David Ryerson, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: An indemnity plan can be a very good solution for someone who's supplement is climbing in price, or who simply cannot afford a supplement anymore. The benefits on the indemnity should equal or exceed copayments on the advantage plan. Also, if it is in budget also consider getting a critical illness (cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc) indemnity, so if a covered condition occurs, those costs would be addressed.

Answer: Find a good agent who will take as much time as necessary to help you understand the differences in what is available, and assist you with picking an option with which YOU feel comfortable. It is YOUR coverage, not theirs. If you feel like you're being pressured into something you aren't comfortable with, don't sign the line. It is important that you have a working knowledge of your coverage. Don't just pick something because the sales agent told you that's what you need. Education -> decision.

Answer: Yes. Part A has a fairly substantial deductible for being in the hospital that you will have to pay (while on just A&B). Part B has a small deductible but it has 20% coinsurance that you will be billed for, and there is NO LIMIT on that coinsurance. I strongly recommend that you talk to a licensed agent about your options to address these gaps.

Answer: That it pays for everything. Most people don't realize Part B has no limit on the 20% coinsurance. That adds up very quickly.

Answer: It means coverage that is equal to or better than the standard that Medicare sets.

If you have a group plan through your job, you can ask the benefits administrator (someone at HR normally) to give you a letter saying the coverage is or isn't creditable.

If your coverage IS creditable, you can delay enrolling in B and/or D and not face a penalty in the future. If your coverage is NOT creditable, you will face a late enrollment penalty for not enrolling when you first become eligible.

Answer: Yes. Most of the time the applications have medical questions in them, and can deny you based on their criteria.

Answer: You can have anybody you want help you with it, but unless that person has power of attorney for you, you have to be the one to make the decision and sign the application.

Answer: If you can afford (and can pass underwriting questions if there are any) a medicare supplement plan then that will give you the most flexibility for domestic travel. Medicare supplement plan do not have their own network, so as long as the doctor takes Medicare, you're good.

If you want to get an advantage plan, you'd want to select a company that has a large national network, and perhaps offers out-of-network coverage. If you go to an area frequently, you'd want to look at urgent care and hospitals there, to make sure they are in-network.

For international coverage, I'd use just pick up a travel policy for each trip. They don't cost very much at all and offer great coverage.

Answer: Great question, and it addresses an issue in healthcare; preventing a disease, and/or catching it in early stages is FAR better than waiting till it is advanced to begin treatment. To help with this, some insurance companies offer incentives to their members to participate in activities that will help them become and stay healthy. Some health plans offer gym membership, in-home nurse visits to do a basic exam, and other perks. Medicare also has a long list of preventative exams and screenings that are covered 100%. Really good question!

Answer: Food cards.

To get the plans that have those benefits you have to either have a qualifying health condition, or you have to have Medicare (federal) and Medicaid (through your state). To get on Medicaid you have to fall below income and asset limits. Most people don't qualify.

The TV commercials hawking the food cards are just to get you to call the number on the screen. Don't.

Answer: They need to be a US citizen, or a permanent legal resident for at least five years.

Cost for A&B may be higher (or lower, depending on qualification for assistance programs) than the standard premium.

Answer: The max out of pocket is a cap on expenses you may have for covered medical services (copays, etc). If your costs hit this cap, you generally don't have any more out of pocket costs for covered expenses for the rest of the calendar year. This cap does NOT include prescription medicines, or expenses for services not covered under the plan.

Answer: The government takes the $185/month they take out of your Social Security check, put it together with several hundred they take from your fellow taxpayers, and they cut a check to the private insurance company to handle providing your Medicare benefits. That's how the company can check you $0/month for the plan, because the government is paying them for it.

Answer: Ads have to be approved by Medicare, but that really only is to make sure that they aren't outright lying.

People who are confused are easier to push into making a decision to switch plans. If I can confuse you, it is easier for me to convince you that I alone have the answer.

This is why it is VITAL for you to have a person you can call, somebody you trust, who will lay out options and let you make a choice that YOU feel is best. Don't pick a plan because somebody told you to, pick a plan that you believe is right for you.

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!