Angela Tapp, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: When you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, the provider (Doctor, Hospital, Clinic, etc.) has to submit a prior authorization to the plan (UHC, Aetna, etc.) to approve your procedure. It is standard procedure.

If you need to have a plan review to find out what is and is not covered for your knee replacement surgery, please reach out to us directly to schedule a consultation.

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Answer: Since they do not qualify for Medicaid, dropping all supplemental coverage is highly dangerous. Instead, the best path forward is looking into Medicare Advantage.

Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums. Your parents will have to pay copays as they use the plan, but the plans have Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limits. Once they hit that limit in a calendar year, the plan covers 100% of their medical costs, giving them the exact financial safety net they need without the heavy monthly premium of a Plan F.

They can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period with no underwriting.

Answer: The biggest mistake seniors make is prioritizing short-term extra perks over long-term financial protection. Far too often, people place a greater value on flashy ancillary benefits—like healthy food allowances or grocery cards—instead of focusing on core medical costs like Inpatient Hospital copays, Specialist visit copays, and Urgent Care copays. Choosing a plan based on minor perks rather than medical exposure can lead to devastating consequences.

A single unexpected inpatient hospital stay under the wrong plan can result in massive, life-altering medical bills. I have worked with many clients who struggle to get out from under these financial obligations, and for some seniors, the medical debt caused by a poorly chosen plan can physically outlive them.

I frequently meet with clients who deeply regret ignoring my advice in hindsight. They later wish they had chosen a plan with minimal ancillary benefits and the lowest overall maximum out-of-pocket expenses instead. When enrolling, your primary goal should always be safeguarding your health and finances against major medical emergencies. The extra perks should only be viewed as a secondary bonus.

Answer: Yes, absolutely. Advisors work with individuals who have dementia, but we take special care to focus on compliance and patience to protect the beneficiary. Because Medicare calls are recorded in their entirety for quality and compliance, we must ensure that every enrollment is fully understood and authorized. If an individual's dementia has progressed, any plan changes must be made with the explicit consent of a legally authorized representative to avoid compliance issues.

Answer: If you miss the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period that ends on March 31st, don't panic! While March 31st is generally the date where your plan choices lock in for the remainder of the year, you are not necessarily completely stuck.

To make a change after this deadline, you will typically need to qualify for a Special Election Period (SEP). These are triggered by major life changes, such as moving to a new zip code, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for extra financial assistance like Medicaid.

As your partner, I always say that every situation is unique. If you missed the deadline and feel like you are in the wrong plan, please reach out to me directly. We can take a close look at your circumstances, check for any available exceptions, and figure out the logistics together to protect your health and your wallet."

Answer: I see this happen all the time, and the truth is, seniors don't wait until the last minute because they don't care—they wait because they are completely overwhelmed. From the moment they turn 64, their mailboxes are flooded with hundreds of confusing flyers, and their phones don't stop ringing with aggressive sales pitches.

As agents, the best way we can prevent bad, rushed decisions is by stepping in early as educators, not salespeople. By hosting regular, zero-pressure educational seminars and webinars, we can clear out the noise and give them a clear roadmap months before their deadline. When seniors have a trusted partner to hold their hand and break the process down into simple, manageable steps, that fear turns into confidence. We take away the last-minute panic so they can make the right choice for their health and their wallet.

Answer: There are several very valid reasons why someone would choose not to go with a Medicare Advantage plan, and they are the exact reasons why many of my families choose a Supplement instead.

First, Medicare Advantage plans limit you to a specific network of contracted doctors and hospitals. If you travel outside of your local network area, you may only be covered for emergencies. Second, you often face the hurdle of prior authorizations, meaning the insurance company can deny procedures that your doctor says you need. Finally, many Advantage plans require you to get a referral just to see a specialist.

With Original Medicare and a Supplement, you don’t have networks, referrals, or prior authorization delays—if Medicare covers it, you are covered anywhere in the country. But as I always say, Medicare is not a 'one-size-fits-all' puzzle. Medicare Advantage isn't right for everyone, which is why a thorough conversation with a trusted partner is so crucial to finding your perfect fit.

Answer: The short answer is, yes, in most states you do have to answer health questions to switch Medigap plans, unless you have guaranteed issue rights or special election period where you can bypass underwriting. For example, if you live in a state that observes a Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule, you are given a special window of time every year to switch your plan. Make sure to wait for the new policy to effectuate before canceling the previous policy.

Answer: I am so glad you asked this, because it is all over the news right now and it can sound very scary. The short answer is that Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies, and sometimes those insurance companies and local hospitals get into a big disagreement over how they do business. Hospitals are pushing back because they feel the insurance companies make them jump through too many hoops with paperwork, take too long to pay them, or deny claims for care that doctors say a patient needs.

As your partner, I always keep a close eye on these changes. My job is to protect your health and your wallet, which means we will always check to make sure your preferred hospital and doctors are fully in-network before we pick a plan. And remember, if you ever want total freedom to see any hospital in the country without network rules, we can look at a Medicare Supplement instead. We will figure out what works best for your family together!

Answer: Absolutely not—it is a resounding NO! My Medicare seminars are strictly educational and designed for one purpose: to empower you with knowledge. I host these events and webinars regularly because education is a crucial piece of understanding your benefits. What I love most about these gatherings is the community aspect. Being surrounded by peers opens people up. Often, one person is bold enough to ask a question that someone else was too embarrassed to bring up, which helps everyone in the room. I host these events consistently, and I highly recommend visiting my website to see a list of our upcoming educational events.

Answer: That is a very good question! The truth is, while Medicare Supplement gives you incredible financial predictability down the road, it requires you to pay a premium right now, whether you see the doctor or not. And those that select a Medicare Advantage plan normally go that route because they simply cannot afford the monthly premium. On top of that, standard Supplements don't include routine dental, vision, or prescription drugs, so people choose Advantage plans to get everything wrapped up into one affordable package. As your partner, I don't believe one is universally 'better'. The best plan is the one that fits your health needs today without hurting your family's wallet tomorrow.

Answer: Yes, Medicare absolutely covers telehealth visits with specialists. It is not limited to primary care. Under Medicare rules, you can consult with covered specialists like Cardiologists and Dermatologists to name a few, right from the comfort of your own home. You will have to pay your Part B coinsurance for the visit just as you would if you were to see the specialist in person. While Original Medicare covers these visits under Part B, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the network rules and copays might differ slightly. As your partner in healthcare, I always recommend letting me double-check your specific plan guidelines before your appointment so there are no surprises.

Answer: When you call this number, you aren't just reaching an agent—you are gaining a true partner in your healthcare. Most of my clients know me simply by my nickname, 'Angel.' I am here to guide you through that very first phone call, and I will continue to be here for you, your family, and your loved ones year after year. In fact, I am proud to assist multiple generations of families, from parents and their adult children to grandchildren who may qualify for Medicare due to a disability. Families trust me with their benefits because they know I am always in their corner.

Answer: I firmly believe a Medicare agent should be a true partner, not just someone selling a policy. Navigating Medicare involves many complex variables, especially when you are newly eligible. In fact, you will never have more plan options than during your initial enrollment window, making expert guidance crucial to getting it right from the start. A dedicated agent helps you explore every option to find the perfect fit for your health and budget. Conversely, relying on advice from unlicensed sources works against you and can ultimately cost you dearly.

Answer: Choosing to become a Medicare agent is the most humbling and rewarding career decision I have ever made. Every single day, I have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and the fulfillment that comes with that is immeasurable. I absolutely love what I do because, to me, clients do not just get a policy—they get a lifelong partner.