Evan Howard, Medicare Insurance Agent
Evan Howard
Swift Retirement
Medicare Agent Licensed in IN, FL and MI
16+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Bloomington, IN
Evan Can Help With:
About Me
Evan Howard is a Medicare insurance agent and founder of Swift Retirement in Bloomington, Indiana. With more than 15 years of experience specializing in Medicare, Evan helps people turning 65 and current Medicare beneficiaries understand their coverage options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Based in Bloomington, Evan serves clients throughout Indiana and provides personalized Medicare plan reviews and year-round service before, during, and after enrollment. His goal is to make Medicare easier to understand and help each client choose coverage that fits their individual needs.
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Q&A with Evan Howard
Have you seen rising interest income from CDs or savings push Medicare clients over IRMAA thresholds and increase their premiums? Are there other ways higher interest rates can unexpectedly affect retirees’ Medicare costs?
Answer: I haven’t personally noticed this happening more often than usual, but I do occasionally run into someone whose income was considerably higher in the years leading up to retirement, and they’re surprised to find out they’re being charged higher Medicare premiums because of it.
IRMAA is generally based on your income from two years earlier, so what you earned before retiring can affect what you’re paying today. The exception is that retirement is considered a life-changing event, and you may be able to get those premiums reduced by submitting Form SSA-44 to Social Security along with documentation of your retirement and lower income.
Higher interest earned from CDs and savings accounts can also push someone over an IRMAA threshold, even if they aren’t working anymore. Other things can too, like capital gains, IRA withdrawals, and Roth conversions. These are things retirees need to pay attention to because an increase in income can end up costing them more than just the additional taxes.
My Medicare Advantage plan with UHC has been closed and will not be available next year. Can I switch to enrolling in a Medicare Supplemental plan for 2027 without having to pre-qualify
Answer: It’s called a plan exit, and yes, you can get a guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement without having to qualify medically. Generally, when your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued in your area, you have the right to enroll in certain Medicare Supplement plans without answering health questions. You’ll need to return to Original Medicare, and there are specific deadlines to take advantage of this opportunity.
Who fills out Form CMS-L564, and where do I send it once it's completed?
Answer: You fill out the top section (Section A) of Form CMS-L564 with your personal information. Your employer then completes the bottom section (Section B), verifies your employment and group health coverage, and signs the form before returning it to you.
Once completed, you submit the form to Social Security, generally along with Form CMS-40B, to enroll in Medicare Part B.
You can submit the paperwork in person, by fax, or by mail. I prefer submitting it in person when time is important because it gives you an opportunity to explain the urgency directly to a Social Security representative and make sure your paperwork has been received. While this doesn’t guarantee faster processing, it may help you identify any issues immediately.
Faxing is another good option because it’s faster than mailing and provides a transmission confirmation showing that you sent the paperwork. Mailing is usually the slowest option, but it can still get the job done. Just allow plenty of time for delivery and processing.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: You should work with a Medicare agent because making the wrong decisions about your Medicare coverage can have serious consequences. But more importantly, you shouldn’t settle for just any Medicare agent. You should work with a good one.
There aren’t always enough safeguards in place to protect someone from enrolling in a plan that doesn’t fit their needs. A wrong decision could result in unexpected expenses, enrollment penalties, or losing access to preferred doctors and pharmacies.
A good Medicare agent understands that their responsibility goes far beyond enrolling someone in a plan and collecting a paycheck. They take that responsibility seriously, build lasting relationships with their clients, and remain available to help resolve questions and problems long after enrollment is complete.
The value of a good Medicare agent isn’t just in helping you choose the right plan. It’s in knowing you have someone looking out for you long after you’ve made that choice.