Diane Prentice, Medicare Insurance Broker
Diane Prentice
Health Insurance Choices
Medicare Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, NV and TX
Contact Details
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Location
Gilbert, AZ
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Phone
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Website
About Me
Hello! I'm Diane, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Contact me to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Diane Prentice
I want to get a shingles vaccine. Will Medicare cover this preventive service?
Answer: Yes, Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage plans will cover all CDC recommend vaccines and no cost. The vaccine is given 2-6 months apart. The pharmacy or clinic is usually the one that administers them.
I'm interested in nutrition counseling to help manage my diabetes. Will Medicare cover this as preventive care?
Answer: Yes, this is covered as preventive care and covered at 100%. Your doctor will need to send a referral over to a Medicare approved Medical Nutrition Therapist. It has limited visits.
Medicare Advantage plans can offer more visits.
How can I get dental and vision coverage with Medicare?
Answer: You can purchase a stand-a-lone dental and or vision plan from a private insurance company. There are many to choose from. Work with a broker who can save you time and knows the coverage difference from each type of plan.
Medicare only covers Preventive and Medically Necessary. Dental could be covered in an accident or illness in your mouth. Medicare does not cover preventive, cleaning or major dental procedures.
Vison is Medically but not for a vision text or hardware like glasses or contact lenses. Cataract surgery is covered but there may be a charge for an upgrade on the lens they put in.
Medicare Advantage plan can give your extra benefit that Medicare does not cover like Dental and Vision. These benefits are different from plan to plan and can change the benefit each year. Or go away since they are not a Medicare benefit. This is why it is important to review your Medicare Advntage plans every year.
I'm retiring next year - do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
Answer: I like to recommend it. This way you have an idea of how to plan ahead to see what your estimated cost and options will be for their retirement planning.
Are Medicare Advantage plans guaranteed issue?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plan is a guaranteed issue during eligible enrollment periods. You can not be denied for coverage because of pre-existing health condition.
You must meet all the requirement: enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare PartB, live in the plan area. The are Special Needs or Chronic plans that you would need to meet their conditions to enroll in those plans.
My Medicare Advantage plan advertised dental coverage, but it barely covers anything. Is this normal?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plans benefits change from year to year, from insurance company to insurance company and from plan to plan with in a company. This is why it is important to work with a broker. They will let you know of the changes in your plan. The Dental benefit is not a Medicare benefit so each plan will cover dental differently. It is designed to cover preventive and some will cover some major but with limitations You would need to look at your benefit coverage.
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: Since 2000 I have been helping people navigate the complex system of Medicare. I enjoy helping people make an important decision about the health care, building long-term relationships with many of my clients. The flexibility of helping people and having control over my schedule, financial opportunity and giving people peace of mind that they are on the right plan that fits their needs and budget.
An agent asked me to sign a scope of appointment for before we could discuss my Medicare insurance or part D plan. What is an SOA? Is this normal? Are call centers exempt from this practice?
Answer: A SOA is a Scope of Appointment form that all agents are required to have complete by the person asking for plan information regarding Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug plans and other related products. In most states it is not required for a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan. The agent is only allowed to talk about the products the Medicare beneficiary initiated.
This form does not enroll you in a plan and you are not require you to work with that agent.
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
Answer: If you or your spouse or employer is contributing to a Health Saving Account then NO do not sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B. If you are contributing to a Health Saving Account or don't plan on one in the future then I recommend signing up for Part A only. This way when you get ready to enroll in Part B they are only two Part B forms for you and your employer to complete and then drop off at a Social Security office or upload in your Social Security portal. If your employee has less than 20 employees then you will need to sign up for Part A and Part B.
Sign up for Medicare at www.ssa.gov
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: A Local Independent broker works for you not an insurance company. We know the market, the plans available the networks compliance, the industry, the rules. We do the legwork and save you time. No charge for our service and rates for the plan are the same. We review your options each year if needed.