Reply #5: mysuzuki2 is correct but be aware when you are dealing with Medicare [View All]

you're actually dealing with an insurance company. Depending on the state you reside it could be CIGNA, BCBS, AETNA, Palmetto,
Cahaba. Cigna just sold their Medicare contract to BCBS who is being sued and investigated by the Department of Justice for price fixing
and antitrust violations. They all bid for federal Medicare contracts on a continuing basis. The Federal Government does not actually have people in their employee that administer Medicare. One carrier may be better at doing their job than the other.
CIGNA's Part B states are Kentucky, North Carolina, Idaho and Ohio. BCBS of South Carolina will be taking over from them.

I didn't realize that a corporation under investigation by the DOJ would be able to buy a contract outright.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2011/03/department-of-justice-investigating.html
http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2011/pr0224_01.pdf