Cleo Martin, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: I would apply for my medicare card. Then i would learn the difference between regular medicare and a medicare advantage. Then you cn decide which is better for your situation.

Answer: With a Medicae advantage PPo you have a greater choice of doctors in the network, and can go out of the network if who you want to see is not in their network. If out go out of the network it will cost you more per visit. With a HMo you have a more limited amount of doctors that are in the network. You may or may not e able to go out of the network.

Answer: I would find out how long they have been selling Med supps and Medicare Advantages and why they like this market. I would also have them explain the difference between the two. Can they do it in a way that you understand stand it. I would also like to know how many companies they represent. If just one then that's all you will get told about. They should also be asking you questions about your doctor's, like their names. Plus the drugs you are taking and what your specific health situation is. They should be asking questions to find out what your enrollment situation is. The health situation will tell them what you may or may not qualify for. By getting these questions asked hopefully it will give you a better feel of the agent and if they can assist you or not.

Cleo Martin

Answer: Yes, because you don't have to worry about networks for doctors and hospitals. You also don't have to worry if you have traveling benefits.

Answer: Medicare and a Medicare supplement are 2 completely different things. Medicare is what you paid into. A Medicare supplement is from a private insurance company. They have underwriting questions that you have to be able to answer correctly or they can deny you. They are completely separate things. The supplement works with Medicare to pay what Medicare doesn't pay. Medicare is what you paid into all these years. A Medicare supplement is something you have to purchase. Different companies have different questions so depending on your health situation, you may or may not be able to by one. Hope this helps explain.

Cleo Martin

803-730-8368

Answer: The biggest disadvantages to a Medicare Advantage is the limited network for the doctors and hospitals and the fact that it it managed care. The insurance companies are making decisions about how you will be treated. They can deny a treatment if they don't feel it is necessary. With the networks, what if your doctor you want to see is not in their network? Plus you have a large out of pocket for maximum out of pocket (moop).

Cleo Martin

803-730-8368

Answer: You would pay 20% of the approved amount. It would be hard to k ow exact amount because it would depend on what was billed by provider.

Answer: You can set up the patient payment plan with your prescription company at any time to help pay for the cost of expensive drugs. They will divide the cost by number of months left in the year, then enter you a bill each month to pay for them. It can change each month because of another prescription added.

Answer: With Original Medicare you pay a premium each month. Then depending on the plan you pay the deductible. After deductible is paid then Medicare pays it part and the supplement pays the rest of what is owed. There are NO networks for doctors or hospitals, so you can go to who ever you want without a referral. Now the premium on Medicare supplement can go up each year as you get older but as long as you pay the premium you can't be canceled. There is no dental or Hearing benefits, and no silver sneakers. With Medicare Advantage it is managed care by insurance companies. Usually there is no premium but a cost everything you use it. Be it a specialist, trays, MRI's?, hospitals. There is maximum out of pocket you would pay each year. Your doctors and hospitals need to be in their network. They do give you dental, vision, hearing and some other benefits. Drug benefits are included with MA, you have to buy a separate drug card with original Medicare. These are some of major differences.

Cleo Martin

803-730-8368

Answer: The plan probably changed their co-pays from last year along with doing away with the donut hole.

Answer: Original Medicare does not cover these items. Some Medicare advantage plans have some coverage for safety items but is limited.

Answer: Maybe not on each prescription, the the maximum amount you could spend in a year has gone down from $8000 to $2000. And the $2000 is made up of what you and others spend. So it could be less.

Answer: That's the difference between z supplement and an advantage. Pay me now, supplement or pay me later, advantage. Th Advantage does have a maximum out of pocket, moop. But with a supplement you know exactly what your costs are for the year. The Part B deductible plus the premium for the supplement. With Advantage you aren't sure. You don't pay until you use it. There is the maximum for the year, but you feel like you are being tickled and dimed. The best way to describe it is---pay me know or pay me later. The now is the supplement every month. The later is the Advantage; which you pay as you use it. You have to decide which you are comfortable with. The consistency of the supplement payment or the surprises of co-payments when you use it.

Answer: Medicare will cover asthma ad other breathing conditions as long as the doctor says you need treatment. With regular Medicare it would be easier. With a Medicare Advantage you may have to get more approvals from the insurance company since it is managed care.

Answer: You can go to Medicare .gov. They have a program you can put your drugs and your pharmacy in and it will show you the best plan for you. Or, you can contact an agent who usually has a program that will show you what is best. Neither cost. With an agent you will get someone who can explain the different pr

Grams out there and help you figure out what is best for your situation.