DeeDee Whitlock, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Find a Senior Market Specialist that is recommended by friends, local senior center or even your Doctor, to get the most up to date information

Answer: I go over every part of Medicare & how it works, We are able to offer most plans available in our area so that way the client has many choices to look at!

Answer: It changes every single year & I make sure to educate my clients to be SURE to reevaluate their plans annually

Answer: Enrolling in Part B while still enrolled in an employer group plan, or taking the least amount of coverage thinking they were going to stay healthy & had a serious illness they were not prepared for

Answer: In my opinion original Medicare & Medicare Supplement is the better option! Because it keeps YOU in control of your health options & not the insurance carrier

Answer: not talking to a specialist about ALL the options available to them, talking to people over the phone who you will not be able to find when you have a problem

Answer: Everyone's situation is different, If you are enrolled in an employer group plan with more than 20 employees no penalty will be accessed

Answer: YES, Medicare Supplemental plans do NOT have enrollment periods & this gives you the option to change year around

Answer: Medicare does NOT cover Assisted Living facilities at all, You will need a long-term Care policy to cover that expense.

Answer: That is a CPA question but in most cases the answer is NO premiums for Medicare have no tax benefits

Answer: Use Medicare.gov to check all your medication or go see a LOCAL specialist who can check that for you!!

Answer: I recommend a Medicare Supplement to help with the expenses associated with Hospital expense. There are so many options that will put an out of pocket max so that if something tragic happens you will have the coverage

Answer: If you would meet with a LOCAL Senior Market Specialist they can show you different Medicare Supplemental plans available to you that cover those copays, coinsurance and deductibles

Answer: My best advice is to meet with a local agent who specializes in ALL Medicare products and is referred to you by your doctors office or a friend who has good knowledge of that agents reputation

Answer: Most people do not choose a Medicare Advantage plan because they do not want the restrictions on network providers or want an insurance carrier in control of their medical care!

Answer: In my opinion as long as you stay healthy you can go without a Medicare supplement! BUT in case you EVER have anything serious medically you will not be any better covered than you will be with Medicare & Supplemental plan

Answer: These are Medicare Advantage Plans that have a network of doctors that help people with certain diagnosis that cater to helping you with those illnesses

Answer: The reasons an agent is beneficial is To have an advocate on your side to help through the process & keep updated with all the changes every year!! You price & coverage is not affected by that agent and if you enroll from a website you still have an agent that is attached to that website and is getting commissions

Answer: Biggest red flag it might be a Medicare scam is that they called you!!! It is against Medicare policy to initiate a phone call to a Medicare Beneficiary to market a Medicare plan PERIOD!!! So if they call you HANG UP!! find a local agent who you can trust, ask your friends or even your Dr's office for referrals for an honest agent!!

Answer: Medicare Part D as well as Part C make changes annually and I encourage you to have your agent reevaluate your plan EVERY year!!! Even if your Rx drugs have NOT changed the plan can change and Medicare can change as well!!

Answer: As long as you have employer group with more than 20 employees there is nothing you need to do until you decide to retire

Answer: Medicare Broker sometimes refers to an insurance agent who is licensed with several companies when agents can be only licensed thru just one carrier BUT I am a broker & refer to myself as an agent & broker so that can be the same thing!! BUT we can NOT refer to ourselves as a MEDICARE agent or broker legally, only a Senior Market Specialist or something to that kind of wording. Just know Medicare does not have agents themselves if they EVER say they are with Medicare that is a scam HANG UP!!!

Answer: Most people who ignore an advisors advice want a plan that has a 0 premium & another agent is NOT completely truthful with them & the Senior really wants to believe them so they buy something that is usually based off of lies, only to find out later plan they bought isn't what they thought it was!

Answer: You are NOT being denied Medicare, that is available to you at 65 or if on disability at younger age. Medigap is an EXTRA plan that covers out of pocket that Medicare don't and therefore you are subject to underwriting!!

Answer: you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a replacement Medicare card or log on to your MyMedicare.gov account & order one through there

Answer: Locally you can walk into an office and get service from that agent, remote/virtual maybe working out of their home & when you need them you may NOT have access to them

Answer: EVERY trustworthy insurance agent MUST require a SOA signed before ANY details can be discussed for Part C or Part D. NO ONE IS EXEMPT! If you did NOT sign one then your agent has already broke the Medicare guidelines to marketing Medicare plans

Answer: I make sure that My Medicare Advantage client understands they are restricted to a network for lowest cost & Mayo Clinic & MD Anderson cancer center usually will not accept ANY Medicare Advantage plan

Answer: You will get guarantee issue coming off employer group within 63 days of losing group. Insurance company may ask for proof of group or a certificate of coverage to get the guarantee issue

Answer: Medigap does not have a network of providers like Medicare Advantage does. You can go to any Dr that accepts Medicare with medigap plans

Answer: It is absolutely ok to meet with multiple brokers! By meeting with different brokers you will get an idea of what all is available to you and you can get a feel of how things work. I always advise my clients to get recommendations from friends or Doctors offices for the honest agents in your area