Greg Giordano, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: I enjoy helping Seniors through the entire Medicare process, either assisting with Part B through Social Security or with researching Medicare Coverage options that best suit their needs. My goal is to make sure Seniors are not overpaying for their Medicare Coverage while getting the best coverage possible.

Answer: Yes, if you are retiring next year and plan on leaving your employer coverage, you will need to take steps to enroll in Medicare Part B through Social Security. Medicare Part A, which provides inpatient hospital Coverage, is automatic, while Part B is voluntary and offers outpatient coverage.

Answer: Medicare offers coverage for smoking cessation counseling and some medications to help beneficiaries quit smoking. Specifically, Part B covers up to eight counseling sessions within 12 months for two quit attempts, and some Part D plans may cover prescription medications like bupropion and varenicline.

Answer: The biggest mistakes seniors make when enrolling in Medicare often involve missing deadlines, misunderstanding plan options, and failing to understand the costs associated with different plans. Specifically, failing to enroll on time, not understanding the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and neglecting to enroll in Part D (prescription drug coverage) are common pitfalls

Answer: While a high-deductible plan might offer lower monthly premiums, it also means you'd be responsible for more out-of-pocket costs up to the deductible limit.

Answer: There are a few options to consider:

Contact your plan: Call your Medicare Advantage plan's customer service to understand your out-of-network coverage.

Explore in-network alternatives: Your plan will have a directory of hospitals and other providers within its network. See if there's another facility in-network that offers the services you need.

Emergency care exception: Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover emergency services at any hospital

Consider a plan change: If you consistently need out-of-network care and are dissatisfied with your current plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31)

Answer: For expensive diabetes medications, consider both Medicare Advantage (MA) plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) and standalone Part D plans carefully. MA-PD plans bundle drug coverage with other benefits like vision, dental, and hearing, while standalone Part D plans focus solely on prescription drugs. Evaluate your specific medication needs, plan costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), and the availability of your preferred doctors and pharmacies within each plan's network.

Answer: It is generally permissible to work with a Medicare agent licensed in another state, but they must also be licensed in your state to sell plans there. Make sure you work with an Independent Insurance Agent. Independent agents work with multiple insurance companies, not just one. This allows them to shop for the best coverage and prices across different carriers, giving you more options than a captive agent who only represents a single company.

Answer: Medicare costs involve a combination of premiums, deductibles, and copays/coinsurance. Premiums are monthly payments for your insurance, while deductibles are the amount you pay for healthcare services before your insurance starts covering costs. Copays are fixed amounts you pay for specific services, and coinsurance is a percentage of costs you pay after the deductible

Answer: Yes, losing your employer-sponsored health coverage triggers a guaranteed issue period for Medigap plans. This means you can enroll in a Medigap plan without medical underwriting (being denied coverage due to pre-existing health conditions) as long as you apply within 63 days of losing your coverage.

Answer: Before you ever change your plan, make sure the agent checks to see if all your providers accept the new plan. This is a very common mistake that beneficiaries make in switching plans.

Answer: If you are receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits and are turning 65 in June, here's how your benefits will be affected:

Your disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age. The monthly amount you receive will not change when your benefits convert from disability to retirement benefits.

You are not required to take any action when this conversion happens; the Social Security Administration (SSA) will handle the change automatically. Your Medicare coverage will continue without interruption if you are receiving SSDI when you reach full retirement age.

Answer: It sounds like your friend has a Medicare Advantage Plan which may have a $0 monthly plan premium. When you are on Medicare you will have 2 types of coverage to choose from either a Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement. Medicare Supplements do have monthly premiums.