Edward Carpenter, Medicare Insurance Broker
Edward Carpenter
Final Expense,PLLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in FL
16+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
-
Location
Lake Placid, FL
Edward Can Help With:
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplement
- Prescription Drug
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plans
- Hearing Plans
- Individual / Family Plans
- Group Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Final Expense Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Short Term Care Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Annuities
About Me
Hello! I'm Edward, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Contact me to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Edward Carpenter
I live in California but might move to another state next year. How will my Medicare coverage change if I relocate?
Answer: Your coverage changes depend entirely on the specific plan type you currently hold. Especially if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must change this Plan, even if the same “named” Plan is available where you are moving. Some things like copayments, coinsurance, and ancillary benefits are sure to change. Why? Why isn’t there consistency nationwide, like with Medicare Supplements. It drives me crazy, as I study every year for a period of time, just to adjust to the new change of benefits in various counties nationwide.
So with all these 2025 Medicare changes, should I be switching plans or staying put?
Answer: As with so many questions, the answer is- it depends. There is currently an Open Enrollment period from January 1-March 31, 2026 where you may change your Medicare Advantage Plan 1 time if you wish. Because of all the changes, many plans from previous years are "grandfathered in", for you to keep your current Plan if you find it better, than the plans with 2026 changes. My Specialist co-pay went up $30, so I changed mine for 2026. Some plans have Part B givebacks, where they give back some of the Part B premium they take out of your Social Security check, that may not have been available in previous years. (this can end up being over $2,000+ per year back in your pocket!) Many of my clients are in plans with lower co-pays, so when they asked if they should change, I told them to stay put. It's always a math vs benefits calculation across all the companies available in your area, and pays to revisit these comparisons every year. A skilled Agent can do this for you in minimal time.
Does Medicare Part D cover Repatha?
Answer: So, it depends on several factors. It depends on which insurance company you wish to use and the formulary (drug list) attached to the Plan you are interested in. In all cases the company available depends on the zip code you live in. Then there are different levels of drug coverage if your "Part D" is an add-on to a Medicare Supplement. If you need a Medicare Advantage Plan HMO, PPO, SNL, etc. for example, in my zip code, all Humana plans cover both the Sure Click and the Syringe at a Tier 3 level. That level has it's own peculiarities, which in some cases a Deductible applies, before the co-pay is required. Once the deductible has been met, all you pay is your co-pay. The co-pay may be different from plan to plan.
Can Medicare drop me for health reasons?
Answer: No, Medicare cannot drop you for health reasons. If you currently have a Medicare Supplement however, (not Medicare Advantage) and you develop medical issues, and then wish to change to another Medicare Supplement, you will likely need to qualify medically.
Why do some agents push Medicare Advantage plans over Medigap-should I be skeptical?
Answer: Most of the time, it’s a math problem. With Medigap, you pay a monthly premium. But, you must also qualify medically for a Medigap Plan. You also continue paying your Part B premium. You don’t get dental and vision, so you pay extra for an outside plan. And you don’t get prescription coverage with Medigap, which you must have or be penalized. Prescription coverage has gone way up in price. What people like is, with Medigap, you can go to any doctor that takes Medicare- no networks. And if you get a good plan (higher premium) you’ll only pay your deductible and Part B premium, and all other medical expenses will be covered at 100%. And you may have some overseas coverage. The bottom line is you will pay between $300-$500 per month to be fully covered with a Medigap Plan, Dental, Vision, and Prescriptions- whether you use it all or not, or you you can have a Medicare Advantage Plan, which covers all of that for usually no premium, (some even give back the Part B Premium!) and pay copays as you go along, with usually a $3,000-$6,000 maximum out of pocket you would ever pay in one year in the worst case scenario! (hmm… that’s $250/$500 per month worst case scenario) And many Medicare Advantage plans give free gym membership, out of hospital meals, and some other benefits. Or, you use very little benefits per year and have very little cost out of your pocket. The Medigap Plan forces you to pay that monthly cost whether you use it or not. See, mainly a math problem.
I signed up for part A. I'm still on my husband's insurance so I didn't sign up for part B. is there a form I need to fill out stating I'm still on my husbands insurance?
Answer: No. However, you will need to keep proof of your coverage through your husband- indefinitely. When the time comes and you are no longer covered through your husband, Medicare will be quick to try and charge you a penalty for seemingly not having prescription coverage. This goes for changes in Medicare plans after you start receiving coverage. You may have to prove you had coverage through your husband for the time in question, all over again.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: My answer will be unusual. I hold 11 licenses with 36 years of experience. So, I have a very rounded view of people, their finances and how it all fits together.
Still, even a new Agent will be trained to see a rounded picture of each customer’s unique situation. And these days, with numerous commercials promising amazing benefits to all who are watching, phone and email scams, etc. if you’re not an expert in Medicare, you need to work with one.