Dutch VanHoesen, Medicare Insurance Broker
Dutch VanHoesen
REEF Retirement
Medicare Broker Licensed in FL
21+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
St. Petersburg, FL
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Phone
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About Me
See ALL your Medicare plans/options in 1 meeting. I am paid a standard fee by the carriers so I can remain impartial to your decision. Local Pinellas broker. Annual reviews, remote or in person enrollment. US Navy Vet, Navy Dad, National Social Security Advisor Certified.
Q&A with Dutch VanHoesen
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: There is an overwhelming amount of disinformation or misinformation regarding Medicare. Make sure you deal with a broker who has most if not all of the plans available in your area.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: I would say the most common misconceptions about Medicare are the costs involved and when to enroll. There are fines and penalties for late enrollment. Costs may decrease significantly if you qualify for a low income subsidy or Medicaid. Costs increase for high earners.
Does Medicare cover eye exams, or are seniors left paying too much?
Answer: Medicare covers vision only when medically necessary such as cataracts. Routine vision, hearing and dental is not covered by Medicare. However many Medicare Advantage plans do include some coverage for vision. There are also ancillary vision discount or savings plans available.
What demographic challenges will Medicare face in the coming years?
Answer: Medicare will have an historic 80 million beneficiaries by 2030. With fewer paying into the system Medicare will have to make some changes along with Social Security in the coming years.
What should I do if I miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period, and I want to change my plan?
Answer: You may utilize a Special Election Period which includes:
Moving to a new plan area.
Enrollment in a 5 star plan.
Losing health insurance.
Weather related disasters.
Annual enrollment. Is October 15th through December 7th. If you miss that enrollment period and you are a current Medicare Advantage member, You have 1 more opportunity to change plans January 1st through March 31st.
So from April 1st through December 31st you are locked into your plan unless you meet a special election period requirement.
Do Medicare Advantage plans really save seniors money in the long run? Why or why not?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plans may be less expensive when you are healthy. Medicare supplements or Medigap may be less expensive if the worst of the worst happens to you. However I can give you examples directly from my clients who have ended up paying more on a Medicare Advantage plan. While you may feel healthy now 85% of our Medical Care comes after age 65.
I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?
Answer: The annual enrollment period is Oct 15-Dec 7th. The open enrollment period for those on existing Medicare Advantage plans is Jan 1-Mar 31st.
What's the financial risk of sticking with Original Medicare without a Medigap plan?
Answer: I have a client who if she had went with her first choice of a Medigap plan her annual cost would be around $2,400. She decided to take a less expensive route and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. She was diagnosed with a health issue requiring a doctor to administer shots in her eye every quarter for the remainder of her life. This cost is reaching her out of pocket maximum of $5,500 which is more than twice the annual cost of her supplement. In this particular case it would have been more cost effective for her to have been on the Medigap plan costing her $2,400 per year.
What are some ways to save on prescription drug costs?
Answer: 1. Extra help: if you are low income, you may qualify for the Medicare extra help program. Contact Social Security.
2. Medicare prescription payment program: this is a new Medicare option to spread your drug payments over the course of a year.
3. Generic medication alternatives to your brand name drugs.
4. Patient Assistance programs: most drug manufacturers offer some sort of assistance to help pay for your drugs.
5. Mail Order: this may save you money and may not it all depends on your medications and your prescription drug plan carrier.
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
Answer: Yes there is an 8-month period between losing your employer coverage to get into a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan. Cobra coverage does not count as it is not creditable coverage according to Medicare.
My mom is considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan because her friends say it's better. She's scared of losing her current doctors. How can we check?
Answer: Her friends may endanger your mother. Medicare Advantage may have authorizations, Dr networks, service areas, referrals, Etc. It's easy for any Medicare broker to check her current doctors and see if they are in network for various Medicare Advantage plans.
How can I get dental and vision coverage with Medicare?
Answer: Medicare does not cover dental vision or hearing unless medically necessary. Medicare Advantage plans have some coverage for dental, vision and hearing. They typically are not comprehensive benefits but offer mostly preventive coverage. Some plans offer more than others.
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
Answer: A local broker can help you on an annual basis. He should be able to keep most of your information on a secure file in order to familiarize himself with your needs. Many people change their plans for coverage through the years. Local Brokers are more knowledgeable than someone not from the area. Many plans offer different benefits or cover niches that are not typically published.
I'm interested in a robotic knee replacement surgery that my surgeon recommends for my specific anatomy. How does Medicare coverage work for this advanced procedure?
Answer: Original Medicare: Medicare premium $185/mo, $257 deductible + (20% of $20,000 to $40,000 + post care costs)
$5-10K no max out of pocket.
Medigap Plan G: $200-225/mo+
Medicare premium $185/mo, $257 deductible is your max out of pocket for the year
Medicare Advantage: Medicare premium $185/mo (may be reduced by up to $174,70/mo) specialist copay $10-$45+ outpatient hospital copay $100-$300 + post op rehab $20-$40/visit maximum out of pocket could be less than $500. Max out of pocket $1000-$6700.
I thought I signed up for both Part A and B when I got my Social Security, but now I'm getting bills for Part B. Did I miss something during the enrollment period?
Answer: Yes. You must have missed the cost of Part B. If you are receiving benefits it is automatically deducted. If not, billed quarterly.