Chad Hardy, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Great question—this is something a lot of people wonder about.

After you apply for Medicare Parts A and B, it typically takes about 2 to 4 weeks to receive your Medicare card in the mail. In many cases, you’ll actually get your Medicare number sooner through your Social Security account before the physical card arrives.

If your application is approved quickly, you may be able to start reviewing plan options even before the card shows up, as long as you have your Medicare number and effective dates.

If you don’t receive your card within a few weeks, it’s a good idea to follow up with Social Security to check on the status.

Answer: Both can be great—it really comes down to your preference.

Working with a local agent can be nice if you prefer face-to-face conversations or want someone nearby who understands your area.

That said, a virtual agent can offer the same guidance, plan comparisons, and ongoing support—just in a more convenient, flexible way.

In either case, the most important thing is working with someone knowledgeable, responsive, and independent who can help you find the right plan and support you year after year.

Answer: In most cases, it’s actually a big advantage—especially with an independent agent.

They can compare plans across multiple insurance carriers to help you find what fits best, not just push one option. And it’s not a one-time thing—they’re there each year to review your coverage and make sure your plan still makes sense as things change.

Best part is, it doesn’t cost you anything to work with an agent.

Answer: It depends largely on the size of the employer, often referred to as the Medicare “rule of 20.”

If the employer has 20 or more employees, their group coverage is typically considered primary, and the senior can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty as long as they maintain that creditable employer coverage.

If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally becomes primary at age 65, and delaying Part B could lead to gaps in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties.

Because of this rule, it’s important to review the employer size and coverage details before deciding whether to enroll or delay Medicare.

Answer: When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you get a one-time six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period where you can enroll with no medical underwriting, regardless of your health.

Once that window closes, insurance companies are allowed to ask health questions and can decline coverage based on your medical history.

Many people aren’t aware of this because Medicare doesn’t automatically enroll you in a supplement or strongly emphasize how important that six-month window is.

Depending on your situation, you may still qualify for guaranteed issue rights, or you can try applying with different carriers since underwriting guidelines vary.

Answer: A Hospital Indemnity Plan isn’t required if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, but it can be very helpful protection.

Most Medicare Advantage plans have daily copays for hospital stays, and those are often the highest out-of-pocket costs you’ll face. For example, it’s common to see copays of several hundred dollars per day for the first few days of a hospitalization.

If you’re hospitalized twice in the same year, those copays typically reset with each new hospital admission, which can add up quickly.

A Hospital Indemnity Plan pays you a cash benefit when you’re hospitalized, which you can use to help cover those copays or any other expenses. It provides an extra layer of financial protection and peace of mind, especially for those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

It’s not necessary for everyone, but many people choose to have one to help reduce their financial exposure in the event of a hospital stay.

Answer: In most cases, no. Once the Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7, your plan is generally locked in for the year.

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you do have a one-time opportunity between January 1 and March 31 (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period) to switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

If you return to Original Medicare, you can apply for a Medicare Supplement, but approval may require medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue situation.

Otherwise, you would typically need to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period to make changes.

This is why it’s important to review both your current prescriptions and your overall coverage flexibility when selecting a plan.

Answer: It’s completely normal for seniors to feel overwhelmed by Medicare. The best advice is to take it one step at a time and remember that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Medicare isn’t a one-size-fits-all program, and the right choice really depends on your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and lifestyle.

One of the most helpful things you can do is talk with an independent Medicare agent who represents multiple insurance companies. They can break everything down in plain English, compare your options side-by-side, and help you understand what fits your situation — not just what one company is trying to sell. It takes a lot of the stress out of the process and makes sure you don’t overlook something important like drug costs, networks, or enrollment deadlines.

The bottom line: you don’t have to become a Medicare expert. Just get someone trustworthy in your corner who can guide you through it.

Answer: Dental and vision aren’t included in original Medicare (Parts A & B), so you have a couple of ways to get that coverage depending on the type of Medicare plan you have.

If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, many of those plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits automatically. The coverage and dollar amounts vary by plan, but this is usually the easiest way to get those extras bundled in.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, those plans don’t include dental or vision. In that case, you can add coverage by enrolling in a stand-alone dental and vision plan from a private insurance company. These plans let you pick the level of coverage you want—anything from routine cleanings and basic vision exams to more robust dental benefits that cover crowns, implants, or dentures.

Answer: This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Medicare. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) only lets you switch between Medicare Advantage plans or change your drug plan. It does not guarantee that you can move from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) without health questions.

To enroll in a Medigap plan without medical underwriting, you need a Guaranteed Issue (GI) right — and those are limited. Most people only get GI rights when they’re first turning 65, leaving employer coverage, or if their Advantage plan is terminating. Outside of those situations, if you try to switch from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap plan, the insurance company can require health questions and can deny the application based on medical history.

So yes, you can apply for a Medigap plan during AEP — but unless you have a GI right, you’ll typically need to go through underwriting.

Answer: That’s a really common question, and it makes total sense why it feels confusing. Even though both you and your friend are paying for Medicare, the “extra stuff” you each get — like SilverSneakers, dental, vision, or OTC benefits — doesn’t actually come from Medicare itself. Everyone gets the same Medicare Parts A and B. The differences come from the private insurance plan you each chose on top of Medicare. Your friend’s plan likely includes SilverSneakers as part of their Medicare Advantage benefits, while your plan may not include that specific perk. It’s kind of like you both have the same foundation, but you picked different packages with different features.

If SilverSneakers or other fitness benefits are important to you, I'd recommend you talk to a medicare agent to take a look at your current plan and see whether there’s an option that offers those perks, or if another plan might be a better fit when you’re eligible to switch. Totally normal question — this happens all the time.

Answer: Yes — your son or daughter can absolutely help you with your Medicare plan.

Family members are allowed to sit in on calls, compare plans with you, help you understand your options, and even talk with an agent as long as you give permission. A lot of people lean on their adult children during Medicare because it can feel overwhelming to sort through everything on your own.

If you want a clear, easy guide you can go through together, there’s a great resource called Helping Your Parents Navigate Medicare

Answer: The easiest way to compare Medicare plans for your parents is to start with the basics: their meds (with dosages), doctors, and pharmacy. That info helps you quickly narrow down which plans actually fit. From there, I’d recommend you have an independent agent pull side-by-side comparisons of multiple insurance carriers —don’t just look at premiums, but also networks, drug costs, specialist copays, and the max out-of-pocket.

If they want predictable costs, Medigap can give them peace of mind; if they’re comfortable with networks and copays, Medicare Advantage can work too.

There’s also a new, super simple guide coming out 12/2 called Helping Your Parents Navigate Medicare that walks through all of this in plain language.

Answer: Delaying Social Security until 70 is totally fine — it doesn’t affect your Medicare timing at all. The two things aren’t linked anymore.

Since you’re turning 65 and not collecting Social Security, Medicare won’t automatically enroll you. You’ll just need to sign up yourself during your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7-month window around your 65th birthday).

In most cases, people enroll in:

Part A at 65

Part B at 65 unless they’re still covered by active employer insurance from a company with 20+ employees

If you don’t have that kind of employer coverage, you’ll want to get Part B at 65 to avoid penalties and coverage gaps — even if you’re choosing to wait on Social Security.

Until you start collecting your Social Security benefits at 70, Medicare will simply send you a bill for your premiums. When your benefits kick in later, the premiums start getting deducted automatically.

If you’re unsure which parts you actually need at 65, I’m happy to walk through your specific situation.

Answer: Yes — losing your employer or union coverage can qualify you for a special enrollment window to get a Medigap plan without medical underwriting.

If you’re just now activating Medicare Part B because you’re losing group coverage, that triggers your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a six-month window where you can enroll in any Medigap plan (like Plan G or N) with no health questions asked.

If you already had Part B and are simply losing employer coverage, you may instead qualify for a Guaranteed Issue window, which gives you 63 days to enroll in certain Medigap plans with no underwriting.

Both options protect you so you’re not penalized for leaving employer coverage.

Answer: Agents don’t charge anything to help you enroll in Medicare. You never pay a fee for their time, guidance, or support.

Instead, agents are paid by the insurance companies. When someone enrolls in a plan, the carrier pays the agent a set commission (built into the plan — it doesn’t raise your price). The premium you pay is the same whether you enroll on your own or use an agent.

So you get the help for free, and the agent gets paid by the insurance company, not by you.

Answer: I completely understand — a lot of people feel like Medicare is a yearly mystery and still end up surprised by bills. If you want the most peace of mind, you might consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. With these, you typically just pay a monthly premium and most of your medical costs are covered, which means far fewer surprises throughout the year. And the coverage remains the same each year.

If a Medigap plan isn’t an option, then working with a licensed independent agent can make a big difference. They can help review Medicare Advantage plans each year, walk through all the copays, deductibles, and drug costs, and make sure everything is clear before you enroll so you’re not caught off guard later.

Either way, you don’t have to navigate it alone — there are ways to get real peace of mind with Medicare.

Answer: Yes — green card holders can get Medicare, but they must have 5 continuous years of U.S. residency as a lawful permanent resident before they’re eligible. If you're turning 65 but have only been in the U.S. for 4 years, you aren’t eligible just yet. You’ll become eligible as soon as you reach the full 5-year residency mark, and at that point you can enroll in Part A, Part B, and the rest of Medicare just like anyone else.

If you haven’t worked 40 quarters in the U.S., you’re still eligible once you hit the 5-year residency requirement, but you would pay a premium for Part A. For 2025, the Part A premium is $278/month with 30–39 work credits, or $506/month with fewer than 30 credits. Part B has the same standard premium for everyone regardless of work history.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Medicare benefits, but they work very differently from Original Medicare.

With Original Medicare (Parts A & B), you can see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare. Many people pair it with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, which helps cover the costs Medicare doesn’t—meaning no networks, no copays for most services, and very predictable expenses.

Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, is run by private insurance companies. These plans often include extras like dental, vision, hearing, and prescriptions, but they usually come with doctor networks, copays, and an annual max out-of-pocket you need to keep an eye on.

Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on your doctors, medications, budget, and how much flexibility you want in your healthcare.

Answer: Yes. Some Medicare Advantage plans do cover acupuncture and other alternative therapies, but it depends on the specific plan.

Original Medicare only covers acupuncture for chronic lower back pain under strict rules.

Medicare Advantage plans, however, can offer extra benefits — and some include additional acupuncture visits, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or other wellness options.

Coverage varies by plan, so it’s important to check the plan’s Summary of Benefits to see what’s included and what the copays are.

Answer: Yes — some Medicare Advantage providers do perform better than others, but it really depends on where you live and what matters most to you. Each company has its own doctor networks, customer service reputation, and extra benefits like dental, vision, or flex cards. The best way to find the right fit is to compare local plan options each year to see which carrier offers the strongest coverage and value for your needs.

Answer: Yes — it’s absolutely okay to work with a younger Medicare advisor. What matters most isn’t age, but knowledge, experience, and how well they listen to your needs. A good advisor should be able to explain your options clearly, help you compare plans, and guide you through enrollment without pressure.

In fact, younger advisors often bring a lot of energy, up-to-date technology skills, and a fresh approach to communication — things like virtual meetings, digital forms, and simplified explanations. The key is finding someone who’s licensed, specializes in Medicare, and takes the time to make sure you understand your coverage and feel confident in your choices.

Answer: Yes — your ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) is one of the most important pieces of mail you’ll get from your Medicare plan each year. It explains what’s changing for the upcoming year — things like your premiums, copays, drug coverage, and extra benefits.

When you look it over, take a few minutes to make sure your monthly premium and maximum out-of-pocket costs aren’t increasing too much. Also check the copays for hospital stays and specialist visits, since those can change year to year and really affect what you’ll pay if you need care. Make sure your prescriptions are still covered at the same cost, and that your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in-network. It’s also a good time to review any dental, vision, or other extra benefits to see if anything was added, removed, or reduced.

If you notice anything that could impact your coverage or costs, it’s worth scheduling a quick plan review with an agent before the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) to make sure you’re still in the plan that fits you best.

Answer: IRMAA is an extra charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above certain limits. It’s reviewed every year for the next year’s premiums but always looks back two years at your IRS tax return.

So, for example, your 2026 Medicare premiums are based on your 2024 income. If your income has gone down since then — maybe you retired, lost a source of income, or had another major life change — you can ask Social Security to review it using Form SSA-44 (Request for Reconsideration).

In many cases, they’ll lower or remove the IRMAA once they see your updated income.

Answer: Both options have pros and cons. Original Medicare only covers about 80% of costs, so most people add either a Supplement (for nationwide coverage and predictable costs) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan (which usually has lower premiums and extra benefits but comes with networks and copays).

I don’t think one is “better” across the board — it really comes down to whether you value flexibility and broader coverage (Supplement) or lower upfront cost with added perks (Advantage). It’s worth talking to an agent to review your options.

Answer: Yes, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a stand-alone Part D drug plan, your insurance company is required to send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30 each year. This document highlights changes in premiums, copays, drug coverage, provider networks, and extra benefits for the upcoming year, so you can review your options before the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7).

If you only have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you will not receive an ANOC because Medigap benefits are standardized and don’t change annually. The only updates you might get are notices of premium adjustments from the carrier.

Answer: I get it—Medicare can feel way more confusing than it should be. If you’re still working at 67, whether you need Part B really depends on your employer coverage. Larger employers often let you delay it without penalty, but smaller ones may not. The safest move is to review your situation with an agent so you don’t end up paying extra or facing a penalty.

Answer: Medicare itself doesn’t pay for groceries. However, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may include extra benefits—like a monthly allowance you can use on over-the-counter items, healthy food, or even certain grocery purchases. These benefits vary by plan and aren’t included with Original Medicare. If that’s something that’s important to you, it’s worth reviewing the Medicare Advantage options in your area to see if any include a healthy food or grocery card benefit.

Answer: Some doctors aren’t big fans of Medicare Advantage because it can create extra work and limit their flexibility. Many plans require prior authorizations before patients can get tests or treatments, which slows things down and adds paperwork. Doctors may also get paid less than with Original Medicare, and sometimes claims are denied or delayed. On top of that, the networks can be more restrictive, which means doctors can’t always refer patients as freely. All of this can make the care process feel more complicated than it needs to be.

Answer: Medicare does cover chiropractic care, but it’s limited. Original Medicare only pays for manual adjustments when a doctor says they’re medically necessary to correct a problem with the spine. It doesn’t cover other services a chiropractor might provide, like exams, x-rays, or ongoing maintenance therapy. If your dad needs adjustments regularly, those visits can be covered when deemed necessary, but it won’t cover broader or long-term wellness care.

The best step is to talk with a Medicare agent or review his plan details, since Medicare Advantage plans sometimes include extra coverage beyond what Original Medicare provides.

Answer: There’s no simple “better” option — Original Medicare offers flexibility, and some add a supplement plan to go with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) often includes extra benefits and lower premiums but uses networks. The right choice depends on your needs, so I’d recommend talking with a Medicare agent to review your options and go over the details.

Answer: Yes, Medicare may cover a wheelchair if it’s medically necessary. The first step is to see your doctor, who will evaluate your needs and write an order for the equipment. From there, you’ll need to use a Medicare-approved durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. Under Original Medicare (Part B), you typically pay 20% of the cost after your deductible, and Medicare pays the rest. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll follow your plan’s rules for doctors and suppliers, but the process is similar. Medicare covers different types of wheelchairs—manual, power, or scooters—based on what your doctor prescribes.

Answer: Medigap is often the best fit for people who travel a lot, since it lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, without worrying about networks. On top of that, Medigap plans cover most or all of the deductibles and coinsurance that Original Medicare leaves behind, which means your medical bills are much more predictable. The trade-off is the higher monthly premium compared to Medicare Advantage. It’s a good idea to work with an agent to review your premiums and see if there are cheaper Medigap options available, or if a different approach might still meet your travel needs while helping you save money.

Answer: Yes, it’s a good idea to review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) with your Medicare agent. The ANOC explains how your current plan will change for the upcoming year—things like premiums, copays, deductibles, and which drugs or providers are covered. Even small changes can affect your costs or access to care. An agent can walk you through the updates, compare your plan with other options in your area, and make sure you’re not missing out on better coverage or savings.

Answer: There isn’t an age cutoff in Medicare or health insurance that stops someone from getting a CT scan at 78. Medicare and most insurance plans cover CT scans whenever they’re medically necessary, regardless of age. What sometimes causes confusion is that certain screening tests (like routine cancer screenings) have age guidelines, where coverage may change or doctors may recommend them less often. But if your doctor orders a CT scan because it’s needed to diagnose or treat a condition, Medicare will cover it whether you’re 68, 78, or 88.

Answer: One of the biggest misunderstandings is that Medicare will pay for long-term or custodial care, like living in a nursing home or needing help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or eating. In reality, Medicare only covers skilled nursing care for a limited time after a hospital stay, and only if you meet specific requirements. For example, days 1–20 in a skilled nursing facility are usually covered in full, then you start paying a daily copay through day 100. After that, Medicare doesn’t cover ongoing custodial care at all. Seniors are often surprised to learn they need separate long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or personal funds to cover those costs.

Answer: It’s hard to give you an exact number because ambulance charges vary by distance and service level, but here’s the general rule with Original Medicare and no supplement: ambulance rides are covered under Part B. You’d first pay the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025 if you haven’t met it yet), then 20% of Medicare’s approved amount for the ride. For example, if the approved amount was $1,000, your share would be about $450. One tip is to make sure the ambulance company accepts Medicare assignment, because if they don’t, your cost could be higher.

Answer: If you stay with Original Medicare and don’t add a Medigap (supplement) plan, your biggest risk is that there’s no cap on what you might pay out of pocket. Medicare covers a lot, but it only pays about 80% of approved medical costs after deductibles. That means you’re on the hook for the other 20%—and if you have something big happen, like surgery, hospital stays, or ongoing treatments, that 20% can add up really fast.

With Medigap, you’re basically buying protection against those unpredictable bills. Without it, you could be fine if you only see the doctor once in a while, but you’re exposed if something serious comes up since there’s no maximum limit on what you could owe.

Answer: No, you don’t pay taxes on your Medicare benefits. Medicare isn’t counted as taxable income. What you will pay are your monthly premiums and any copays or deductibles when you use your coverage.

If your income is on the higher side, Social Security may add something called an IRMAA to your Part B or Part D premiums. It’s not a tax, but it does mean you’ll pay more than the standard premium.

So the short answer is: your Medicare itself isn’t taxed, but you’ll still have your regular premiums and costs to keep in mind.

Answer: Medicare does cover both. A psychiatrist can prescribe your medications, and a therapist can handle your talk therapy. With Original Medicare, it falls under Part B—you’d just make sure the provider accepts Medicare. If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it can also help cover the costs Medicare doesn’t pay, depending on which Medigap plan you have. If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, the same services are usually covered, but you’ll want to check the plan’s network and copays. Bottom line: you can absolutely see both, you just need to confirm they take your Medicare coverage. Hope that helps

Answer: That’s a really important question, because lab bills can definitely catch people off guard. With Medicare Advantage, the main thing to remember is that your plan has contracts with specific labs, and if your test gets sent somewhere out-of-network, you could end up with a bill you weren’t expecting. The safest thing to do is ask your doctor up front which lab they’re using and then double-check that it’s in your plan’s network — usually you can confirm that in the plan’s directory or with a quick call to member services. Preventive tests are often covered at no cost, but other kinds of labs can still have a copay or coinsurance depending on how your doctor orders them.