Amanda Holder, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: That's a great question. I'm sorry that you weren't informed about how a plan change works for your Part D prescription drug coverage.

First, your insurance agent should have properly completed a needs assessment, discuss your medications, deductibles (if any), drug tier levels including if there is a need for a prior authorization, cost, and Maximum Out of Pocket for the year. This important step is key to gaining knowledge about your Part D plan.

Secondly, you should have received an enrollment guide for the plan. This document can provide you with additional information about your medications and authorization requirements.

Finally, you should have received contact information for the insurance carrier. The carrier can provide you additional information and provide you with the Evidence of Coverage. This document is the contract agreement for your plan. Hopefully, in the future, you'll be equipped to ask better questions upfront BEFORE you change plans again.

Answer: That's a great question. Private hospitals can accept Medicare plans if they choose to accept the Medicare assignment or agrees to be contracted with a Insurance Carrier who has a contract with Medicare. The best way to know for sure is to contact your insurance carrier or the private hospital to see there is an acceptance of Medicare plans.

Answer: That is a great question and there are lot of reasons that some hospitals may not be taking Medicare Advantage plans. The most important thing to remember is to check with your healthcare plan to determine whether the hospital you want to use is contracted with your plan.

Answer: The Medicare star rating SEP is for Medicare Advantage plans that have a Medicare star rating of overall started at 5 and can be sold year round. AEP begins October 15th and ends December 7th. OEP begins January 5th and ends March 31st.

Answer: When someone asks about a zero premium. I share with them that the premium is the cost just to have the plan before any other services are used. I advise them with a Medicare Advantage plan that they may have other co-pays or co-insurances associated with other benefits such as doctor office visits, specialists, or medication.

Answer: There is rapid growth in enrollment into Medicare Advantage plans. There's also an increase in spending on medications for many Medicare eligible. Someone who may use a Medicare Advantage plan may have challenges with increased copays and coinsurances as time goes on.

Answer: Well I don't have a specific answer about what Medicare should or shouldn't do. It is important to remember that Medicare is a governmental agency that oversees Medicare plans and they are not able to discriminate against people based upon race, creed, color, sexual orientation or other identity.

Answer: The way you can check to see if her current doctors are in the network of providers for the carrier that she's looking to switch to, she can reach out to the carrier who has the plan and ask for them to verify the providers name and information is contracted with that carrier. She can do this before she makes a plan change.

Answer: One way to learn if a Medicare agent is legitimate is to ask him or her for their insurance license from their state. Then you can ask them for information form their carrier to confirm that their carrier is reputable. Although this is not always a guarantee, after you've confirmed that they are licensed and appointed, you can check on social media. But the best way is to verify their license information.

Answer: Because I'm not licensed and appointed in South Carolina I am unable to comment about the best Medicare plan. Also, I'm not allowed to use the term best and describing Medicare Advantage plans.

Answer: You don't need to complete any forms to say that you are currently on your husband's health insurance if it is credible coverage. When you are ready to leave his employer coverage and you are ready to sign up for Medicare Part B, You will need to complete a form with your husband's employer to show that you had credible health care coverage to the employer.

Answer: The reason you should work with a Medicare Agent is because they are licensed, certified, and trained professionals to help educate you on Medicare plan insurance. A Medicare agent can help you to assess your health care plan needs, discuss with your Medicare plan options, help you to enroll in the Medicare plan of your choice and help you with any challenges that you may have with using your plan as well as update you on changes to Medicare or your Medicare plan.

Answer: It depends on where you are moving to. Medicare Advantage plans are based on service areas. You may need to make a plan change if the plan isn't offered in the area that you are moving to. You may also need to change your providers if they are not serving the rural area you're moving to. It's recommended that you reach out to your current Medicare Advantage carrier to find out what your options are and provide them your new zip code so you can get the most accurate information.