Brent Minter, Medicare Insurance Broker
Brent Minter
Minter Benefit Advisors LLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in SC, AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA and WI
30+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
-
Location
Irmo, SC
-
Phone
-
Website
-
Schedule An Appointment
-
Pre-Appointment Form
Brent Can Help With:
About Me
Brent Minter - Experienced and trusted Medicare Advisor with over 30 years of experience
Hello, I am Brent Minter, an independent licensed insurance agent who specializes in working with Medicare beneficiaries to help you select the coverage that best meets your needs.
Original Medicare can be overwhelming, confusing and costly, and as a Medicare beneficiary, you have more options to help protect you from the high costs of Medicare than ever before. Those options include Medicare Supplements (Medigap), Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans. That's why I make it a priority to help educate you on all parts of Medicare and the various insurance products to help protect you from the significant costs that can be associated with original Medicare.
There is no "one size fits all" solution to Medicare plans. Your insurance needs are individual and specific to you. We will work together to better understand your needs and concerns in order to find the coverage you deserve.
As an independent insurance agent, I represent multiple companies to make sure I can help you find the best coverage for your needs today and in the future. There are no costs for my services, and I work for you not the insurance companies. Whether you are turning 65, retiring and losing employer coverage, on Social Security Disability or have been on Medicare for years, I will be more than happy to work with you to make sure you understand Medicare and all of your plan options. Schedule your appointment today.
Minter Benefit Advisors LLC is a full-service insurance agency offering life and health insurance products for all ages.
Q&A with Brent Minter
Do you have to renew your Medicare Supplement plan every year?
Answer: Medicare Supplements will automatically renew each year as long as you continue to pay the premium.
Medicare Supplements differ from Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in that the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) does not apply.
I just moved to a new state. Do I need to do anything with my Medicare coverage?
Answer: Moving to a new state or even just a new zip code can be very daunting considering all the things you have to update with new addresses and mailing information, and yes, your Medicare coverage will need to be updated too. This especially applies if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D plan.
Generally, when you move, you will need to select a plan that is offered in your new state. You will have access to a special election period related to your move. You can exercise this special election period one month prior to your move and up to two months after your move.
If you don't change your plans, your current coverage will be cancelled and you will be returned to original Medicare and subject to the deductibles, co-insurance and copayments that apply to Part A and B of Medicare. You will also risk losing your Part D coverage. If this happens, you may not be able to enroll in a Part D plan until the next Annual Election Period, and your coverage will not start until January 1 of the following year. You could also be subject to penalties if this occurs.
It is always best to work with a local independent insurance agent to help you review all of your plan options to find a plan that works best for your needs.
I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and my biologic medication costs $6,000 per month. How will the 2025 Medicare Part D changes affect someone in my situation?
Answer: As you know, biologic medications are very expensive and your share of the cost is determined by how the medication is classified. These medications can be classified under your Part D benefits as prescription medication that you purchase from a pharmacy, or they can be classified as a Part B medication that is usually administered in a clinical setting such as a doctor's office or infusion clinic.
If the medication is classified as a Part D prescription and is covered by your Part D plan, your overall out-of-pocket costs are limited to $2,000 for 2025. Most Part D plans will have a $590 deductible and then you will owe 25% of the cost of the drug. In the case of a $6,000 prescription, you can expect to pay the deductible plus 25% of the cost until you have spent $2,000. At that point, your prescription will be covered 100% for the rest of the plan year.
If your medication is classified as a Part B drug, it is subject to the Part B deductible if it has not been met, and then you will pay 20% of the cost of the drug. Part B does not have a maximum out-of-pocket limit.
If you have a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap plan) or if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your costs for Part B drugs could vary.
It is always best to speak with a local licensed independent insurance agent to better understand the costs of your drugs and other benefits.
What is the trap of Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: Many people believe that Medicare Advantage plans are "too good to be true" because they often provide coverage for a $0 premium and/or offer benefits above and beyond what original Medicare offers.
Medicare Advantage plans are a part of Medicare known as Part C. Unlike Part A and B, Part C plans are offered by private insurance companies who have a contract with Medicare to offer the plans. In simple terms, Medicare pays the private company to administer the Medicare benefits for the individuals who enroll in the Medicare Advantage plan. In return, the private company agrees to provide all the benefits and services of original Medicare and oftentimes provides additional benefits.
These private companies use certain "tools" such as provider networks, prior authorization, referrals to specialists and programs to help improve the overall health of their members to reduce medical costs. They then pass some of these savings on to members in the form of additional benefits.
You also have certain protections when you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in case you find out you are not happy with the plan.
To conclude, there are no traps in Medicare Advantage plans. To learn more about Medicare Advantage and if it is a good choice for you, please speak with a local licensed independent insurance agent.
I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?
Answer: Enrollment periods can be one of the most confusing aspects of Medicare. Below is information on the most common enrollment periods:
Initial Election Period - occurs three months before the month of your 65th birthday and continues for three months past the month of your 65th birthday, seven months in total. During this time you can enroll in both Part A and/or B of Original Medicare. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a Part D prescription plan.
Annual Election Period - occurs each year starting on October 15 and continues through December 7. During this time you may enroll in, change or cancel a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription plan
Open Enrollment Period - occurs each year starting on January 1 and continues through March 31. During this time you may make one change to your Medicare Advantage (Part C) coverage only.
Special Election Periods - occur throughout the year and are usually tied to some change in circumstances such as moving, becoming eligible for financial assistance, being diagnosed with certain chronic conditions or losing creditable coverage such as employer-sponsored coverage.
Generally, Medicare enrollment periods do not apply to Medicare Supplements, also known as Medigap policies. If you are interested in purchasing a Medicare Supplement, you do have an open enrollment period during the first 6 months that you are eligible for both Part A & B of Medicare. During this time, you have the right to purchase any Medicare Supplement available to you based on where you live without having to answer health questions.
For more information on enrollment periods, it is always best to consult a local independent licensed insurance agent who can help guide you through the maze of enrollment periods.
My friend said she got a free annual physical with Medicare, but my doctor billed me. What's going on?
Answer: It is a common belief that Original Medicare covers an annual physical exam; however, it does not.
When you first become eligible for Original Medicare, you have the opportunity to have a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. This is not a physical exam. It is simply a review of your medical and social history related to your health. Each year after that, Original Medicare also provides a yearly "Wellness" visit to update your personalized healthcare plan with your doctor.
Many Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C of Medicare, do offer Annual Physical Exams as part of their preventive health coverage. If your friend is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, then it is probable that her annual physical was completed at no cost to her.
To better understand what is provided by your specific coverage, it is always best to consult with a local independent licensed insurance agent. Local independent agents must complete annual certification requirements to ensure they understand Medicare and the plan options available to you.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Working with a local independent insurance agent provides many benefits to you. Local agents are generally more knowledgeable about the plans available in your area. Plans change each year, new plans are introduced, old plans may be discontinued and there may be major network changes for certain plans. A local Medicare agent will likely be better informed about the plans in your area and be better positioned to help you navigate these changes.
Another thing to consider is the local independent agent works for you not the insurance companies they represent. Therefore, it is in the agent's best interest to make sure they are advising you based on what is best for you and your needs. The local independent agent wants you to be a long-term client and that requires trust by doing what is right for you.