Brandi West, Medicare Insurance Broker
Brandi West
FYM Financial
Medicare Broker Licensed in AR, AZ, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA and WV
Contact Details
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Location
Idabel, OK
Brandi Can Help With:
About Me
Hello! I'm Brandi West, a dedicated Medicare benefits specialist. I know that navigating all the available plans can be tough, but don't worry—I'm here to help.
It can be confusing to explore all the different options on your own. I'd love to be your personal benefits expert and guide you through the process, and my services are completely free to you. I'll take the time to go over every part of your plan to make sure there's no confusion.
When you contact me, please let me know you found me through Medicare Agents Hub. I look forward to helping you find the right plan
Q&A with Brandi West
What's the most important question I should be asking about Medicare that I probably haven't thought of yet?
Answer: This is a complex question as Medicare is tailored to each beneficiary differently. Here are a few things to consider.
"When you're looking at Medicare, most people focus on the monthly premium. But the most important question to ask yourself isn't about the monthly cost—it's about how much you could potentially lose if you get seriously sick.
If you choose Original Medicare alone, you could have unlimited out-of-pocket expenses.
If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket costs are capped for the year, giving you a financial safety net.
If you choose Original Medicare plus a supplement plan, the plan will cover most or all of your out-of-pocket costs, so you're also protected from uncapped expenses.
So, the real question is: 'How am I protecting myself against the financial risk of a catastrophic health event?' Your choice between Original Medicare with supplemental and a Medicare Advantage plan should be based on how you want to manage that risk."
I've heard about IRMAA affecting my Medicare premiums. How can I find out if it applies to me, and how does it work?
Answer: Social Security will determine your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from your IRS tax return from two years prior. This is because high-income beneficiaries contribute more to Medicare. IRMAA is an additional premium that you may have to pay in addition to your standard Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) premiums when your income is higher than the standard amounts the federal government sets.
I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?
Answer: 3 months before the month you turn 65, your birth month, and the 3 months after the month you turn 65.
My Medicare Advantage plan listed my doctor, but now they say he's out of network. How is that even allowed?
Answer: This situation may arise when the provider's contract negotiations with the Medicare plan company have not been finalized. While such occurrences can be frustrating, they do sometimes occur. To mitigate this, when selecting a plan, ensure your agent thoroughly reviews the Summary of Benefits and Evidence of Coverage documents with you. If you identify inaccuracies in the plan directory, it is recommended to report these errors to both the plan and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Does Medicare cover emergency care if I'm traveling in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?
Answer: Medicare coverage is applicable to all U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, contingent upon the healthcare provider's acceptance of Medicare and enrollment in Parts A and B. When considering Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), be aware of potential network limitations. It is advisable to thoroughly review the summary of benefits and evidence of coverage with your agent to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the plan's specific coverage details.
If a patient had surgery with more than a 3 day stay in the hospital and needed to recover from the surgery before starting rehab, can the rehab stay be delayed by up to 90 days pending recovery?
Answer: Medicare generally requires admission to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) within 30 days of hospital discharge for coverage. However, this 30-day rule can be overridden if it's determined that an immediate SNF admission is medically inappropriate based on the patient's condition and established treatment plan. In such cases, if it's medically predictable at the time of hospital discharge that SNF care will be needed within a defined future timeframe, coverage for that deferred care may still apply
It is always important that both you and your agent go over the summary of benefits and evidence of coverage to know more in detail about the plan.
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: Choosing the right Medicare and life insurance plans can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. I am passionate about guiding seniors through these important decisions. I become your lifelong benefits specialist, and my goal is to protect you and give you peace of mind. I am fiercely protective of all of my clients.