Edward MacConnell, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Too many factors to say. Itd different for each person's situation. Best advice is to work with a professional

Answer: There are many differences from every angke, premium, coverage and so much more. The best advice is to find an independent professional to assist you in the process.

Answer: Ask your broker to review your plans summary of benefits and coverage with you. Hearing aids are often an add on benefit and not baked into the medical coverage directly.

Answer: While a Medicare Advantage plan may save you PREMIUM dollars it all comes down to a couple of facors:

1. how much do you use the coverage? A MA plan will usually have copays and deductibles on most services including a max out of pocket in the thousands whereas a supplement usually does not. If you need to see physicians, specialists and get tests on a regular basis a Medicare advnatga ewill not nexessarily save you money overall because what you save in premium may beexceeded by what you spend on the cost of care services.

2. How much geographic flexibility do you need? An MA plan is typically geographically limited in network scope so you may pay for more expenses out of pocket. MAPD plans may alsohave nedtwork restrictions forcing you again to pay more out of pockey for providers you want to see who are not in network.

Answer: The CMS-L564 is important to show that you had credible employer coverage. This permits you to enroll on Part B at a later date without having to pay a late entrant penalty on your Part B premium

Answer: Medicare does not cover Silver Sneakers. Some Medicare advantage plans include Silver Sneakers or other fitness memberships. It's best to talk to your independent broker to find out which ones include fitness memberships and their accompanying benefits.

Answer: It depends. Are you currently on Medicare advantage, a supplement a drug card? How about an employer plan? The answer is not the same for everyone your circumstances will dictate what your choices are. Speak with an independent professional who can review your full situation and give you a correct and proper answer to this and any other questions you might have.

Answer: The answers are not the same for everyone. You may have to pay for Medicare if it isn't free for you. The answer is usually yes but it may not be free. I would make an appointment with an independent broker who can review your specific circumstances and give you a complete and correct answer.

Answer: It shouldn't matter directly at all but what may matter when you choose a plan. Each client has specific needs to consider. Your finances and health concerns will all figure into what best works for you.

Answer: Any Medicare Advantage plan will provide a list of network doctors and hspitals. Usually this is done online these days as opposed to a printed directory. Your broker should be able to guide you though the process of confirming participation.

Answer: You should never have to pay a licensed, qualified and certified Medicare broker, local or not. A local one will be more familiar with plans and importantly care choices where you lve than one who is not local.

Answer: A great agent or broker will have the experience to get the job done correctly so you are enrolled on the proper plan, on time and on budget. Long time clientswill usually express their satisfaction through reviews providing verifiable third party experiences. An independent broker will shows clients everything that is available good and bad and not use high pressure sales tactics.

Answer: Yes you can be denied a Medicare Advantage plan if you do not have a valid election period or you do not live in the advantage plans geographic area.

Answer: If you have met Medicare eligibility requirements you can simply enroll on Medicare part A and B through your local Social Security office or online at Medicare.gov.

Answer: You can get Medicare through a spouses benefits. But how much it costs depends on your situation, especially your (or a spouse’s) work history.

Answer: Medicare covers sleep studies (either in-lab or approved home sleep tests) when ordered by a Medicare‑enrolled provider to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and durable medical equipment covers a CPAP Machine under Medicare part B when precribed.

Answer: Medicare part B eccess charges are balance billed over and above the Medicare allownce. Goint o providers who accept Medicare as payment in full will avoid these charges. Also a quality Medigap plan can help avoid them.

Answer: Stroke recovery and rehab are covered by Medicare. Medicare Part A covers an inpatient services. A quality Medigap plan will cover 100% of the inpatient deductible

Answer: Divoce can affect your Medicare costs which can be increased based on your household income. Additionally any household discounts may no longer apply to your coverage. Further, moving can create be a special election period to select and enroll on a new plan.

Answer: Because we have the experience to advise properly based on your own personal situation, in the Medicare world, a mistake can cost you significantly in lost money and opportunity and may not be resolved easily or at all. Unlike an agent who gets paid by the insurance company we work for, we are independent brokers who represent the best interests of our clients.

Answer: We are paid by the insurer if we do help you enroll. We do not have any allegiance to any carrier/insurer we represent our clients directly. Most pay us the same amount if at all. We are a non commission driven firm.