Don Golding, Medicare Insurance Broker
Don Golding
Golding Insurance
Medicare Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, OH and OK
5+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Sugar Land, TX
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Phone
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Website
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About Me
I am a local broker here to help you navigate through all your choices. Never any cost or obligation. It would be my privilege to assist you in choosing your Medicare Plan. I represent 12 Insurance Carriers, and I am able to help with Advantage Care Plans, Supplemental (Medigap) Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. I also hold a National Social Security Advisor certification to help advise you on Social Security timing.
Directions to My Office
My Google Reviews
14 Total Reviews (5.0)
April 20, 2025
Very good service
March 7, 2025
I happened to see a representative from Senior Health Services on Great Day Houston discussing the difficulty in finding or reviewing insurance plans for Medicare coverage. I had a plan but decided to follow up to see where my current plan lined up with others. I am more than happy that I did contact Senior Health Services and received a response from Don. He so graciously took the time to provide a valuable response that will help me now and in the near future.
March 4, 2025
Mr.Golding is always ready to answer any question, take care of my concern and very thorough.
February 11, 2025
Don explained my Medicare choices, gave me real-world examples and practical, logical advice. He explained the costs and benefits of the available plans, so I could make my best-informed decision about which plan to choose.
January 27, 2025
Don is very knowledgeable and professional. He makes the difficult topic of Medicare easier to make informed decisions. I highly recommend Don!
Q&A with Don Golding
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
Answer: Local agents, especially independent brokers, have in-depth knowledge of plans and networks in your area. Additionally, face-to-face communication is the most complete form of communication. This combination of "presence" and local knowledge helps beneficiaries find a plan suited to their specific needs.
I just enrolled in Medicare, and I've got my Part A and B, but I'm hearing there are gaps in coverage. What are these gaps exactly?
Answer: Broadly speaking, Part A covers Hospitalization, skilled nursing confinement, and Hospice. There is a Part A deductible, and copays may apply as well. Part B also has a deductible and covers roughly 80% of covered expenses. Additionally, there are no maximum out-of-pocket limits. Neither Part A nor Part B covers prescription drugs - Part D.
I recommend looking at either a Supplemental (Medigap) Plan with a separate Part D prescription plan or an Advantage Care plan with drug coverage built in to cover the "gaps" in original Medicare.
I'm confused about all these different Medicare costs - premiums, deductibles, copays. How do they all work together?
Answer: Premiums are payments for a policy; they do not count towards a deductible or a maximum out-of-pocket expense. Most people will pay the Medicare Part B premium. There may be additional premiums based on the type of additional policies a beneficiary has enrolled in.
Deductibles are the money you pay before a plan pays for services. Generally, these payments count towards your maximum out-of-pocket.
Copays (and co-insurances) are the costs of your services and count toward your maximum out-of-pocket.
You can find specific amounts in your plan's summary of benefits document.
My income fluctuates significantly year to year from investment distributions. How can I avoid IRMAA surcharges when I have an unusually high-income year?
Answer: To minimize IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharges on your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when income changes, focus on strategies to reduce your Modified Adjusted Gross Income during years of high income. This includes making tax-deductible contributions to retirement accounts, donating appreciated assets to charity, and potentially delaying or timing Roth conversions to avoid unexpected income spikes.
What's the most important question I should be asking about Medicare that I probably haven't thought of yet?
Answer: There's no one question. Everyone's situation is unique. A better approach to your situation is to understand how your plan works for you. What are the premiums? Copays and coinsurance? Is there a deductible? Are my medications covered? What's NOT covered? I recommend a comprehensive analysis of current circumstances and future needs. I would suggest this be done with an independent broker to maximize your choices.
Why are hospitals not taking Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: Hospitals negotiate with insurance companies and plans for payments. Depending on the plan's payment structure, a hospital (or any care provider) makes a business decision to accept the plan(s). Hospitals generally sign multi-year agreements with the insurance carriers.
I went with Medigap because I travel a lot, but now I'm paying a fortune in premiums. Did I make a mistake?
Answer: The type of coverage, Supplemental (Medigap) vs. Advantage, costs, and your value system are very personal decisions. Everyone's circumstances are different. If the cost of your Medigap plan is becoming a burden or it no longer fits your lifestyle, I recommend a review with a local, licensed broker in your area. If appropriate, you can switch to an Advantage Care plan during the next annual enrollment period.