Dee Ethridge, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: An agent should not "push" any plan. What type of Medicare plan is good for you will depend on your health, finances, if you travel a lot, your doctors and a few other things. There are different plans, both Advantage and Medigap, that fit different needs for different people. Maybe your agent feels that a Medicare Advantage plan would fit you the best.

Answer: Unfortunately, yes, that is normal. For many years the Medicare Advantage plans have given very good dental benefits. Over the years, the benefits have been reduced due to a decrease in government funding. This year most plans offer coverage for preventative - your cleanings, x-rays and exams. Very few plans offer anything additional dental coverage.

Answer: The cost of the plans is not random. Everybody pays for their Medicare Part B. This year $185.00 for most people. Most Medicare Advantage plans are zero premiums but you still pay your Medicare Part B. On the other hand, if you have traditional Medicare (Part A and B) and you have a medigap plan, those plans will be an additional fee. On average $200.00 to $250.00 depending on the company and plan that you choose. Plus you will need an additional plan for drug coverage.

Answer: Medicare part A is hospital coverage and very good coverage but you do have to pay (for 2026) $1716.00 per admission per benefit period. A benefit period is 60 days for the time you are admitted. During that benefit period you can go in and out of the hospital several times and you will not pay $1716.00 again. But after that benefit period you will pay $1716.00 again. So Medicare part A coverage is not 100%.

Answer: I am not sure exactly what your question is. But I can tell you that having your medications on an app will be much easier to keep up with, for your pharmacist, for your doctor to reference, to put in you Medicare information, etc. Agents will also need a list of your medications to see which Medicare plan will cover them the best, not all plans are the same.

Answer: IRMAA charges for 2026 are based on your income from 2024. If you made above $110,000 for an individual or $220,000 for a couple, you will have to pay additional premiums for medicare. To reduce that amount your income would have to be reduced. If you call Medicare, they can be extremely helpful with your questions.

Answer: As long as you keep your employer coverage you can wait with no problem and no penalties. When you want to sign up with Medicare start the process a couple of months in advance. They will be a form for you and your employer to complete to prove you had credible coverage

Answer: I honestly don’t know., But with all the scams going on it there a lot of people are scared to trust anyone. They don’t know who to trust.

Answer: The savings program can help some low income beneficiaries with out of pocket costs like premiums, copays and coinsurance

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans do cover acupuncture and chiropractors, although both have limited coverages, normally for your back only and you will still pay your copay or coinsurance

Answer: Yes, you are correct. Before choosing a plan your agent should check to make sure all of your doctors take the plan and that all of your medications are covered. If you are not happy with your plan you have the Oct 15th - Dec 7th to pick a plan for the following year. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you also have Jan 1st - March 31st to change to another Advantage plan.

Answer: There are different types of coverage. One single type of plan doesn't necessarily fit everybody with their individual situation. That is why different types of plans are offered. You have to find the type of coverage and plan that fits your individual needs the best.

Answer: Advantage plans as well as traditional Medicare cover mental health office visits and group sessions as well as psychiatric care and virtual visits. Under the Advantage plans they will each have different copays but are generally billed as an office visit. Under traditional Medicare the visit or session would also be billed as an office visit under part B. So with traditional Medicare you would be responsible for 20% unless you have supplemental coverage.

Answer: Not everyone understand insurance. Others like to take advantage of our Seniors. I understand insurance and Medicare. My goal is to help as many as I can get coverage that fits them and help them avoid getting scammed. I too am a Senior, so I want to be a trusted source. Besides, I like to get to know my clients. They become my family.

Answer: As a general rule of thumb, if you are new to Medicare, no you cannot. Otherwise, you are subject to underwriting, so yes you can be denied. However, there are a couple of other incidences that you can get a supplemental plan without underwriting.

Answer: The donut hole is no longer. You now have a deductible to meet and once the deductible is met, and the total cost of your drugs (what you pay and the manufacturer pays) reaches $2000, there is nothing else for you to pay.

Answer: Benefits change every year for Medicare Advantage plans. This year most of the benefits are decreasing. If you are concerned you might consider getting supplemental coverage to help where your plan leaves you vunerable. If you have traditional Medicare and a supplemental, your benefits will not change, even with Medicare cuts.

Answer: Your health does not affect your current Medicare plan at all. They will continue to pay as they always have. If you have traditional Medicare and a supplemental plan, I would not change. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you might want to compare your current plan with other Advantage plans to see if there is one that would fit your situation better.

Answer: Good afternoon! Your disability will change to regular ssi. Once you turn 65 you can change your plan. I'll be happy to help you with that or answer questions.