Dan Green, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: First of all, experience. A seasoned Medicare Agent can walk you through several Medicare Supplement plans that fit your needs. Personally picking a plan through an agent can save you money. I recently talked with an 84 year old paying over $320/ month on Plan F

She now pays $216/ month on Plan G. The difference in premium more than covers the Part B deductible and still saves her almost $1000 / year. Medicare Advantage plans work similarly. Finding the right plan and making the right choice is extremely important and partnering with an agent that has your best interest at heart means the world to people.

Answer: The legal term is " Zero Cost". While Medicare Advantage plans have no monthly cost in most cases, that doesn't mean it won't cost. Think of Medicare Advantage plans as " pay as you go" plans. Copays for daily hospital stays, specialist visits, x-rays, MRI, cat scans , etc can add up. Pay close attention to the carrier's MOOP. MOOP means maximum out of pocket. In some cases it is a better financial decision to pay $1400-1600 per year for a Medicare Supplement than pay $3500+ for a Medicare Advantage plan. Make sure you have an agent that can share the advantages/ disadvantages to each choice.

Answer: Seminars are a chance for an agent to spotlight what they do well. You don't need to attend a seminar to get the same information if you are speaking with a seasoned agent who put YOU first.

I would have my radar up. Like all industries,there are good and bad . Choose wisely and carefully.

Answer: Simple does not always equal successful. Every Medicare recipient has a set of doctor, hospitals, pharmacies and prescriptions that uniquely defines what plans may fit your needs. Your healthcare is too important to shrug off a decision based solely on cost.

Answer: Your parents bring a unique experience and perspective that could be of value, however, Medicare has changed so much since your parents started Medicare that some information that they have may be obsolete. In the Medicare Supplement world, Plans H,I and J that included help with Prescriptions are no longer available. Plans C and F are no longer available if you turned 65 after January 1st,2020. Medicare Advantage plans are relatively new to the market. If you want your parents to be involved, invite them to the consultation with a seasoned agent.

Answer: Unfortunately, this is a reality. Having a "Zero Cost" Medicare Advantage plan gives a Medicare recipient a false sense of security in some cases. Too many people don't plan for that 5 day $325/ day hospital stay with a bunch of tests while in the hospital, putting them in a tough financial situation. I always want to know if a Medicare recipient has planned for a bill similar to the scenario listed above. A discussion about the possibility of adding another plan to cover these bills may be necessary.

Answer: Yes. If you have not met the requirements for a no cost Medicare Part A, there will be a cost to you. It is on your best interest to contact a Social Security office near you to learn about your options.

Answer: The term " medically necessary" is what a doctor needs to tell the insurance carriers to determine whether it will be covered under Medicare or not. As technology increases, more and more items that were not covered in the past are covered today. "Help" as we all know, can be very subjective.

Answer: Many seniors are bombarded with telemarketing calls and they chase the " shiny object" that may not always be in their best interest. Just because a plan has a giveback of money or a better dental benefit or a card to use for groceries doesn't make it better by those merits alone. It is in a senior's best interest to seek out a licensed professional agent with more than ten years of experience to guide them.

Answer: Assuming you are referring to Medicare Supplements here, your premium for any attained age policy is based on your age, your location, an "inflation" factor and claims. If climate change is causing an uptick in claims then it will effect what you pay.

Answer: Yes. There are two timelines such as Open Enrollment Period (January 1st -March 31st) and Annual Enrollment Period (October 15th- December 7th) each year to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. There are many other ways to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan- the most common of which is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Enrollment in a 5- star plan would open up a SEP and therefore allow a Medicare Advantage Participant to change plans into a 5- star plan anytime during the year using the SEP.