Chris Hajjar, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Yes both Medicare part A and B have a deductible. For example Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): $1,736 deductible per year and Part B has a deductible of $283 per benefit year

Answer: Yes, you can choose to have only Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare). However, Original Medicare doesn't include prescription drug coverage and generally leaves you responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs. Many people choose to add a Medicare Supplement and Part D plan, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, to help provide more comprehensive coverage. A licensed Medicare agent can help you review which option best fits your needs.

Answer: A Medicare Part D plan with a higher total estimated cost may still be the best choice if it provides better coverage for your specific medications, includes your preferred pharmacy, or offers lower out-of-pocket costs throughout the year. The best plan isn't always the one with the lowest premium—it's the one that provides the best overall value based on your individual prescription needs. A licensed Medicare agent can help compare your options.

Answer: The best way to confirm coverage is to check your plan's formulary (list of covered drugs) or contact your Medicare prescription drug plan directly. Be sure to have the medication name, dosage, and pharmacy information available. If you're still unsure, a licensed Medicare agent can help you review your plan's coverage and discuss any available alternatives.

Answer: Good news—the Medicare Part D "donut hole" (coverage gap) has been eliminated. Once you reach your plan's out-of-pocket limit for covered prescription drugs, you won't pay additional covered drug costs for the rest of the calendar year. If you're concerned about medication costs, review your plan's formulary each year, ask your doctor about lower-cost alternatives when appropriate, and compare Part D plans during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period to make sure your coverage still meets your needs. A licensed Medicare agent can help you review your options.

Answer: Congratulations on your upcoming 65th birthday! Your first step depends on whether you're already receiving Social Security benefits. If you are, you'll typically be enrolled in Medicare automatically. If not, you'll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. It's also a good time to review your coverage options, including Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans, to choose the coverage that best fits your needs. A licensed Medicare agent can help you understand your options and enrollment timeline.

Answer: In many cases, yes. If your MRI is medically necessary and covered by Medicare Part B, Medicare generally pays its share after you've met your Part B deductible, and your Medicare Supplement Plan N typically covers most of the remaining approved costs. Your out-of-pocket expense will depend on where the MRI was performed and whether the provider accepts Medicare assignment. If you have questions about a specific MRI or bill, a licensed Medicare agent can help you review your coverage.

Answer: Yes, Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation when it's needed to take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility and other transportation could endanger your health. Coverage and your out-of-pocket costs depend on your Medicare coverage and the circumstances of the transport. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact Medicare, your plan, or a licensed Medicare agent.

Answer: It can definitely be confusing. Medicare has several enrollment periods, each with different rules:

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15–December 7. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, with changes effective January 1.

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1–March 31. If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan, if eligible).

• Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Available in certain situations, such as moving, losing other creditable coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or other qualifying life events.

The enrollment period available to you depends on your current coverage and individual circumstances. If you're unsure which one applies, a licensed Medicare agent can help you review your options.

Answer: January is when many Medicare plans begin their new plan year. Your premiums, copays, deductibles, or prescription drug costs may change based on your plan's annual updates. If you're unsure why your costs changed, review your plan documents or contact your plan or a licensed Medicare agent for assistance.

Answer: You can have both Medicare and a concierge physician. Medicare covers eligible medical services, while the concierge fee covers extra services and enhanced access not typically covered by Medicare. The specific arrangement depends on the physician's concierge practice and participation with Medicare.

Answer: I stay up to date by completing annual Medicare training and certifications, reviewing updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), attending carrier training sessions and webinars, reading plan communications and Annual Notices of Change (ANOCs), and regularly reviewing Medicare guidelines to ensure I provide accurate and current information to beneficiaries.

Answer: Yes. Medicare costs and benefits can change each year. For 2026, key changes include updated premiums and deductibles, changes to some Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap for Part D prescription drugs

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent can save you time, reduce confusion, and help ensure you're enrolled in a plan that fits your healthcare needs and budget.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Expert Guidance: Medicare has many parts, rules, enrollment periods, and plan options. An experienced agent can explain your choices in plain language and help you avoid costly mistakes.

• Plan Comparisons: Rather than reviewing dozens of plans on your own, an agent can compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Part D prescription drug plans based on your specific needs.

• Prescription Drug Analysis: Agents can review your medications and preferred pharmacies to help identify plans that may offer the lowest overall prescription costs.

• Provider Verification: An agent can help confirm whether your doctors, hospitals, and specialists participate in a plan's network before you enroll.

• No Additional Cost: Medicare plans generally compensate agents directly, so there is typically no additional fee for using an agent's services.

• Ongoing Support: Medicare isn't a one-time decision. A good agent can help you review your coverage each year, answer questions, and assist when plan benefits or healthcare needs change.

• Enrollment Assistance: Agents can help ensure applications are completed correctly and submitted on time, reducing the risk of delays or enrollment issues.

• Advocacy and Problem Solving: If you encounter billing questions, coverage concerns, or enrollment issues, an agent can often help navigate the process and connect you with the right resources.

Medicare is one of the most important decisions you'll make in retirement. Having a knowledgeable Medicare agent on your side can provide confidence that you're making an informed choice and help you get the most value from your benefits.

Answer: You could respond with something like this:

If you're taking a brand-name medication with no generic alternative, the most important step is to compare Medicare Part D plans based on your specific prescription, not just the plan premium.

Every Part D plan has its own formulary (drug list), tier structure, and pharmacy network. A medication that is affordable on one plan may be very expensive on another.

I recommend:

1- Enter your medications into the Medicare Plan Finder during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period.

2- Check whether the drug is on the plan's formulary and what tier it falls into.

3- Compare the total annual cost, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance—not just the monthly premium.

4- Verify whether your preferred pharmacy is in-network and whether mail-order pricing is available.

5- Ask your doctor if there are therapeutic alternatives that may be covered more favorably, even if there is no generic equivalent.

Thanks to the Medicare Part D redesign, there is now an annual out-of-pocket prescription drug spending cap, which can provide significant protection for beneficiaries taking high-cost medications.

As a Medicare advisor, I always run a personalized drug analysis before recommending a plan because the lowest-premium plan is often not the lowest-cost plan once medications are factored in.