Chase Punzalan, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Medicare is a federal health program designed for seniors and certain people with disabilities.

Life insurance is a pay on death to beneficiaries.

Both independent programs.

They don't cross over.

So the long answer made short. No, it is not true.

Answer: If you're referring to "Medicare" CMS then No. Medicare itself nor Medicare advantage can drop or not accept an beneficiary for health reasons.

However... Medicare Supplements can deny coverage due to health reasons if beyond an qualified guaranteed issue election period. The only time a person can get dropped from an active Medicare supplement is due to non- payment and/or misrepresentation on health questions during the time of application.

Answer: There are multiple ways to determine an agent’s legitimacy.

1. Ask for their state license number. You can verify if they are active and in good standing . This will also tell you years of experience

2. Most agents / brokers have a google my business and or reviews page. You can see how others experience has been . Check linked in as well

3. Test their knowledge

4. Verify if they can represent multiple carriers and plans

5. Make sure they’re following CMS marketing and engagement rules

Answer: This is a heavy multifaceted topic.

There’s a lot to unpack with this.

1. Aging population means more Medicare and health care utilization

2. Higher costs per enrollee

3. Managing the Diverse needs of an growing elderly population

4. Medicare trust fund depletion without reform

5. Potential higher taxpayer burden

6. Network and provider strain to adapt and meet the needs of the aging demographic.

Answer: HMO- you must have a primary care listed . In most situations will require a referral. Also does not provide out of network benefits.

PPO- has the ability to see in network and out of network providers (discounted rate). Will allow for more portability and speed of care .

Answer: Working with employer health and Medicare: employer health is primary and Medicare is secondary.

If retired and able to keep employer coverage then it flips and Medicare becomes primary.

VA benefits work independently from Medicare uses benefits. They don’t “coordinate” however can complement each other in coverage .

Answer: Work with your doctor(s) to practice step therapy. Seek generic drugs vs. brand name drugs.

See if you qualify for Social Security's LIS program. Work with a social worker and determine if you qualify for Medicaid's - Medicare Savings program. Look to patient assistance programs. There are many options, here's a few to consider.

Answer: Hello! Carriers and health care providers can both choose to partner or not. Ultimately , the business decision is a two way street.

Answer: Medicare covers annual wellness & preventive visits. As to why the doctor billed you, I would ask for the billing code(s)/ reasons and that will tell you if it's covered under Medicare's annual wellness/preventative services.

Answer: hello! that would ultimately depend on how your medicare program is currently set up. whether that is original medicare or medicare advantage. Medicare.gov allows you add in prescriptions and doctors. However from a break down of usage, you'll have to reference your past medical costs against original medicare and medicare advantage to get a ball park on the cost analysis.

P.S. There are specific medicare advantage plans that are built specifically to help manage diabetes. Please be on the look out for medicare advantage plans that reference "C-SNP" and "Diabetes."

Answer: No, you will not have to sign up for Medicare again. However, since annual enrollment is approaching it wouldn’t hurt to review your current situation .

Answer: Great question. Medicare advantage compliant advertising will always have the proper disclosures on the bottom of ads. This means the ad is CMS approved.

For the definitive source of Medicare advantage plans you can reference Medicare.gov and/or the Medicare and you book. It will have the specific Medicare plans in your area. You can cross reference for accuracy.