Calinda Young, Medicare Insurance Agent
About Me
Hi! My name is Calinda, and I am your dedicated Medicare consultant and agent. My focus is on Medicare, and I am committed to assisting you in finding the most suitable plan that aligns with your unique needs and budgetary constraints. I will tackle the challenge of sifting through plans from nationally and locally recognized companies, so you don't have to. What's more, my services are entirely free! Reach out to me today to explore your Medicare insurance options and be sure to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Calinda Young
Does everyone pay the same for Medicare?
Answer: Part B premiums are the same for everyone that participates in Medicare unless they qualify for Extra Help which helps to pay for premiums, medications, etc., depending on individual circumstances which are determined by an individual's state agency.
Does Medicare ever call you at home, or is every call a scam?
Answer: Medicare typically sends any correspondence in the mail and does not call you at home. If you have an Advantage plan, that is a private carrier, and they may call to verify information. As with any incoming call, never give your personal information over the phone.
I'm on Medicare but recently declared bankruptcy due to medical bills. How will this affect my coverage and options going forward?
Answer: With Medicare, as long as you pay your Part B premium you will not lose coverage and your previous bankruptcy will not affect your coverage moving forward.
Can I keep seeing my current doctors if I switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, or do I have to find new ones?
Answer: Your ability to keep seeing your current doctors depends on if your doctors accept the plan you are enrolled in for health insurance. Otherwise you may want to find a new doctor or you will be responsible for the charges, out of your pocket.
I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?
Answer: When turning 65, you will need to notify your employer of your birthday and ask if they will still cover you after you turn 65- depending on the size of the company you work for, as to their ability to pay for your health insurance.
Next you will need to contact your local Social Security Administration office and notify them of your intent to, 1) apply for your Part A(hospital coverage), it has no monthly premium if you have worked for 40 quarters; 2) Apply for and pay for Part B (out patient) benefits. Part B has a premium- you will need to decide if you will pay out of pocket or have it deducted from your SSA monthly benefit.
Happy Birthday!
What's one tip for balancing affordability and personalization when finding the best Medicare options?
Answer: One tip for balancing affordability and personalization when finding the best Medicare options is to always explain that we don't have a crystal ball and therefore, we don't know the future. I always listen closely to consider all of a members health challenges and concerns and explain the benefits within the plan and how they could work in the future. Sometime the concern is time and other times it's the cost- mostly it's the cost.
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: Because Original Medicare does not cover dental cleanings, it is important see if you might save money on your dental cleanings by comparing the benefit and cost of their stand alone dental plan with the benefits included with the Medicare Advantage plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer a 'buy-up' dental program to increase the yearly dental benefit for members with a monthly premium.
How does Medicare handle coverage for experimental treatments or clinical trials?
Answer: Typically, Medicare dos not provide coverage for experimental treatments or clinical trials. A members doctor may need to submit a letter for an 'exception' to the plan, to see if their patient would qualify for any experimental treatments or clinical trials.
Can you explain how Medicare works with other types of insurance like Veterans Affairs benefits or employer plans?
Answer: There are a couple different ways that Medicare works with other types of insurance like Veterans Affairs benefits or employer plans. Because their are so many different possibilities, it is always a good idea to speak with a licensed agent to explain weather your plan will be the primary or secondary carrier. It also depends on a number of things, such as how many employees the company has and is the companies drug coverage credible- meeting at least the standards of Medicare. When working with Veterans Affairs, typically, a member does not need to have additional drug coverage because it is already offered by Veterans Affairs. A Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage would cover all the areas of health insurance.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: I believe it is critical to work with a Medicare agent so that members/clients have their questions answered fully when navigating all the benefits of a plan. The language can be confusing and with the constant changes, agents can be held responsible to do their due-diligence for their clients. I also service client claims throughout the year so that the member can rest after a major health event and not spend all day on hold trying to get an answer or need to retell the same scenario over and over when being transferred.