Doug Carlson, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: It is important to update your address with Social Security and Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan(Plan C), you will need to select a new plan within sixty days of relocating. If you have a stand alone Drug Plan (Part D) you will also need to select a new plan. If you have Medicare supplemental plan with original Medicare, it might be worth shopping a new plan but it is not required.

Answer: I recommend keeping your Medicare Summary Notices for at least five years even thought most brokers lean towards only two years.

Answer: Medicare does not cover genetic testing for the most part unless a Physician orders it as medical necessary.

Answer: I recommend to all my clients to add on a temporary Travel Medical Insurance plan when they travel outside United States.

Answer: If one loses their spouse and the spouse was the one carrying the insurance, the insured then qualifies for a special enrollment period. They have a period of 8 months to activate their Part B and they will not be subject to a later enrollment penalty. I would recommend the insured bring a signed CMS - L564E form to social security office.

Answer: Original Medicare will not cover a smartwatch. But some of the Medicare Advantages plans may include some level of benefit (discount or reimbursement) for some brands of smartwatches.

Answer: A person under 65 years old who qualifies for Medicare if they receive social security disability income for two years or has end-stage renal disease.

Answer: Special Needs Plans are a type of Medicare Advantage plan offered under Medicare that are designed for people with specific health or financial situations. They work like other Medicare Advantage plans but are customized to serve certain groups of beneficiaries with coordinated care and specialized benefits.

Answer: Yes your Medicare deductible changes from year to year. It is not a large change but will adjust to keep up with inflation every January 1.

Answer: It is not uncommon for their to be confusion with how Ambulance transportation is handled with Medicare. If you have Original Medicare is would fall under Part B and the 20% co-insurance and the balance sent to the Supplemental plan if one has that coverage. If one has a MAPD (plan C) it also needs to be "Medical Necessary" and the insured must be sent to the closets facility that can handle the care. Must times there is a co-pay as well.

Answer: No you do not need to change coverage, but it would be advantageous to look at the new options available in the new State. You do need to update your stand-alone Drug plan.

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent can be especially helpful given how many plan choices and rules change each year (particularly during the Annual Enrollment Period).

Answer: Medicare does not fully cover nursing home care, especially not long-term stays for custodial support. It offers very limited help in specific situations, and there are other programs or strategies you might need to rely on instead.