Dorothy Lam, Medicare Insurance Agent
Dorothy Lam
American Senior Benefits
Medicare Agent Licensed in IL, IA and IN
Contact Details
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Location
Galesburg, IL
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Phone
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Schedule An Appointment
About Me
Hey there, my name is Dorothy Lam, and I am your local Medicare advisor and agent. I specialize in Medicare and am devoted to helping you find the best plan that matches your specific needs and financial situation. I will take care of the daunting task of comparing plans from well-known national and local companies for you. Even better, my services are completely free! Contact me today to explore your Medicare options, and be sure to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Dorothy Lam
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
Answer: Many of my clients tell me they enjoy seeing an agent in person. They feel communication is easier face to face. I have the flexibility to provide resources in paper form or electronically while a client is sitting in my office. There is something about having an in-person encounter that builds trust and assurance that is not quite the same as a virtual encounter. Meeting in person adds a lot to the business transaction.
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: I use the chart that appears in the Medicare and You Handbook, which outlines in an easy-to-understand way, the option people have when going on Medicare. This chart gives me the chance to emphasize that I can provide insurance solutions for all these options. I consider myself a "one-stop-shop" for Medicare plans. I can also explain the other government program that operate alongside Medicare and encourage clients to enroll in these programs. There are a lot of moving pieces to enrolling in Medicare and the chart helps to put all the pieces together. This chart can be found on page 10 of the 2025 Medicare and You Handbook, which is mailed to all Medicare members annually.
Is paying for a high-end Medicare Supplement plan really worth it, or is it overkill?
Answer: The answer depends on your specific situation. In general, Medicare pays for approximately 80% of your medical expenses, not including deductibles. The high-end Medicare Supplement plans pick up nearly all of the remaining 20% (in the case of the Plan G, you pay one small deductible.) Depending on the procedures or extent of care, this could still be a large financial liability. So, each person must decide if the premium for these plans is worth the potential risk of incurring even this portion of any medical bills. For many of my clients, paying this premium gives them the peace of mind that those bills will be covered, if and when they need them, even if they don't need a lot of care at this time. To balance out this premium cost, Medicare Supplement plans give you the freedom to go to any Medicare provider in the whole nation. If you reside in a different state for several months out of the year, Medicare Supplement plans suite well. The flexibility and peace of mind of Medicare Supplement plans may be worth the premium cost.
Why do some people regret choosing a Medicare Advantage plan over Original Medicare?
Answer: There could be several reasons, one of which is a change in the doctor and hospital network. If a member's doctor or hospital is suddenly not in their advantage plan network, then their care can be disrupted. Another reason may be that the member gets ill and incurs more copay costs than they are used to and wishes they had more coverage. A Medicare Supplement covers more medical costs as compared to an advantage, though for an additional premium. These are risks that an Advantage plan member needs to take into consideration, going into an advantage plan with their eyes wide open, knowing that no one has a crystal ball to predict the future.
I've heard about Medicare fraud. What steps can I take to protect myself from scams related to Medicare?
Answer: First, know that no one from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), which administers the Medicare program, will ever call on the phone to a Medicare member. All communication is done by mail. Second, if someone claiming to be calling from Medicare does call you, note the phone number and report that to CMS at 800-273-0360.
Also, check over the Explanation of Benefits forms that come to you explaining the medical and prescription claims that have been sent to your plan. Make sure you recognize these charges as your, that is, you remember going to the doctor or filling the listed prescription, as it is listed. If you did not receive those reservices, call the plan to report possible fraud.
There are many unscrupulous advertisers out there who hope you will call a number to get "free information" but intend to direct you to an agent to enroll you in a plan. Look carefully on all printed advertisements for the required statement disclosing a call will give them permissions to connect you with a sales agent. None of these advertisements are from CMS or another government agency, which does offer free information. The advertisements are all intended to sell you a Medicare plan, either an Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement plan.