Betty McCarty, Medicare Insurance Agent
Betty McCarty
McCarty Insurance Inc.
Medicare Agent Licensed in WA
15+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Spokane, WA
Betty Can Help With:
About Me
Hello! I'm Betty, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Contact me to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Betty McCarty
I'm getting conflicting information about whether Medicare covers my specific medication. How can I get a definitive answer?
Answer: This depends on the type of Medicare drug plan you have. All Medicare drug plans have a formulary. A Medicare formulary is essentially a list of prescription drugs that a Medicare drug plan covers. Contact your Medicare Plan provider and request a drug formulary. I will be happy to assist you if you have more questions.
What are some ways to ensure your parents feel supported during the Medicare decision-making process?
Answer: First you need to Make sure you are well-prepared: Before discussing Medicare, take the time to learn about the different parts of Medicare (Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D) and their coverage options. Your parents will tend to trust you more if you are knowledgeable.
Second: Find out their needs, and hear their concerns. Your parents may have needs and concerns about healthcare, costs, or changes as they age and drug coverage.
Third: Suggest looking into specific Medicare options for them, such as Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap, or Part D drug plans, so they feel they’re making an informed choice. Researching together can reduce any anxiety they may feel about navigating complex details.
I also recommend getting an advocate, a Medicare agent in your area. They can advise your parents and with the above tools, you’ll be able to tackle the topic of Medicare with your parents trust and knowledge they are making the right decisions. I hope your Medicare journey is enlightening and as carefree as possible
I've been diagnosed with prediabetes. What preventive services does Medicare cover to help prevent progression to type 2 diabetes?
Answer: Medicare covers insulin and a variety of antidiabetic drugs. Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (part C) cover insulin administered via a pump and certain diabetes supplies.
Medicare prescription drug coverage provides comprehensive coverage for diabetes medications. Reach out to me or an agent in your area for more information. Also, Medicare.gov is a great resource.
I need a new wheelchair, and I'm not sure if Medicare will cover it. What's the process for getting durable medical equipment?
Answer: Prior authorization is usually required for Durable Medical Equipment.
You might need to take the following steps:
1.) Meet with your doctor to assess your physical condition.
2.) Check your Medicare plan. Medicare Part B covers 80% of the chair's costs after you meet your deductible.
3.) Evaluate your costs. Most manual and power wheelchairs are rented for the first 13 months, and you pay 20% coinsurance.
4.) Schedule a doctor's appointment and explain why you need a wheelchair.
5.) Obtain a doctor's prescription for the chair and contact your local Social Security office for an application for Medicare Part B benefits.
Shouldn't Medicare expand to cover more alternative treatments that actually help seniors?
Answer: Medicare does not normally cover most holistic medicine or other alternative therapies.
However, some Medicare Advantage Plans may provide extended benefits to cover a variety of health and wellness services that are considered holistic or alternative therapies.
Examples of alternative therapies covered under Medicare Part B may include acupuncture for chronic low back pain, chiropractic services for spinal manipulation, and certain types of physical therapy.
medicare.gov is a really good tool for information.
Also, I am happy to schedule an appointment with you, please feel free to email your request for an appointment to: [email protected]
So with all these 2025 Medicare changes, should I be switching plans or staying put?
Answer: Medicare is undergoing significant changes in 2025, including:
1. A $2,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket Part D drug costs.
2. Elimination of the prescription drug coverage gap, commonly known as the "donut hole."
3. An optional payment plan for Part D expenses.
4. Expanded coverage for various services and medications.
During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), it was crucial to review your potential costs and plans for 2025. If you missed the last AEP, you can prepare for the next one, which begins October 15th and ends December 7th.
Starting your research early in October will give you more time to evaluate your options as new plans become available for the upcoming year.
If you'd like assistance reviewing your available benefits or guidance through the review process, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected]. We're happy to help!
Let me know if you'd like further refinements!
I'm confused about the different tiers in Medicare Part D plans. How do they affect what I pay for my medications?
Answer: Medicare Part D organizes drugs into tiers (1-5) within a formulary, based on cost.
Tier 1 includes the lowest-cost generic drugs, while Tier 5 covers high-cost specialty medications. Monthly premiums and drug deductibles vary by plan, with some offering no monthly premiums.
If you would like additional information, or have further questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected].
Is Medicare becoming more expensive over time, and will it ever be unsustainable?
Answer: Medicare's sustainability is a complex issue.
Some experts warn it may face challenges due to the growing population of individuals aged 65 and older, while others highlight its cost-efficiency compared to commercial carriers.
Fortunately, a variety of Medicare options remain available in most U.S. counties this year. For details on plans in your area, consider contacting a local insurance agent.
I picked a PPO for the flexibility, but now every time I go out of network the bills are outrageous. What's the point of even having a PPO?
Answer: A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) offers several advantages, such as the flexibility to access a wide range of services, including out-of-network care, and typically does not require designating a primary care provider (PCP).
However, a significant disadvantage is the cost associated with receiving care from out-of-network providers, as members are billed additional fees for this privilege.
To mitigate potential billing challenges with a PPO, one option is to select a Medicare Advantage plan with a broad network and strive to stay within that network whenever possible.
Alternatively, you might consider a Medicare Supplement plan, which generally provides access to a broader network without billing for out-of-network services. Keep in mind, however, that Medicare Supplement plans require payment of a monthly premium, and you will need to purchase a separate prescription drug plan to cover medication expenses.
Please reach out to a local agent to schedule a free consultation if you have additional questions. Many times, talking to a person face to face can make complex issues easier to comprehend.
I've had a change in my health condition. How does this affect my current Medicare plan, and should I reconsider my coverage?
Answer: Your Medicare plan could be greatly affected by your health. There are specialized plans tailored to chronic conditions in certain counties that are greatly beneficial.
A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan is a Medicare Advantage plan designed for people who have a chronic or disabling condition.
Benefits of a C-SNP can include specialized care, transportation, meal delivery services, access to specialists, telehealth services, and more.
If you need help signing up for a C-SNP, a Medicare Advisor can assist. Call us at 509-216-3069 or schedule a time to chat.
So, whether your health condition has improved or declined, an Advisor can help you understand your options better, even if you already have a C-SNP.
I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?
Answer: Medicare covers transportation to the "nearest appropriate" medical facility.
If you are taken to a location farther away, Medicare may only cover a portion of the cost, not the full amount.
Details regarding this policy can be found in your explanation of benefits package.
For clarification or assistance with discrepancies, it is often helpful to consult with an agent near you. You can also reach out via email to us at [email protected] for further support.
Why am I paying more for Medicare Part B and D than my friends? What is IRMAA and how is it calculated?
Answer: One possible reason you are paying more than your friends could be IRMAA.
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It’s an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a certain level. Basically, people with higher incomes pay a bit more to help support the Medicare program and keep it strong for everyone.
If you have further questions, or need help navigating the Medicare terrain, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Medicare agent.
Or you are welcome to email us at [email protected].
What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?
Answer: A key warning sign of a Medicare scam is an unexpected call asking for personal information, such as your Medicare or Social Security number.
Medicare will never contact you out of the blue to request this. Be cautious of offers for free or discounted medical supplies, services, or money in exchange for your information.
Scammers may also falsely claim you’re owed a refund or rebate to get your details.
If you have further questions or feel you are being scammed, please reach out to your local insurance agent. They can log into your account and see if there are any pressing issues with your current insurance.
Also, feel free to email us at: [email protected]. We have combined 30 years in Medicare insurance experience, and we will be happy to talk with you.
My friend got her cataract surgery covered by Medicare, but they didn't cover the lens she wanted. How does that work?
Answer: Medicare does cover medically necessary cataract surgery, including the standard monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) used to replace the eye’s natural lens.
However, it typically does not cover the cost of advanced or premium IOLs, such as toric or multifocal lenses, which are designed to correct astigmatism or enhance vision beyond what standard lenses provide.
Hopefully this answers your question! If you have further questions regarding Medicare coverage, feel free to contact your local Medicare agent.
You can also email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.
Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: Many insurers are adjusting their Medicare Advantage offerings due to financial and regulatory challenges, which may affect availability in certain areas.
While this can feel unsettling, know that you don’t have to navigate the Medicare landscape alone—support and alternative coverage options are available to help you stay protected and informed.
If you have further questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to your local Medicare agent, or email us at [email protected].