Charles Fletcher, Medicare Insurance Agent
Charles Fletcher
The Fletcher Agency
Medicare Agent Licensed in WA, AZ, ID, NV and TN
5+ Years of Experience
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Idaho
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About Me
Sometimes you just want a knowledgeable and caring person to help you find the answers you need and get done what you need to get done. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Charles Fletcher and I'm a Medicare insurance broker dedicated to serving your local area. I'm available to work with you on the phone or in person. Medicare insurance is my area of expertise, and I'm committed to helping you pinpoint the most suitable plan for your individual needs and budget. I'll handle the research and comparison of plans from top national and local companies. When you enroll in a plan with my assistance you also capture me as your agent for year-round support. Plus, my assistance comes at absolutely no cost to you. Reach out to me today to discuss your Medicare insurance possibilities, and remember to mention you found me through Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Charles Fletcher
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: One piece of advice I wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan is to carefully consider their specific healthcare needs and prescription medications, not just the premium cost. Plans can vary widely in coverage for things like doctor visits, hospital stays, and drugs, so picking one that aligns with your regular care and meds can save you a lot more money and hassle down the line than just going for the cheapest option upfront.
Can you describe a time when you helped a client navigate a complex Medicare issue?
Answer: I had a client who visited an E.R. after having something propelled into her eye. After treatment in the middle of the night the E.R. said to her, "Go see this Dr tomorrow to complete the work. We can't complete it for you here." So, taking the E.R. Doctors instructions she did go visit that Dr who happened to be "out of network". She got the care she needed and was surprised when she received a bill from that specialist Eye Dr's office because the insurance plan was refusing to pay. We worked closely together to file "exception" requests in order to have the plan pay for the specialist visit as part of the E.R. visit. It took a while, but eventually we had followed the necessary steps for this situation and she was able to re-coop the $350 or so that had been requested by the Dr's office and the insurance treated it as part of the E.R. visit.
I have multiple medications; how can I ensure my Medicare Part D plan covers them all without breaking the bank?
Answer: The best way to do this is to work with a broker, such as myself, to enter your specific prescriptions into a tool that will compare the available plans. It's also helpful to have someone l ike a brokerwith this experience to help interpret what the results are actually trying to tell you once the filters have been applied and the results can be seen.
Why is the new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for drug costs important?
Answer: The $2000 out of pocket maximum will allow customers to purchase their prescriptions on any plan and have the out of pocket cost be limited to $2000 a year. It's important that you work with a broker to help you navigate the prescriptions that do not show up on the plans formularies as they will be consider not covered by the Drug Plan. Exploring options is crucial in this situation to keep the drug costs as low as possible and on the formulary.
What are some ways to ensure your parents feel supported during the Medicare decision-making process?
Answer: Supporting your parents through the Medicare decision-making process can make a big difference in their comfort and confidence. Here are some practical ways to help:
Sit Down Together: Take time to go over their options with them. Look at plan details—coverage, costs, and provider networks—and talk through what matches their health needs, like frequent doctor visits or specific meds.
Simplify the Jargon: Medicare can be a maze of terms like "Part D," "deductibles," or "out-of-pocket maximums." Break these down into plain language so they’re less overwhelming.
Ask Questions: Encourage them to share their worries or priorities—what’s most important, like keeping their current doctor or managing drug costs? Listening helps you guide them better.
Research Together: Look up plans on Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE with them. You could also check reviews or forums for real-world experiences with plans they’re eyeing.
Be Patient: This can feel stressful or confusing for them, so keep the tone light and give them space to process without rushing.
Double-Check Deadlines: Help them mark key dates, like the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), so they don’t miss out on making changes.
Offer a Second Opinion: If they’re unsure, suggest talking to a trusted friend, a doctor, or a free Medicare counselor (like SHIP—State Health Insurance Assistance Program) to back up your advice.
Consider using an Insurance Broker: Brokers can help you do all these things and provide important perspective because they work in the world every day.
Small steps like these show you’re in their corner, which can ease the pressure and make the process feel less like a solo mission.
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
Answer: Whether a senior turning 65 should enroll in Medicare or delay it while still working depends on their job situation—specifically, their employer’s size and health plan. Here’s how it breaks down:
If the employer has 20+ employees: The company’s group health plan is usually "primary" (pays first), and Medicare is "secondary." In this case, they don’t have to enroll in Medicare right away. They can stick with the work plan and delay Medicare Parts A and B without penalties, as long as the job coverage is “creditable” (meets Medicare standards). Part A (hospital coverage) is free, though, so some sign up for it as a backup since it can coordinate with the work plan. Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care) has a monthly premium, so delaying it often makes sense to avoid double costs.
If the employer has fewer than 20 employees: Medicare typically becomes primary, and the work plan secondary. Here, they should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B at 65, because the work insurance might not cover much unless Medicare kicks in first. Skipping it could mean gaps in coverage or higher out-of-pocket costs.
Other Factors: If their work plan is pricey or skimpy (high deductibles, limited drug coverage), switching to Medicare might save money or improve care, even with a big employer. They’d need to compare premiums, copays, and drug formularies. Also, if they have an HSA, signing up for Medicare stops HSA contributions—something to weigh if they’re still saving there.
How to Delay: If they skip Medicare Part B (the part that costs a monthly premium) at 65 because of a solid work plan, they will get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) later to turn on Part B and enroll in a plan in short order at that time.
Can I change my Supplemental/Medigap plan at any time?
Answer: Yes, in Washington State, you can change your Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) plan at any time during the year, but there are specific rules depending on your current plan. Unlike most states, Washington has a unique "Right to Change" law that offers year-round guaranteed issue for existing Medigap policyholders, meaning you can switch plans without medical underwriting in certain cases. Here’s how it works:
If you have Medigap Plan A: You can only switch to another Plan A offered by a different insurer without undergoing medical underwriting. You’re limited to staying within the same plan letter.
If you have Medigap Plans B through N: You can switch to any other plan between B and N (e.g., from Plan G to Plan N, or Plan B to Plan F) at any time, also without medical underwriting. This gives you more flexibility to adjust coverage or premiums.
Key Conditions: You must already be enrolled in a Medigap plan to use this rule. If you’re coming from Original Medicare alone or a Medicare Advantage plan, you can’t switch to a Medigap plan under this guaranteed issue provision—you’d need to apply normally, which might involve health questions outside your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.
Practical Steps: To switch, contact the new insurance provider, apply for the desired plan, and, once approved, cancel your old plan. There’s no specific enrollment window like the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) that applies to Medicare Advantage or Part D—Washington’s rule lets you do this anytime.
This flexibility is a big perk in Washington compared to most states, where switching outside specific periods often requires passing medical underwriting, risking denial or higher rates due to health conditions. Just make sure the new plan fits your needs—compare benefits and premiums carefully with your Medicare Insurance broker, as costs can vary by insurer even for the same lettered plan.
How does Medicare Part B handle coverage for preventative screenings like mammograms?
Answer: Medicare Part B covers preventive screenings like mammograms as part of its focus on early detection and health maintenance, with specific rules on frequency, cost, and eligibility. Here’s how it works:
Screening Mammograms: These are covered for women aged 40 and older to detect breast cancer early, before symptoms appear.
Frequency: Part B fully covers one screening mammogram every 12 months (anytime after 11 months from your last one). If you’re new to Medicare, you also get a baseline mammogram covered between ages 35–39.
Cost: There’s no out-of-pocket cost—no coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible—as long as the provider accepts Medicare assignment (agrees to Medicare’s payment rates). This applies to 2D and 3D (tomosynthesis) screenings, though 3D coverage was clarified in updates around 2018 to match evolving standards.
Diagnostic Mammograms: If a screening finds something abnormal or you have symptoms (like a lump), Part B covers diagnostic mammograms to investigate further.
Frequency: No strict limit—covered as medically necessary, which could mean multiple in a year if your doctor orders them.
Cost: After meeting the Part B deductible ($240 in 2025), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. There’s no cap on how many are covered, but each one triggers that 20% coinsurance unless you have a Medigap plan to offset it.
Key Details: The mammogram must be done at a Medicare-approved facility (like a radiology center or hospital outpatient department). If it’s bundled with other services (e.g., a biopsy), additional costs might apply under Part B’s standard rules. Preventive coverage assumes you’re symptom-free—once it’s diagnostic, it shifts to a treatment framework.
This setup reflects Part B’s broader approach to preventive care: full coverage for annual screenings to catch issues early, with cost-sharing kicking in when it’s about diagnosis or follow-up. It’s a balance between encouraging checkups and managing expenses when care escalates.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: Original Medicare is fully wrapped into all Medicare Advantage plans. Even the rights and privileges of Original Medicare are included. So, in most situations an MA plan would be better than merely have Original Medicare. MA plans add other coverage in additional to the 80% coverage of Original Medicare such as helping cover to a great degree the 20% gap. MA plan frequently add supplemental benefits such as dental, hearing, vision routine care, Over the Counter spending benefits and no or low cost gym memberships. These supplemental benefits are not covered by Original Medicare.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: Whether you have to answer health questions when switching from one Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) plan to another depends on where you live, when you’re switching, and the specific circumstances. Since you mentioned Washington State earlier, I’ll address that first, then cover the general rule:
In Washington State: Thanks to the state’s "Right to Change" law, if you already have a Medigap plan, you typically don’t have to answer health questions when switching to another plan of the same or a different letter (e.g., Plan G to Plan N), as long as you’re staying with plans B through N, or switching between Plan A policies. This guaranteed issue right applies year-round, not just during a specific enrollment period. However, if you’re moving from no Medigap coverage (like Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage) into a Medigap plan, or upgrading to a plan outside this rule (e.g., to Plan F if it’s still offered), insurers can require medical underwriting—meaning health questions—unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
General Rule (Most States): Outside Washington, switching Medigap plans usually requires medical underwriting unless you’re in your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (a 6-month window starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B) or an SEP applies (e.g., losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan ending). Underwriting means answering health questions, and insurers can deny you or charge more based on pre-existing conditions. If you’re past that initial window and no SEP fits, you’ll likely face those questions when switching—say, from Plan N to Plan G—unless the insurer offers a rare exception.
So, if you’re in Washington and already on a Medigap plan, you’re generally in the clear—no health questions for most switches. Anywhere else, check your timing and situation. Either way, call the new insurer to confirm their process before dropping your old plan.
How will the new 2025 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap impact seniors and prescription drug costs?
Answer: For prescriptions on the plans formulary the out of pocket costs will be limited to $2000 per year for 2025. Sometimes, prescriptions are not on a particular plans formulary but may be on other plans or have a similar version available as an alternative that would put it on the plans formulary. Working with a knowledgeable broker who can navigate through various insurance carriers plans can prove extremely helpful in this situation.
Overall, the cap provides substantial relief for seniors with high drug costs, enhancing predictability and affordability, though its broader impact on drug prices may be limited as it doesn’t directly lower list prices—those benefits hinge on separate Medicare drug price negotiations starting in 2026. For 2025, the focus is on out-of-pocket savings, not systemic price reductions across the board.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: I find my greatest satisfaction in working with Medicare clients when we finish working through the various questions, comparisons and plans and the clients say, "You made this so easy. I'm so pleased that we found you.". That's exactly my goal with all of my clients. To hear their gratitude and taking something complex and making it simple, understandable and ultimately very helpful. With my year-round availability that is always what I'm striving for.
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: My process includes gathering working through an descriptive workbook that includes introductions to the 2 types of Medicare insurance, information on enrollment periods, 10 things to know about "Medicare Advantage" and a broad look at Prescription Drug Plans. We then take time to answer any additional questions and move in to the Customer Review section or our appointment gathering drug list and Dr lists.