Martin Meyer, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: As long as you don’t have a lot of money in savings or investments, with that income, you should qualify for the Medicare savings program. You can apply at the Medicaid office or on the Medicaid website for whatever state you live in. If approved, the state will cover your Medicare part B premiums, and then you will most likely qualify for a dual special needs plan that will get you extra benefits like help with utilities groceries over-the-counter items, etc.

Answer: There is actually nothing that you need to do. Medicare will send you your new Medicare card three months before your 65th birthday month. If you are well under 65, Medicare signs you up once you have been on disability for 24 months. Just be on the lookout for a letter coming from the Department of health and human services, and your ID card will be in there.

Answer: I like to educate my clients on what original Medicare covers and what does not cover, that way they understand why they need additional coverage. Then I explain the difference between Medicare Supplements, Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage, the pros and cons of all, and help them understand what will be best suited for their needs and budget.

Answer: You will want to ask your doctor if they accept Medicare, as many concierge doctors do not accept Medicare. That’s not to say there aren’t some that do, it’s just many do not. You can still see them with Medicare, you’ll just pay out of pocket if they don’t accept it, and use your Medicare coverage for care outside of that doctor.

Answer: Good job not falling for this! Those plans do exist, however in most areas they are only available to people on Medicaid or folks that have a specific chronic illness. If you are not on Medicaid, those plans also have extremely high copays and out of pocket limits, which the people calling you usually fail to tell you about, conveniently.. Of course a food card would be nice, especially with the cost of groceries these days, but you are usually giving a lot up to get that benefit. One big rule of thumb that I train all of my clients on is this: If ANYONE is calling you unsolicited about Medicare, that should be a major red flag from the get go. As agents, we’re are not allowed to randomly cold call seniors pushing any kind of Medicare plan unless they requested info and gave permission to contact. They are breaking the law even calling you, so how can you blindly trust anything they are telling you about the benefits. Unfortunately, those rules don’t get policed the way they should and the bad actors are out there in full force this time of year.

Answer: I would definitely shop prescription drug plan options during the annual election period, but a specialty drug will be expensive on all plans. Your best bet would be to apply for a patient assistance program through the manufacturer or a third party assistance program. Google the name of the drug, followed by patient assistance program and see what’s available. If approved, it will be covered for next to nothing, and it completely stays off of the insurance. Good luck!

Answer: No. When you are a Medicare Advantage plan, your Medicare Advantage plan becomes your primary, and everything must run through that coverage. Showing the red white and blue card will not help with you using an out of network provider. I would recommend finding a plan that has all of your providers in network during the upcoming annual election period.

Answer: The 5 Star election period is different from OEP & AEP. The 5 Star Election period allows you to enroll in any Medicare Advantage plan that has a 5 out of 5 Star rating at any point throughout the year. If the plan is any less than 5 stars, you cannot use this election period.

AEP allows anyone to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan between October 15th-December 7th.

OEP allows anyone to make a one time plan change to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Prescription Drug Plan between January 1st- March 30th.

Answer: It depends on what kind of coverage you have. If you have a Medicare Supplement, it will go with you wherever you move to. However, you will have to switch your prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage (if that’s what you have) to a new plan that is available in your new area. Moving opens up a special election period where you can change plans outside of the normal annual enrollment period.

Answer: Yes, Original Medicare covers chiropractic care. You should have coverage whether you choose a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage.

Answer: Typically you are enrolled in Medicare once you have been on disability for 24 months. Otherwise, since you are collecting Social Security, you will be automatically signed up, and will receive your Medicare card 3 months before your 65th birthday month.