Corey Schuler, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: If you are not on insulin, you may still be eligible for Medicare coverage of a CGM. Keep a record of your glucose levels and share it with your provider. If you have had qualifying hypoglycemic events and evidence of prior treatment adjustment, or if you have had a hypoglycemic event requiring third-party assistance, then you should qualify for access to a CGM.

Answer: I feel that the worst Medicare Advantage plans are the ones that don't include your doctors and hospitals in the network, or they don't cover your prescriptions. A bad plan is one that you can't use freely, or they have too many limitations.

Answer: If you are still working and are turning 65, you will want to verify how your current coverage works with Medicare. Depending on the size of your employer's group plan, you may need to sign up for Medicare. For example, if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, then Medicare pays first. Or, if your employer has fewer than 20 employees but is part of a multi-employer plan with 20 or more employees, that insurance would pay first. Additionally, if your employer has 20 or more employees, your group insurance would also pay first. If you get free Part A, you can sign up for that when turning 65, but talk with your benefits manager to see if any of those situations mentioned above apply to you. You can then make an informed decision on whether or not you can delay getting Medicare Part B.

Answer: With Medicare Advantage plans, providers can leave the network at any time during the year. You can always switch your provider to an in-network provider should this happen to you.

Answer: Medicare is available in US territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. If you have an Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan, you would need to sign up for a new plan. If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, simply notify the plan of your move.

Answer: To avoid speaking to a possible scam artist, you can always verify the credentials of the agent by visiting your state's Department of Insurance website and doing an agent lookup. While there, you can also see which insurance companies they are affiliated with by reviewing their appointments. Additionally, do not share your Medicare beneficiary number, Social Security number, or any other identifying information with them until you feel confident that they are legitimate.

Answer: There are many gaps when it comes to having Original Medicare coverage. For one, Original Medicare does not include drug coverage. Additionally, there is no coverage extension if you are traveling outside the US. In addition, there is no dental, vision or hearing coverage. And lastly, there are many holes when it comes to deductibles, co-insurance, and copays. For these reasons, I like to present my clients with multiple coverage options, so that they are not left with any gaps in their health insurance.

Answer: One Medicare decision that many people regret is failing to review their plan for the upcoming year. Each September, the Medicare Advantage companies send out the Annual Notice of Change or "ANOC" letters to their members. Too often, people do not open these letters, and therefore, they fail to review the potential impact of these changes on their plan. I advise all my clients to schedule a quick review during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) to ensure they are still on the best plan for their healthcare needs.

Answer: The easiest way to get peace of mind with Medicare is by exploring Medicare Supplement plans. Medicare Supplement plans, aka "Medigap" plans, charge you a monthly fee or "premium" to help you fill in the gaps of Original Medicare. These fixed costs help you budget for your healthcare and avoid financial stress that comes with large unexpected medical bills.

Answer: Yes, Medicare Advantage plans must cover home health care, just like Original Medicare. The out-of-pocket costs can vary between plans. Check your plan's summary of benefits for more details.

Answer: To help save on prescription drug costs, you want to first make sure that you are on the best Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan for the drugs you currently take. Next, you can explore using mail-order pharmacies to help lessen your costs. Additionally, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any manufacturer discount programs currently available. If you have limited income and resources, the Extra Help program can help reduce the cost of your drugs by reducing your copays, coinsurance, deductibles, premiums, and other costs. Lastly, ask your doctor if a generic version of the medication would be a suitable alternative to the costly name-brand drug.

Answer: Working with a licensed Medicare agent saves you both time and money. We can quickly narrow down the best plans for your needs, without spending hours researching or calling multiple insurance companies. Additionally, we can help you avoid costly mistakes by avoiding the temptation to "DIY" your Medicare. Our help is completely free, and we are here year-round to support you.

Answer: What I love most about being a Medicare agent is helping people feel confident and informed about their healthcare decisions. It's incredibly rewarding to simplify something so complex and make a real difference in someone's life.