Albert Smith, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: To answer quickly, No!! As long as your wife has creditable coverage provided by her employer, you would be covered. Your Initial enrollment period would be delayed until she loses her coverage.

Answer: To answer in the fewest words NOTHING! You have the option of signing up anytime after you reach the required age, and you or your spouse has the necessary 10 years of work history. My recommendation is to sign up for Part A and defer Part B until she or he leaves the job!

Answer: Yes, my advice is to enroll in Medicare, Parts A and B. Part A is no cost if you have paid FICA taxes for 10 years or 40 calendar quarters, and Part B has a premium for the year 2026 of $203.90 monthly. My understanding is that VA healthcare is not considered a credible option, as determined by the Centers for Medicare Services. The VA Prescription plan is credible, and you don't need to select a prescription drug Plan. Also, you will need to purchase a dental/ vision plan if you only have original Medicare.

Answer: That information is incorrect. Medicare is a health insurance plan provided by the U.S. government. Its purpose is to provide you with access to health care, such as doctors and hospitals. Life insurance is to provide you with a benefit after you have passed away.

Answer: It is time to switch your medicare plan when you are not getting the services you need and deserve. You may not have access to services in a timely manner, and you don't feel valued.

Answer: What's the difference between a medicare broker and a medicare agent. Usually a medicare agent is a person who works for a particular company and has that companies products as his or her only product option. They are considered a captured agent. A Broker has product options from may companies and is not beholding to any one company or providor. They can provide a product that better fits the need of the client. They have more options!

Answer: I feel that including persons under the age of 65 in the pool of medicare eligibles would hurt the program. It would dilute the services seniors receive and would lend itself to the socialization of healthcare.

Answer: Yes, Preventive screenings are covered by Medicare. Some of the many screenings are abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings, Cardiovascular disease screenings, Cervical & vaginal cancer screenings, and Colorectal cancer screenings. These and other screenings are to keep abreast of your health as you age.

Answer: To answer your question, It would depend on how long you have been disabled and if you are receiving Social Security disability payments. Another determinate is the duration of your disability.

Answer: To answer your question, I need more information. Did your place of employment have a credible Health Insurance plan, and do you participate in it? If so, you should contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B. Next, you will have to decide whether to get a supplemental Plan with a Part D Plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan, or stay with Original Medicare. You can research and find what fits your needs, or call a licensed and Certified Medicare Broker for assistance.

Answer: Well, the question today is I applied for a Medigap plan and got denied because of my health history. How is that legal when you've paid into Medicare for years? A Medigap plan, first you need to know the difference between Medicare and a Medigap plan. If you're not in your open enrollment period, when you have to accept you or a special guaranteed issue time frame, then you are subject to what they call underwriting. Underwriting, they take it for a Medigap, which is a supplement plan. It's a supplement to Medicare. It is not Medicare. It just pays what Medicare does not pay. So if your health doesn't fit the particular company, you can find other companies that might fit, but a particular company does not have to accept you. If you have certain health conditions, it kind of raises their costs. But what you have, you have an option. You have an option. You can go with what's considered a Medicare Advantage plan. And that Medicare Advantage plan will cover most things that relate to your health history, regardless of what it is, given certain times of the year. So those are your options. Medigap is a supplement, and the supplement has pre-existing conditions. If you're not within your guaranteed time frame, you're not able to get it. But we're here to help you, we'll help you along the road to find out.

Answer: The question is, why not just call the insurance carrier directly? You can call each of the many companies in your area to inquire about the plans and their coverage options. Are you aware? First, you will need to research which carriers are in your particular service area. Next, choose the particular company. Then you’ve got to research to find if your providers or your doctors are in that particular plan. Next, check if your medications are in the chosen plan and what other options you have. Do they have everything you need, such as dental, vision, and health coverages? This information can be provided by any well-versed agents. Just give us a call, and we’ll definitely spend our time instead of you wasting a bunch of your time doing the same thing. We can do it quicker than you can and give you the information so you can sit back, relax, look it over, and then make a choice and give us a call. Thank you. Have a great day.

Answer: You are missing the necessary information to pick the Best Medicare Plan for you. Everyone has different needs. A plan may suit one individual but not another. You need to determine your health concerns, medications, finances, and mobility.

Answer: I couldn't answer that question without gathering more information on your health.

After an evaluation, I could offer you HealthCare options.

Answer: No, IRMAA does not go away. You should notify Social Security so that they can reevaluate your income.

Answer: The Center for Medicare Services requires it, our government entity that establishes the rules for all sales of Medicare Part C and Part D plans. The Scope of Appointment(SOA) limits sales to the items you, as the client, agree to be educated on! NO, call centers use a telephonic agreement.

Answer: The question is, what are the benefits of working with a local agent versus a remote agent? We can start by saying that personalized face-to-face service is a big advantage. In-person meetings allow for clearer communication, which is especially helpful for those who have computer issues. You can actually bring physical documents, which are easier to handle than scanning and uploading. Plus, you can meet that individual in person, which often builds trust and rapport. You may feel more comfortable with local advice, and local agents tend to build long-term relationships with clients and even help with family members directly.

A local agent likely knows the general doctors in the area, hospitals, and specialists available for various Medicare Advantage or supplemental plans. They are also aware of local healthcare trends that affect carrier reputations. An agent can help you fill out forms correctly during a meeting and often handle submission for you, saving time and avoiding errors. If something goes wrong, such as billing issues or claims confusion, a nearby agent can often meet with you quickly to resolve it.

Many local agents, like myself, host free one-on-one sessions, which can be helpful if you're a new agent. That's just some of the information available to you if you work with a local agent versus a remote agent. At times, it can be hard to get a hold of the same individual when working remotely. Usually, if it's a local agent, they're within driving distance, and they can provide better service. Their goal is to meet with you to keep you as healthy as possible. If you need anything else, give me a call. Thank you.

Answer: In my Opinion, Yes, if it is the only option available to you. Supplemental insurance is another option if you can afford the cost.

Answer: It can be considered secondary to Medicare, as it covers what original Medicare does NOT cover. Medicare covers 80 percent of your Part B costs, and Part A has copays.

Answer: You should consider your finances, present health, and relocation plans. Then you can just weigh your options.

Answer: There isn't a trap! You need to understand how to use it for your HealthCare needs.

Answer: Yes, you can. You must be 65+ or disabled for 24 months, and then you must pay a premium for parts A and B.

Answer: Yes, Medicare can cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people with type 2 diabetes who meet specific criteria. Coverage is available under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment. To qualify, you must have a diagnosis of diabetes and either be taking insulin or have a history of problematic hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Your doctor must also prescribe the monitor and confirm that you've received adequate training on its use.

Answer: Most plans require you to get a referral from your Primary Care doctor. Usually, a specialist is the physician doing the surgery and wants to get paid.

Answer: In my opinion, they are supposed to be informative. Most agents are there to help you understand the complexity of Medicare and to guide you to the plan the provides for your needs.

Answer: It will depend on your particular Medicare plan coverage. Please consult your Evidence of Coverage to determine the benefits available to you.

Answer: No, Medicare Advantage Plans are not free. You may have a zero premium plan, but copays and coinsurance are your responsibility. Your Part b Premium has to be paid to keep the coverage.

Answer: We are trained and certified to give you accurate and timely Information. We provide the services you need when you need them.