Ingrid Kollmann, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: That all depends. Your existing policy may be viable in the other county. Call the Customer Service number on the back of your insurance ID card and ask the representative.

Answer: If having to work with in-network doctors and hospitals is an issue fir you then a Medicare Advantage Plan may not to your liking.

Answer: Work with a certified CPA, a certified Medicare agents, and a government customer service organization,.

Answer: Show the client the advantages and disadvantages as well as costs. Not one size fits all. It all depends on the client's needs and financial situation.

Answer: The Late Enrollment Penalty! Limit it to just a few months, not a lifetime!! Also, maje it a small amount instead of a percentage.

Answer: Trickle is like the Cadillac of coverage for the military. It also requires you to have been a service member for many years whereas most short term service vets can only receive VA coverage.

Answer: That is hard to predict. It did change from 2024 to 2025 ($2,00), and then again for 2026 ($2 100).

Answer: It's best to talk to the Dept. of Health and Human Services first. Depending on your Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), qualifications, there might be a "Share of Cost". They would be best to inform you who pays first, Medicare or Medicaid plus the effect of any "Share of Cost" payments.

Answer: Best talk to your local Social Security Administration office first. Depending on what they advice you, you may also wish to talk to the person who does your taxes.

Answer: Reach out to your Medicare agent first. Secondly, you can inquire with your preferred hospital what they would recommend you do. Have they signed a contract with another Medicare Advantage insurance company? If so which one? My best recommendation though is to talk to your agent.

Answer: The most common misperceptions people have is that it pays for everything, including prescription drugs, copayments, and deductibles.

Answer: Whereas Part A is hospitalization, Part B is for medical services, like doctors, physical therapy, specialist services.

Answer: When I turned 65, almost 10 years ago, I had the hardest time trying to figure this whole Medicare process out.

I went to a Medicare agent who has been one for many years. She helped me figure things out and afterwards recommended that I become a Medicare agent, as I live in a rural area where many people needed assistance.

That was ten years ago, and it is most satisfying not only to me but to the many seniors in our foothills that I have helped. Ask them... ask your neighbors, friends, or other senior family members.

Answer: As long as your current employer coverage is considered "credible" coverage with prescription drug coverage, there's no need to sign up for Part B, which cost $185/month in 2025.

Answer: There are two types of presentations. One is an educational one and the other is a marketing/sales one. A good agent uses these to foremost educate people on 1) the basics of Medicare (i.e., the educational one) and 2) to go into greater details of the plans (Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement), hence they're are the marketing/sales ones.

Answer: Firstly, the donut hole is going away and prescription drug costs will be held to $2,000 after which you don't pay anything more. Furthermore, the Medicare government came out with a prescription drug payment plan whereby one can spread the drug costs out over several months. Hope this helps.

Answer: First of all, there's an annual cap on prescription drugs of $2,000 after which your prescriptions are fully covered. Secondly, you can pay your copayments over a period of time so you don't have to come out of pocket for the full amount.

Answer: No, you did not make a mistake! Medicare Supplement Plans are perfect for people who travel a lot throughout the US. What you could do is have your local agent shop other carriers' plans. Medicare Supplement Plans are nearly identical but compete on a premium level.

Answer: I always recommend working with a local agent. One you can look in the eye, shake their hand... it tells a lot about that person. Local agents know the plans available in your local area.

Answer: It is not just talk, it'strue.... Not only is there a cap, you can now also spread out any high copays!

Answer: You must be in the US for at least 5 years.... you might need to apply for the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid until you have reached the 5-year residence requirement.

Answer: Go to ssa.gov or to a local office to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. Then meet with a trusted Medicare agent to look at additional coverage that best meets your needs and pocket book.

Answer: A lot of seniors either aren't technology savvy, or are wary of technology and prefer the old fashioned way of personal contact. It's also my preferred way as it also gives me the opportunity to see how they live and what they may need.

Answer: Once you reach the out-of-pocket maximum (e.g., $2,000 in 2025), you'll enter the catastrophic coverage phase, you won't have to pay anything out-of-pocket for your covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.

Answer: What is creditable coverage and why should I be aware of it. What happens if I am unable to provide it?

Answer: Go to ssa.gov and look for an appeal form. Complete it, including any doctor's notes, and mail/fax/email.

Answer: It's because you don't live in California which has a birthday rule. A few other states may have a similar rule, depending on the available plans.

Answer: It was actually a Medi-Cal related matter.... Huge share of cost..... client ended up dropping out of Medi-Cal and opted for a Medicare Supplement Plan G with a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

Answer: For diagnostic mammograms, Part B typically covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the deductible.

Answer: 60 Medicare lifetime reserve days provide additional coverage beyond the initial 90-day benefit period in a hospital stay.

Answer: No. Your Medicare coverage will continue uninterrupted, but your entitlement will shift from disability to age.

Answer: No, Medicare cannot drop you for health reasons. Medicare is a federal program, and once you qualify for it, it's yours for life.

Answer: 9 states; California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

Answer: The benefit of a PPO is the flexibility to see providers outside the network without needing a referral, but it can be more expensive.