Crystal Burney, Medicare Insurance Agent

About Me

My name is Crystal Burney, and I’m here to help educate and empower you with personalized health and life insurance solutions—so you can have true peace of mind. Whether you’re looking to secure your family's financial future, cover unexpected medical expenses, or just want to better understand your options, I’m here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

I’m committed to making the process simple, clear, and tailored to your unique needs.

With access to a range of trusted insurance plans and a genuine dedication to your well-being, I’ll help you find coverage that truly fits. No pressure, no confusing jargon—just real support and education for real people.

Warmest Regards

Crystal Burney

479-966-8808

Get in touch with Crystal using this form

Q&A with Crystal Burney

What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?

Answer: What I love most about being a Medicare agent is the opportunity to educate people about the benefits available to them, and how to truly make the most of those benefits. I'm blessed to help individuals find a plan that suits their unique needs and wants. Sitting across the kitchen table, getting to know someone personally, and building a relationship based on trust is the part I treasure most. Walking out the door knowing I’ve helped someone feel more secure about their healthcare, and given their family peace of mind, is a feeling of complete satisfaction and joy.

What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?

Answer: With a PPO you have more flexibility to see Doctors, and specialist both in and out of network and many plans don't require referrals depending on your specific plan, the out-of-pocket cost may be higher but, you can enjoy more freedom. With an HMO you are generally required to stay in network, and referrals are usually required, to see specialist, you may have fewer provider options, but by staying in network you benefit from lower out of pocket costs.

I went with Medigap because I travel a lot, but now I'm paying a fortune in premiums. Did I make a mistake?

Answer: I would not say you made a mistake, everybody's situation is different, and comes with unique needs. I recommend working with a local advisor who can help you evaluate your specific circumstances and explore all of your options so you can make an informed decision that is right for you.

Can you help me understand Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limits in Medicare plans, from your experience as an agent?

Answer: In simplified terms MOOP or Max Out of Pocket cost is the most you will have to pay for COVERED healthcare services in a year under your Medicare plan. This means as your copays, coinsurance and deductibles are paid throughout the year, and they meet the MOOP amount, you will not pay out of pocket anymore throughout the year.

For example, if your Medicare Advantage plan has a MOOP of 5,000.00 and you hit that amount in medical costs Copays, Coinsurance and deductibles, during the year, you will not pay anything more for covered services the rest of the year.

I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?

Answer: I would need to sit down with you for a full assessment of your health, budget, and lifestyle to build a plan that fits your needs, as each individual's needs are different, there are definitely a few different options we can explore.

One option is Original Medicare paired with a Supplement plan and a Part D drug plan, which gives you the freedom to see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare. This is great for frequent travelers, or another option is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan that may offer coverage in both states and include a broader network. Some of these plans can work well for people splitting time between two locations.

Does Medicare cover nutrition counseling for high cholesterol?

Answer: Medicare does not cover nutrition counseling specifically for High cholesterol, under its Medical Nutrition Therapy program, HOWEVER, if you have one of these other conditions, Diabetes, CKD or have had a kidney transplant in the past 36 months, and you receive a referral from your PCP to a registered dietitian, you may be able to receive Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), through your Medicare Part B plan. There are some Medicare Advantage plans that offer added nutrition benefits, so it is worth checking with your plan provider to find out more information, about these benefits.

If you need help checking your plan or exploring options that offer nutrition counseling, I'm happy to help.

Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?

Answer: Medicare Part A does cover key hospital, related services such as inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and limited home health care. However, it does not cover doctor services during a hospital stay like physician visits, surgeries, outpatient care, or prescription drugs. The easiest way to understand it is that Part A pays for the “building” part of your stay, but without Part B, the “doctor” part is not covered. Even with Part A, out-of-pocket costs can be high. In 2025, the deductible for days 1–60 is $1,676, days 61–90 cost $419 per day, and after day 90, it jumps to $838 per day. These costs can occur more than once a year, and there is no cap on how much you may have to pay out-of-pocket, and these costs could incur more than once a year. The good news there are plans available other than just Part A and B, that can help you cover these costs more efficiently, such as Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans.

Give me a call so we can explore your options, and help you find a plan that fits your specific needs.