Brianna Ford-Harris, Medicare Insurance Agent
Brianna Ford-Harris
Insurance Just for You
Medicare Agent Licensed in AR, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI
3+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Vancouver, WA
About Me
It is a pleasure to welcome you to Medicare. Bringing 15 years of dedicated healthcare experience, I am devoted to delivering reliable, high-quality service and exceptional care. I look forward to partnering with you to support your ongoing healthcare needs.
Q&A with Brianna Ford-Harris
Why can't I see a doctor of my choice?
Answer: This actually depends on the Medicare path chosen. If you want to see a doctor of your choice, that allowed, but Medicare may not pay for that provider visit. Also depends on if you went with Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Medicare Advantage is going to be through a private insurance company, and they will have networks that they give options in, like HMO or PPO.
With an HMO you have to be "in network" with this type of plan, meaning that you HAVE TO SEE doctors that are approved and within their circle. They will not pay for providers that are not within the circle.
A PPO gives more freedom and allows the Medicare Beneficiary to move either within the circle or outside of the circle. You have options to choose from either in network or out of network. If you go out of network, you will pay a higher cost.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is designed with no networks, and you are allowed to see any provider that accepts Medicare assignment anywhere within the US.
What does Medicare cover?
Answer: Medicare covered those that are aging into Medicare - Turning 65. Medicare is also available to those that have certain medical conditions and those that have been getting Social Security Disability benefits starting at 24 months after receiving their benefits. All services must be provided by a provider that accepts Medicare assignment.
Medicare Part A covers hospital. This includes inpatient hospital stay, hospice care, skilled nursing facility (SNF), and home health care. This coverage is usually earned through working 10 years or more and paying taxes.
Medicare Part B is the medical. This covers services outside of the hospital like doctor visits, durable medical equipment, lab work, preventative care, outpatient services and emergency care. This is covered by a mandatory premium that is charged to the beneficiary.
How many hours of home health care does Medicare cover, and how long can it last?
Answer: Medicare will cover up to 28-hours per week for home health care. This is a standard rule and there is no cap on the number of times this is used by the beneficiary. There is a 60-day limitation on care at a time. If the provider decided that you need a recertification of care, then the provider can recertify the care for another 60-days. This is also covered at a $0 cost to the Medicare beneficiary.
Certain qualifications are needed in order for this benefit to be granted. Not all qualify for home health care.
I am not collecting Social Security yet, so why is my first Medicare bill for three months at once and how am I supposed to pay it?
Answer: Medicare can be a little bit tricky for those not getting Social Security right away but wanting Medicare benefits. Medicare will bill you in quarterly increments, and you are expected to pay premiums for each one of those months within the quarter. Medicare premium is mandatory and everyone has to pay this who is Medicare eligible. You can pay this online through Medicare.gov, have it direct pay through your bank account (like electronic funds transfer-EFT), mail in a paper check, money order, or cashier's check. This will be due by the 25th of the month when you do not receive Social Security benefits.
Where can I attend a free Medicare education workshop near me?
Answer: Yes, you can! I would highly recommend attending an educational workshop to understand the ins and outs of Medicare. You do not need to become a Medicare expert but at least get the basics of how Medicare works for you and how you use Medicare. This will be helpful to be able to choose a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan that works best for you and your situation.
You can use a search engine online and see where there are Medicare educational workshops, reach out to a Medicare Agent, or see community bulletin boards for information. Private health insurance companies also may list some educational opportunities as well.
If I’m not taking any medications, do I still need to enroll in a Part D plan?
Answer: Part D is optional, however, even if you do not take medications, I would highly recommend getting a stand-alone Part D plan if you did not choose a Medicare Advantage plan. The reason for this is because you never know when something will happen when you need some medications.
Also, you can be penalized (a lifetime penalty) for not having Part D coverage.
The penalty rule is: 1% is applied for each full month that you go without Part D coverage. So, if you go 12 months without Part D coverage you will be charged 12% in addition to your Part D premium.
Example:
12% x National Base Premium Average (as of 2026 $38.99) = $9.36 added per month for a lifetime in addition to the premium for a Part D plan.
What happens to my Covered California plan when I turn 65?
Answer: Good Question. What will happen is once you become Medicare eligible, you will have an enrollment window of three months before you turn 65, your actual birth month, and three months after you turn 65 to enroll into Medicare without a late penalty. Now you will lose your subsidies or allowance that were provided that lowered the cost of your marketplace plan.
If you have family members that are also currently covered and NOT turning 65, they are still allowed to remain on Covered California, you just remove yourself. You are responsible for canceling your policy through Covered California and transition to Medicare.
I get my health care through the VA — is a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement a better fit for me?
Answer: If you get VA benefits, first off, thank you for your time and services!
Second, I love to be able to educate on these types of plans that are available to you from private insurance companies. They are designed for veteran's and provides that extra coverage outside of the VA, that allows you to see providers outside of the VA and still get all the benefits from the plan, such as a gym membership, dental, hearing, and vision. Now you may already have these benefits through the VA, but this allows for more freedom and choice when getting a Medicare Advantage plan. You still keep your earned VA benefits and add a little extra on top of those benefits to be able to enjoy all that is available to you usually at a $0 premium. This is the most common route.
Medicare Supplement plans are designed for those that want to have that total freedom to choose where to receive care and who to get it from. These plans do come with an additional cost. Not as common, but still an option.
When you receive VA benefits, usually best to keep those benefits because they are designed to be the best for the best!
What is a Medicare OTC card, and how do I find out if my plan includes over-the-counter benefits?
Answer: The Medicare OTC card is a benefit that is offered from a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C of Medicare) from a private health insurance carrier. This allows you to purchase items that insurance does not cover like vitamin supplements, first aid items, and some toiletry items.
These funds are given quarterly and automatically deposited at the beginning of the quarter. In some cases, depending on certain medical conditions, you could qualify for a higher allowance and use the amount for different things like food, utilities, rent and mortgage payments to help offset the costs of living, especially on a fixed budget.
Ask a Medicare agent to look at your current plan and see what your plan has as far as OTC benefits. Not all insurance plans offer OTC benefits.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Medicare can be complicated with all the Part A, B, C, D and Medigap. I am able to educate and also take the frustrations of health insurance and inform you on what is the best choice for you and your situation. I also do not charge for my services as I am compensated from the health plan carriers. This allows me to focus on just you and your uniqueness.