Anthony Scott, Medicare Insurance Broker
Anthony Scott
Medicare Broker Licensed in CA
Contact Details
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Location
Fontana, CA
Anthony Can Help With:
About Me
As a trusted Medicare, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Care broker, I have dedicated over 12 years to helping individuals and families navigate their insurance options. With a strong commitment to providing personalized, unbiased guidance, I specialize in tailoring solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you're approaching Medicare eligibility, seeking comprehensive life insurance coverage, or planning for future healthcare needs with long-term care insurance, I’m here to ensure you make informed decisions that protect your health, wealth, and peace of mind.
Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for excellence, always putting the needs of my clients first. My goal is to simplify the complexities of insurance and help you understand your options, so you can confidently plan for the future.
Let me guide you through the process, offering expert advice on the best insurance solutions for your specific needs, with a focus on transparency, integrity, and customer care.
Q&A with Anthony Scott
I went to a free Medicare seminar and it felt like a timeshare pitch. Are any of those events actually helpful?
Answer: Yes, they are actually helpful, IF they are conducted in an educational manner. I conduct Medicare T-65(turning 65)Dinners as well as Medicare 101 meetings/events regularly. These meetings are strictly to provide information on how Medicare works and what the options are. These are strictly non sales events!
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: HMOs usually cost less but restrict your choices, while PPOs offer more choices but come at a higher price, especially for out-of-network care.
What are the red flags I should look for when interviewing agents? I want to make sure I'm not just getting sold to but genuinely advised.
Answer: A red flag to look out for would be if they don’t even attempt to do a full needs analysis of the prescriptions you take, your preferred pharmacy, Primary care Physician, specialists, Hospital… and don’t take the time to explain how Medicare works and what your options are.
I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?
Answer: I’m going to assume from your question that you currently have Medicare and that it’s a Medicare advantage plan so I’m only going to list the enrollment periods particular to your scenario.
1.) Annual Election Period (AEP) This runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. This is where you can switch your Medicare advantage plan or prescription drug plan and the changes will take affect on January 1 of the next year.
2.) Open enrollment period (OEP) This runs from January 1 through March 31. This is where you’re able to switch to a different Medicare advantage plan then what you had during the previous year or even from the one you just selected during the annual election period. You’re also able at this time to return to original Medicare with or without part D prescription drug plan. Whichever you choose to do, you can only make one change during this period.
3.) Special enrollment period (SEP) if you have a qualifying life event (moving out of a plan area, lose other coverage… among other specified, qualifying life events) you may be able to change plans.
I have Original Medicare, and I'm wondering if I'd save more on my dental cleanings if I switched to a Medicare Advantage plan instead.
Answer: The only way to know which plan would cost you less out of pocket for dental would be to meet with a Medicare broker that has access to plans in your county so they can do a comprehensive comparison between the available MAPD plans, your current dental plan, and other standalone dental plans available to you.
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: First meet with a Medicare broker in your local area! Also, if they do not, without you having to ask, do a needs analysis to find out what prescriptions you have, what, if any, are your favorite physicians, preferred hospitals, pharmacy… ask what most important to you in a healthcare plan… If they just want to put you into a plan without first analyzing your needs, walk away and seek out another Medicare broker!
How do I know if a Medigap policy is right for me, and what's the best time to buy one?
Answer: Contact a Medicare broker directly impose this question to him. If they tell you that a certain plan is the plan for you without telling you why or without doing a needs analysis hang up the phone and find another broker. A good broker will take the time to find out what your situation is as far as your needs, what you’re looking for what is your financial situation. By doing a complete needs analysis there will be better able to determine which plan is actually better for you. as for what is the best time to buy a Medigap plan, it’s when you first become eligible for Medicare however, again, a financial/needs analysis should always be done by the broker.
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
Answer: The quick answer is, it depends.
Factors that impact that decision;
1.) Does the business offer health insurance and if it does, do they provide coverage for its employees once they turn 65.
2.) How many employees work at the business?
3.) Do you have a HSA?
3.) What benefits are in the employer plan and what is the premium and out of pocket costs of the employer plan(s) vs the available Medicare plans?
The best way to get the information you need to make this decision is to meet with a Medicare Broker, who will do a analysis on these and other factors and clearly explain all your options to you.
I switched to a new Part D plan and now half my meds require prior authorization. Why didn't anyone warn me this could happen?
Answer: Unfortunately I have to answer this question with a question. How did you switch your part D plan? Did you do it on your own, without checking the formulary and/or EOC for your new plan first, or did you go to a broker who also didn’t do their due diligence on the new plan with regards to your list of prescriptions?
If you did the switch on your own, you are solely responsible for your situation because you failed to do your due diligence.
If you used a broker and they didn’t point this out to you as well as reviewed multiple plans to see which is the best fit for you, or if that plan was the best fit but the broker didn’t inform you of that prior authorizations would be needed then that was not a good broker and the they are the one responsible.