Charles Mai, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Since he moves to a new area, he will have a 60 days window to choose the following:

1) keep the NY Medigap plan, but need to buy a new PDP; and.

2) enroll in the MAPD

And if he wants option 1, he can shop for a different Medigap plan as well if he is healthy.

Answer: Should take the Medicare part A when eligible. If your employer’s plan is more cost effective, stay with it until you truly retire. This way, you do not have to sign up for the Part B ($202.90 per month for most).

Once you are no longer covered by your employer’s plan, then you can take the Part B. After that, you can decide to get a med supp plan or advantage plan.

It is better to consult or work with a licensed Medicare plan agent on this.

Answer: All license agents have been trained and completed all the requirements. To choose an agent, it is very important to consider:

1) is the agent accessible? - an agent should be always a phone call away;

2) is the agent doing things compliantly? - an agent should comply with all the require procedures and documents?

3) Is the agent genuine, sincere, and with true intend to help you look for the best option. Integrity is very important. An agent should work on your case as working on his own.

4) are you comfortable working with the agent? Follow your feelings.

Answer: A licensed agent would be able to use your medicine to estimate the cost over the plan by plans.

You can also do this on Medicare.gov.

Answer: Yes. Therefore, if you think you can qualify the Chronic plan, it does not hurt to apply. Please work with an agent on this.

Answer: Find a PDP plan covers this. Along as it is covered, $2100 is the max you will be responsible for the whole year.

Answer: Your son, relatives and friend can help you to an extend like gathering information. However, they need to be your authorized representative (for example, have the power of attorney) to help you enroll (make decision and sign the enrollment application).

Answer: I would not consider a trap for a Medicare Advantage plan. Just like everything else, there are always pros and cons. Here are some cons of a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan or with Prescription Plan (MAPD)

1) network - always a network regardless of HMO or PPO. For HMO, one must get services within network except emergency. PPO allows out to network services but the copay or coinsurance might be higher;

2) Copay and coinsurance - depends on plans and services;

3) deductible - some plans might have a medical deductible.

These are some main ones. But there are many pros as well. So it is really depending on an individual’s needs and preference.

Answer: It has no impact on your eligibility. You can continue to get healthcare services. Once your met the max out packet, you are covered for the rest of the year if you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have a Medicare supplement plan, you can continue to get the service.

Answer: If you plan to continue to work and get the employer’s health coverage, you must contact the SS office to apply for Part A which you do not have to pay the premium if you have worked over 10 years. Then Stay with your employer’s plan until you fully retire and it does not cover you. Apply for part B, before the employer coverage ends.

Once you have part A and part B of Medicare, then you can contact a medicare agent to help you analyze how to complex your medicare coverage because the original Medicare A and B have limitations.

Answer: All supplement plans are standardized which means plan N, for example, is the same no matter from which company. The premium will be different. Therefore, when selecting a supplement plan, it is better to choose from a larger and stable company with a very affordable premium because the future premium might be more stable than smaller companies.

Answer: For Medicare, it is called Annual Election Period, which begins on 10/15 and end on 12/7. During this period, one can enroll many plans and only the last one will be effectuated. The new plan will be effective on 1/1.

Medicare Open enrollment is from 1/1 to 3/1 for those who enroll in a Medicare advantage plan. They will have one time chance to switch to the new plan. Once used, it will become unavailable. This is for someone who switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Election Period to see if it works for them and provide them a chance to amend.

Answer: Medicare Part D does not work with other discount cards. If the discount card is better, you can pick up the medicine thru your discount card but the spending will be not be counted toward the Part’s deductible and out of packet max.

Some of my customers use discount cards to pick up medicines that are not covered by the Medicare part D plan.

Most of the states if not every state have the assistant program. Like PAAD in NJ and PACE in PA, EPIC in NY. The Fed also the the low income subsidy plan (LIS) to help those who qualify to get medicines.

Answer: Health insurance including Medicare generally does not cover experimental treatments and clinical trials. However, drugs used in these might be covered.

Answer: Some treatments will require prior authorization. Just work with your doctor to get it. They are usually approved.

Answer: A Medicare advantage plan is based on your Medicare part A and B participation. Most people get the part A free based on more than 10 years of working history. As for the part B premium for most is $185.

People have Medicare part A and B, they can enrolled in a A Medicare advantage plan. Most of the plans have a $0 premium. A Medicare Advantage plan generally combines Part A, part B and Part D, and provide some additional benefits such as dental, vision and hearing. some will be also provide part B premium giveback or OTC allowance.

It is based your medical needs to choose a plan that is right for you. Please feel free to contact me for more in depth analysis.

Answer: Yes, you can use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay Medicare premiums after you retire. HSA funds can be used tax-free to pay premiums for Medicare Part B and D, as well as Medicare Advantage plans

Answer: A Medical agent will help you find a plan meets your needs the most and maximize the benefits available. And the agent is a great source for Medicare relative questions and matters and easier accessible. Best of all, working with an agent, there is no extra cost, this means you get the same benefits and same costs with or without working with an agent.

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