Cathy Bajkowski, Medicare Insurance Agent
Cathy Bajkowski
CB Health Insurance
Medicare Agent Licensed in IL
37+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Elmhurst, IL
About Me
Cathy has been in the insurance business for over 30 years, helping individuals find the best Medicare plans and business owners find the best plans that suits their needs. She is licensed with dozens of carriers for Medicare Supplement Ins and provides quotes with the top 5 A-rated companies. She is licensed with every Medicare Part D carrier in the state of IL and nearly every Medicare C advantage plan.
NOTE: Please provide an email so we can schedule time to chat!
We want to talk to you at a convenient time. Our office is heavily scheduled with phone calls on any given day, and we want to avoid the telephone "Tag! Your it!"
We also know you are being bombarded with calls, and want to make sure you are expecting our call and can answer and mark us as 'safe' and not a spam call. Our office recommends not answering if you do not know who the call is from; this cuts down on spam calls from unsolicited Medicare call centers.
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Cathy Bajkowski
I am a resident in another country outside of America, will I still be covered living abroad?
Answer: Medicare is the US government's health insurance for people over 65 and those under 65 who qualify due to a disability. Coverage is only available in the US and in the US territories, such as the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
If you are living abroad anywhere outside the US territories, you have no coverage under Medicare.
Those living abroad can look at purchasing coverage for Ex-Pats in other countries.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: There are only two options for Medicare and the BEST depends on a person's situation. You need to ask yourself the following questions:
What is my budget? How many providers do I see and do I want freedom to go anywhere in the country that is accepted by Medicare? Do I have a lot of ongoing conditions and specialists that I need to see and how are all my medications covered on each plan? Can I afford the premiums and annual increases on Supplements?
While decades ago most individuals choose original Medicare and a supplement, today over 55% of those on Medicare are choosing to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans have come a long way in offering more access with PPO networks that have access to providers nationwide, and enhanced benefits.
In my opinion, I see 3 types of people choosing Medicare Advantage plans:
1) If you budget is under $100/month for supplement and drug coverage; you can't buy Plan G or Plan N for under $100, and the only option is High Ded G. At that point, you are probably better off with an MAPD at $0 with all the perks.
2) You are a healthy person, don't go the Dr. much, don't mind paying a copay for visits and tests, like the idea of having dental and vision and hearing and OTC benefits AND your providers are in the Med Adv network or you have no issues using the providers in the network.
3) You are a very high income earner with a large IRMAA for Part B. You have plenty of money in the bank to pay any Max out of pocket costs on an MAPD and would rather 'self-insure the 'little stuff'. There is a plan with all your providers in it. And you would rather save money on the premiums a pay copayments for services as you need them.
So one is not better than the other. It really depends on a person's needs, and you should work with a broker that gives you options and helps you decide. We also explain BOTH plans on our zoom calls; we won't spend time reviewing quotes if people don't want MAPD.
Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?
Answer: When someone is on Original Medicare A and B, it is highly recommended that you purchase a Medicare Supplement to cover the Part A deductibles not covered by Medicare.
For the first 60 days of a hospitalization, the deductible is currently $1736 for 2026; however, if you have a longer term hospitalization, there is a copayment of $434 a day for the 61st - 91st day and $868 a day for days 91 and beyond. That can really add up if you have to pay it!
In addition, if you are sent to a skilled nursing facility following the hospitalization and are in the SNF more than 20 days, there is a $217 a day copayment for inpatient skilled care from day 21 - day 100.
However, if you purchase a Medicare Supplement, this will all be paid for by the supplement; all supplements cover the Medicare Part A deductibles and copayments listed above.