David Ryerson, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: A Plan N covers 100% of Part B coinsurance, except for copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits (if not admitted as an inpatient). Since it is a supplement and works hand-in-hand with original Medicare, assuming the MRI is covered by Medicare, the N will cover it as well. If your Part B deductible has already been met for the year, then the supplement should cover it in full.

Answer: Medicare does not cover long-term care. Or dental or vision care (except in very limited circumstances). Or hearing care. Or cosmetic surgery, or acupuncture/alternative treatments.

Answer: Dr networks can be an issue in some areas of the country. Since most advantage plans work off provider networks, this can be a problem. Original medicare, alongside a medicare supplement plan, do not have any networks outside of medicare itself. Always check your doctors and hospitals before enrolling in a plan.

Answer: No. The IRS does not consider Medicare premiums to be a qualified medical expense. Thus, you cannot use an HSA to pay premiums.

Answer: Yes. You can meet with as many people as you want to. You are not obligated to "sign up" with any one person, or with any agent at all.

Answer: Typically, experimental treatments and clinical trials are not considered to be a covered benefit under original Medicare. In some cases, your provider could request, based on medical reasons, for the specific need to be covered, but in general these things are not covered benefits.

Answer: If they don't enroll in Part B or Part D when they first become eligible then they pay a late enrollment penalty. This is a lifetime penalty. While there are times when the state will pay the penalty for you (based on income/assets), the penalty does not go away.

Answer: No. Keep paying your premiums and you will stay on Medicare. Original Medicare is not medically underwritten.

Answer: Plan F, as a medicare supplement, works hand in hand with original medicare, and pays what original medicare does not pay. F covers the Part B deductible. I would not expect you to have an ER copayment.

Answer: You would want to look at the Summary of Benefits to see what the coverage is on hearing aids. For something like this generally calling member services is going to be your best option.

Answer: There are savings programs that your state may offer that can pay some of the premiums and copayments. Qualification is usually based on income and assets.

Answer: The biggest problem I see in the marketing and sales practices is the overseas calls that just won't stop. Senior's phones ring off the hook all day every day, and when they answer the person switches them to a plan they don't know. Yes, this should be more tightly regulated.

Answer: In some areas it is. Your plan MAY offer out of network dental coverage, so I would check into that, then when the enrollment time comes you'd want to search dental networks on the plans you're considering, so you know which one might be a good fit.

Answer: That depends on a few different things. Are they covered through a job plan? Do they qualify for Part A at no cost to them? How big is the employer? How much are they paying for the work coverage.

There is no one single answer to this question, each situation is unique.

Answer: Since Medicare is mostly based on your own work history, and how long you have paid in Medicare taxes through the years, it is not typically a big factor. However, if your household income is above certain levels then you might have to pay more for some plans and coverage.

Answer: Building relationships with my clients over the years. I have some that I have been with for 5+ years. To me, as a professional, the relationship built on mutual trust is very important to me.

Answer: In my first meeting with a new client, I always take time to give them a high level overview of what Medicare is; the different parts, the basic costs associated with each, etc. We also discuss the good and bad of advantage plans, supplements, drug plans, and original medicare. It is very important to me that my clients understand what they have, not sign up purely because I recommended something. It is your coverage, not mine. Enroll in what works for you!