Darnel Brown, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: It depends. If new to Medicare turning 65 during the year and looking for coverage current year plans are available for you to review and join based date of part A & B . But if you are on a plan after March 31. The new plans Medicare Advantage will not be live until October 1.

Medicare Supplements are available all year long.

Answer: It depends

In most cases reasonable healthy seniors, it can work if your doctors and medications work with the plan you are looking to join. But it does have limitations on providers and you must have referals for some procedures and doctors on some plans.

Answer: Well yes that would be helpful.

It can be very confusion to stay up to date on changes without an personal agent.

Making call centers not able to bombard seniors with unwanted constant phone calls.

Answer: The tiers in a RX plan can be confusing .

Usually tiers 1 and tiers 2 are your generic medications such as blood pressure

Then tier 3 are brand drugs Ozempic and some preferred generics

Tier 4 &5 are high cost special drugs

It is always wise to verify your drugs before enrollment in a plan.

Each Company has a different formulary which drug tier can very.

Meaning could cost more due to tier classification of a particular medication

Answer: Not all hospitals deny Medicare Advantage plans. It is very important before signing up for your Advantage plans to make sure your doctors

As well as hospitals are in network. In emergency all hospitals by law have to accept you. This is an exception

Answer: Set an appointment, discuss their needs, budget, medications, and primary doctor.

I always like to give educational seminars

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are not free. But there are plans that have 0 premiums. But there will be copays and coinsurance cost, as well as RX copay. They may also offer extra benefit that original medicare do not offer

Answer: There is a Home Care coverage Medicare covers, but you should always work with and agent to explain your coverage on the plan you choose after you review of plans

Answer: Once you are on a Medicare supplement and have past your Open Enrollment period, yes the carrier has the right to have you answer Medical question, do underwriting to decide to approve or deny coverage based on Medical question.

Answer: The medicare plans do have a tendency to be confusing. You cannot always compare plans in different cities as well zip codes. Plans usually are based on city, county and state.

It is therefore good to consult a professional for plan benefits in your area

Answer: OEP you do not have to answer medical questions. The month of turning 65 and 5 months after. But as far as Guaranteed Issue, If your Medicare Advantage plan terminates in your area or your

Medicare Supplement plan is also leaving the area, both situations give you the opportunity to receive a Special Election Period to enroll in a Medicare Supplement no questions asked, Guaranteed Issue.

Answer: There are tables which can help in determining the excess cost of you Medicare part B premiums. But it always best to contact a Medicare agent/broker to help with the clarity and how it will effect your situation

Answer: A certified/licensed Medicare agent or Broker.

Medicare can be complicated with continuing law changes as well as plans, doctors and networks. Not even to mention the RX cost

Answer: Well with the new limit for 2026 being $2,100 , once that is reached, the insurance carrier is responsible for all RX cost for that current year.

A great assistance for helping with high cost of Brand RX

Answer: It is always best to work with Social Security on IRMMA .

It always good to be proactive.

That way you have worked and notified Social Security of you current or changing situation

Answer: With the new laws, a person on Part D can enroll with their plan to set up payment plan to assist and spread cost to make affordable.

Also working with primary care doctor through manufacture's discount pricing

Answer: If a senior is still working turning 65, to avoid late enrollment fees, they should enroll in Part A, with the option to decline Part B & D if they have creditable insurance with their employer.

If retiring they can then look at their options.

Answer: Medicare Agents should be Certified/licensed by carriers, as well as verse in products.

Able to compare and find the right plan for the clients situation, budget and prescriptions

Answer: Scope of appointment should be filled out and signed by a licensed agent

Agents information is shown on the form

Therefore signed by licensed agent as well as certified / licensed for any appropriate line of insurance