Ira Smith, Medicare Insurance Agent
Ira Smith
Medicare Prepare
Medicare Agent Licensed in OK
30+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Jenks, OK
Ira Can Help With:
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplement
- Prescription Drug
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plans
- Hearing Plans
- Individual / Family Plans
- Group Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Final Expense Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Short Term Care Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Annuities
About Me
Having been licensed agent since 1985, you will be happy with my extensive knowledge, not only of Medicare (active since 1995), but also regarding analysis of your insurance needs. Having degree & teaching certification in mathematics, you can rely on me to answer all your questions effectively. Those who know me feel comfortable with me, not only as an advisor, but also as a trusting friend. I was born here in Tulsa in 1949; attended Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh as a physics major with psychology minor; Lamar University in Beaumont TX as a mathematics major with minors in English & Education; then worked as a seismic analyst & geophysicist and taught through Calculus in schools & tutored learning disabled students and volunteered for Junior Achievement to help students select a career path & learn how to interview. With insurance, I've helped people review their options to select the right plan for them, which is what I will do for you!
Q&A with Ira Smith
Answer: You have AEP and OEP and SEP permissible under Medicare rules. A new diagnosis has nothing to do with those choices.
Answer: Each state has its own regulations and variety of Medicare Advantage & supplement offerings. No one can properly evaluate them all, as we representatives only offer plans within our own licensed area. Within Oklahoma, I feel that Community Care of Oklahoma has better plans for those looking for Medicare Advantage Plans, since they seem to have the most inclusive network of doctors, clinics, and hospitals. For Dual Eligible individuals, United Healthcare offers better options. For Critical Care, Global offers better options. Any specifics you need, please contact me Ira Smith
Answer: You should have received you letter from Social Security by now, providing you with your options. In general you get Part A, which covers yiu hospital benefits free. Part B is your medical benefits, which is now around $200/month. If you have a full time job with medical benefits, you can delay taking Part B until you are ready to cease having them at which time you'll need to pay for your Part B. At that time you'll need to review your Medicare Advantage options. Please contact me to discuss. Thanks so much, Ira
Answer: Only disadvantage is if you live outside a major area, where you don'don't have access to decent medical network. Otherwise, Medicare Advantage Pkans provide great value!
Answer: Primary strategy is determining what doctors are in their network so as to best service their needs, making things most convenient for them. Medical is for those who are not within any reasonable network & need to spend more money regardless.
Answer: Most Medicare Advantage Plans cover you worldwide when traveling. You simply either show your Medicare Advantage Card for them to contact your local provider; you'll need to only cover required deductibles for Urgent Care & ER. If they don't accept your local insurance, simply pay in full for services & your provider should reimburse you for everything except your deductibles.
Answer: Helping provide honest forthright responses to help guide Medicare qualified individuals, by providing easy to understand options.
Answer: Private Insurers, such as CommunityCare of Oklahoma already covers preventative care for you. This includes annual physical exam, lab tests and more at zero copay!
Answer: Simply do not fall for request to call a toll free number with agents standing by. Never give them personal information. Always deal with a reliable preferably local source.
Answer: PPO plans used to be needed, but now most HMO Advantage Plans allow you to go out of network when you're on vacation & need emergency care or urgent care. In town, yes, you need to be in network, which in most cases is very extensive.
Answer: Most Medicare Advantage Plans cover all blood tests and lab tests for you without any charge to you. You should contact your Medicare Advantage Plan for specifics.
Answer: Most Medicare Advantage Plans cover Part D with deductibles & maximum out of pocket expenses or MOOP.
Answer: If you're already collecting Social Security, in all likelihood, you have Social Security Disability. In general after 24 months on Disability, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan even prior to turning 65.
Answer: Please read your Advantage Plan manual, which should explain a specific amount allowed for hearing aids.
Answer: You'll no longer have a "donut hole" as part of your plan. It will simply be required copays with a maximum out of pocket, which will disappear after you reach that MOOP.
Answer: Yes, they are. With CCOK Medicare Advantage Plans, this includes visits to Laureate, which is part of St. Francis.
Answer: This is no longer the case with most Medicare Advantage Plans. Most, such as CCOK of Oklahoma, allow you to schedule your own appointment with specialists in network. Thanks so much, Ira
Answer: You should receive letter from Medicare regarding your Part A and Part B. Part A is relatively automatic with no cost to you. Part B is currently a little over $200/month & includes medical procedures and doctor's appointments. This is required to participate in Medicare options, such as Medicare Advantage Plans, which usually provide a lot more for you than Medicare alone.
Answer: It is important to work with someone who specializes in Medicare, so you can get the truth about your options and be assured you have the right guidance to select which options you should take. Thanks so much, Ira
Answer: Thank you for your question! Prior to 2025, there was a prescription drug coverage gap, where you'd pay more for your coverage while in this gap. This gap has now been eliminated! You are now paying just your copay on each specific RX, which is great news for you! Please contact me with any further questions. Thanks so much, Ira.