depends on how many applications need to be completed.
To complete an application over the phone, Medicare and the insurance carriers require all of the basic information about the plan and all legal disclaimers be read to you. Then you can make a formal voice signature over the phone. We’re strictly monitored for compliance with all Medicare and insurance carrier rules and requirements.
Note: You may have to repeat the same information for each application to meet Medicare and insurance carrier rules.
After Enrollment
Within two weeks, whether you enrolled by phone or on the website, you're sent a letter from Via Benefits confirming your selection. This isn't your approval letter from the insurance carrier, rather a confirmation we submitted your application.
Within two to three weeks after your enrollment, the insurance carrier may contact you if there are questions about your application or if additional information is needed. If such contact occurs, please respond quickly, as the application process may be delayed until any issues are resolved. If you have questions about any communications from the insurance carrier, please contact us.
*Our licensed benefit advisors specialize in health insurance for retirees. They go through annual training and certification to ensure they can help you make an informed and confident decision.
