Galina Koval, Medicare Insurance Broker
Galina Koval
Living Benefits LLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in FL
Contact Details
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Location
Stuart, FL
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Phone
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Website
About Me
Hello, I'm Galina, your neighborhood Medicare insurance advisor. My expertise lies in the realm of Medicare, and my mission is to assist you in identifying the perfect plan tailored to your unique requirements and financial capacity. Allow me to navigate the array of plans available from both nationally and locally esteemed companies on your behalf. And don't worry, my services are provided free of charge! Contact me to discover your Medicare insurance alternatives and don't forget to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Galina Koval
If I'm on a Medicare Advantage plan, does it cover hospice care or does Original Medicare pay for that?
Answer: Hospice care is usually covered by part A of the Original Medicare regardless whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan or not.
My Part D plan won't cover the drug my doctor prescribed until I try a cheaper one first. Is that allowed, and what can I do about it?
Answer: What you are describing is a Step Therapy which all part D companies utilize with some drugs. In some situations you may be able to get and exception to have a more expensive prescription covered. For example, if you have already tried cheaper drugs and they either didn't work or you have developed allergic reactions to them, then you should contact your part D plan's provider and start an appeal. Your doctor will also need to be involved in the appeal process.
I live near New Orleans and see doctors at Ochsner Health. How do I know which Medicare Advantage plans they accept?
Answer: You can check the doctors' participation in Medicare Advantage plans by going to www.Medicare.gov Plan Finder. Alternatively, you can contact the Ochsner Health directly and they should be able to tell you what companies and plan types they accept.
I have Medicare Parts A and B and drug coverage through my wife’s employer plan. Could I face a Part D late-enrollment penalty later?
Answer: If the prescription drug coverage through the employer plan is creditable, then there will be no late-enrollment penalty at a later time. Your wife's HR must send a latter to her annually to specify if the drug coverage is considered creditable or not. The year when the coverage stops being creditable, you will be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period of 63 to enroll in Part D plan without a penalty.
What does Medicare cover?
Answer: Part A covers hospital stay and hospice, and Part B covers doctors visits, lab and outpatient services.
A man has Medicare Parts A and B through SSDI and turns 65 on September 28, 2026. When does his new Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period begin and end?
Answer: The Open Enrollment Period begins the month of September and ends on the last day of February 2027 (a total of 6 months).
What does it mean if a Medicare agent is 'independent,' and why does that matter for me?
Answer: An independent Medicare-licensed agent represents multiple insurance companies which, in my opinion, allows the agent to objectively review your options and make recommendations based on you situation instead of being limited by products of only one insurance company.
Are there any guidelines I should follow when filling out my Medicare application?
Answer: It depends on your situation. If you are newly eligible for Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and continues for three months after—a total of seven months.
If you are over 65 and losing employer group health coverage, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This SEP lasts eight months, starting the month after your group coverage ends.
If you share a bit more about your circumstances—your age, current coverage, and when it’s ending—I can give you more specific guidance about your Medicare enrollment options.
I picked a Medicare Advantage plan based on the low premium, but now I'm facing high copays. Did I make a mistake?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plans do have copays for services that are counted towards the annual maximum out of pocket limits. However, if your plan is a PPO and you see out-of-network providers, your max out of pocket is generally higher as well as copays. Many Advantage plans are attractive because of low or no monthly premiums and inclusion of additional services like dental and vision that are not covered by the Original Medicare. Whether you made a right or wrong decision depends on your health care needs.