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
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.