Chauncey Bragg, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: If you are unable to provide proof of creditable coverage. You will face being accessed a 10% penalty on top of your normal medicare cost that is taken from your social security check. This penalty will be in effect every year until your death.

Answer: You are able to switch back to original Medicare during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) wich is in January of every year. The only way thing is you will have to get a prescription drug plan when you switch back to avoid any gaps in coverage. This will keep you from having to face any penalties.

Answer: With the advances in technology that have been made i think that we will see the level of care increase along with the cost to help pay for the advancements that we will see.

Answer: You need to apply for part a and part b of Medicare. This can take a few weeks to get approved. You also need to start talking with someone about the options you have if you do not want to stay on original Medicare.

Answer: Yes you can have anyone you trust to sit in with you and listen to everything that is being said. They can ask questions and help you make the right decision for you.

Answer: Good question. Yes — there are some very specific “exceptions” or rather limited coverage situations for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and therapeutic nutrition under Medicare, but they’re fairly narrow. Here’s a breakdown, plus key things to watch out for. (If by “therapeutic supplements” you meant something more specific — e.g., vitamins, medical foods, tube feeding.

Answer: Comparing Medicare Part D plans is one of the strongest ways to reduce prescription costs, especially when you have both generics and specialty drugs. The key is to look beyond the premium and focus on how each plan treats your exact medications.

Answer: Unfortunately that will not work. While you are enrolled in an advantage plan original medicare will not pay for anything. Your medicare advantage plan replaces your original medicare options. You can ask your provider if they will accept your plan as an out of network provider. Some plans allow for this. This will cost you more money out of pocket but you would not have to find a new provider that accepts your plan.

Answer: If it was an educational seminar it should have been. Those or not designed to be a sales pitch. They are supposed to be about medicare only. Nothing specific about any one carrier or plan.

Answer: It is best to find a plan that works long term. You want to keep in mind you doctor's and budget when choosing this plan.

Answer: The first thing is to carefully check your bill for services not received or test not performed. Next you want to call your provider with your questions about the bill. They should be able to explain all the charges and make corrections if needed. Once you have done that if you feel there is still a problem you can contact Medicare directly with your concerns. You will find that most things can be resolved by contacting your provider.

Answer: To answer your question with as little confusion as possible the answer is yes.

With that being said you will not need the form until you are ready to sign up for part B. The form is to let them know that you had other qualified part B coverage.

Answer: That question has many different answers. The answer is going to depend on what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay. There really is no straight forward answer to that question without more information.

Answer: That is a very good question. The answer is that it's going to depend on your health and financial situation. If you have the money and good health it is perfectly fine to stay on original Medicare and add a drug plan. It will be a little more costly but if you are in good health a good fit.

On the other hand if you go to the doctor often or see specialist it might be best to get an advantage plan.

Answer: Copay is a set amount that you pay per visit or when you pick-up your medication. Deductibles is what you have to meet (pay) before your insurance starts to pay for covered medical services. They can be separate or they can be combined.

Answer: This can be very confusing. There are several different reasons that you could be receiving a bill. The most common is that you deductions have not started yet from your monthly payment. Check your bill to see if the dates are for the past or future dates this will help you figure out what is going on. You also need to check your Medicare card and insure that you have a start date next to part B. The best way to find out what is going on is to call social security and ask.

Answer: Yes that is fine as long as they are licensed to sell in the state that you live in. This is very important because they need to know the plans that are available in your state and region as the plans can vary and they legally can't help you if they are not licensed in your state.

Answer: You should receive it before October 1st by law. However with the mail system running slow sometimes it might be a few days late.

Answer: Yes Medicare will cover most breathing conditions. You would need to check to see what will be covered based on what type of Medicare you have.

Answer: What you need to do is get help researching the differnce between the two. You have to look at your health, if you have to see specialist, and if your health status is changing. All of this should go into consideration of weather to move to an advantage plan. As with anything informed decisions are best.

Answer: Yes, Medicare will cover this. They call it MNT ( Medical Nutrition Therapy). It will be covered as long as you meet the requirements. Since you are a diabetic, you should be covered.

Answer: Typi6you can only change your plan during AEP (annual enrollment period) and OEP (open enrollment period). If you have certain life changes you may qualify to change your plan this is known as an SEP (special enrollment period).

Answer: I use the Medicare Clear/clarity guide to help my clients understand what Medicare is and what is and is not covered. I also make sure to answer any question they might still have after going over the information guides.

Answer: The main disadvantages of PPO plans are that they tend to have higher monthly premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs, less predictability, and more cost-sharing complexity.

Answer: Signing up for the wrong plan. Either on their own or because the person helping them did not ask the right questions.

Answer: The biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage plans is the limited provider network and potential out-of-pocket costs.

Answer: That is something that is yet to be determined. They are working on updating the drug formulary. Once that is done, you should be able to get with an agent or go to medicare.gov and list all your medications to see what the actual cost will be.

Answer: Yes, some plans will cover you when you travel. They are a little more expensive but worth it if you are the traveling type.

Answer: The cost of all medications has increased somewhat. There will also be an increase in premiums for Part D plan standalone plans as well next year.

Answer: The short answer is yes. Medicare will cover this test once every 24 months. However, certain criteria must be met. Your best bet would be to call your current carrier and find out what they require, as every company will have its own standards that may differ from original Medicare.

Answer: I believe that alot of people are leaving plans because they are not getting what they need. Another reason maybe because the plans can change every year and they don't have anyone that can help them choose the right plan. Everyone needs to work with a Medicare professional to learn about the plans and make an informed decision on which plan is best for them. The process should be a journey not a sprint.

Answer: As an agent I feel that it is my responsibility to listen and ensure that all of your questions are answered and that you understand what you are getting.

Answer: It gives me the opportunity to do something I love doing. That is helping people make informed decisions.