Jajuan Knox, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: It really depends on the person.

Plans like Medicare Supplement Plan G are popular because they cover most of the costs that Medicare doesn’t. After the small yearly Part B deductible, many medical services are covered, which means fewer surprise medical bills. Another benefit is you can see any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide there are no networks or referrals required.

The trade off is the monthly premium is usually higher than other options.

Some people prefer paying a little more each month for peace of mind and predictable healthcare costs. Others prefer a lower monthly premium and are okay paying copays when they receive care.

There isn’t a one size fits all answer it really comes down to health needs, budget, and personal preference.

Answer: What I like most about being a Medicare agent is honestly the people.

A lot of folks come to me feeling confused or even stressed out. There’s so much information out there, and half of it feels contradictory. I enjoy sitting down, breaking it down in plain English, and watching that stress turn into clarity. When someone says, “Okay, that finally makes sense,” that’s a good feeling.

I also like that this isn’t a one and done type of job. These are real relationships. I talk to my clients every year, sometimes multiple times a year. I’m there when they retire, when they move, when a spouse passes, or when their health situation changes. It’s meaningful work.

And to be real, I take pride in helping people avoid costly mistakes penalties, wrong plan choices, missed deadlines. A small decision at 65 can impact someone for the rest of their life. If I can help them get it right the first time, that matters to me.

At the end of the day, it’s about trust. People are trusting me with their healthcare decisions that’s something I don’t take lightly.

Answer: If I had to pick just one, the worst Medicare related decision someone can make is enrolling without understanding how the pieces work together.

Too many people choose a plan based only on the premium or because a friend recommended it without looking at doctors, prescriptions, out of pocket exposure, or long term flexibility.

The most expensive mistake I see is not enrolling in the right coverage when first eligible especially skipping Part B, Part D, or not securing a Medigap plan when you have guaranteed issue rights. That can lead to:

Lifetime late enrollment penalties

Higher out-of-pocket costs

Underwriting issues later

Limited plan flexibility down the road

Medicare decisions aren’t just about this year they can impact you for the rest of your life.

That’s why I always tell clients: the goal isn’t just to pick a plan it’s to build a strategy.

Answer: If you’re paying more for Medicare Part B and Part D than your friends, it’s usually because of something called IRMAA which stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

IRMAA is an additional premium added to your Medicare Part B and Part D if your income is above certain limits. Medicare looks at your tax return from two years ago to determine this. So for example, your 2026 premiums are based on your 2024 income.

It’s based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes things like:

Wages

Social Security (taxable portion)

Pension income

Capital gains

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Investment income

If your income crosses certain thresholds, you move into a higher bracket and pay more.

The good news is, IRMAA isn’t permanent. If your income drops due to retirement, loss of income, death of a spouse, or other qualifying life events, we can file an appeal to potentially lower your premium.

This is why income planning and Medicare planning really go hand in hand small income decisions can impact your premiums significantly.

Answer: In the coming years, Medicare will face pressure mainly because more people are turning 65 every day, while the working population paying into the system isn’t growing at the same rate. That puts financial strain on the program.

People are also living longer and managing more chronic conditions, which increases healthcare costs. At the same time, medical technology and prescription drugs are getting more advanced and more expensive.

Medicare isn’t going away, but we may see adjustments in costs, benefits, and plan structures over time. That’s why it’s important to have a solid coverage strategy that can adapt as things evolve.

Answer: That’s a very common and important question.

When a spouse passes away, you don’t receive both benefits. Through the Social Security Administration, you would receive the higher of the two benefits, not both.

So if your husband’s Social Security benefit is higher than yours, you would step up to his amount. If yours is higher, you would continue with your own. The lower benefit stops.

There are also some timing and age factors that can affect the exact amount, so it’s always a good idea to review your situation in advance so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

Answer: income spikes from investments can definitely trigger IRMAA if we’re not planning ahead.

Since Medicare premiums are based on income from two years prior, what I typically recommend is proactive tax planning. If the high-income year was a one-time event, we can file an appeal with the Social Security Administration to request a reduction.

We also look at strategies like spreading out distributions, managing capital gains, and timing Roth conversions carefully so you stay below the IRMAA thresholds whenever possible.

It really comes down to planning ahead so a temporary income spike doesn’t increase your Medicare premiums unnecessarily.

Answer: Declaring bankruptcy does not cancel your Medicare coverage, so you’ll still have your benefits through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. However, bankruptcy may affect your ability to afford premiums, copays, and prescription costs, so it’s a good idea to look into programs like Extra Help for Part D or other state assistance programs to lower your out of pocket expenses.

You may also want to review your plan during the next enrollment period to make sure it’s still the most affordable option for your situation.

Answer: When I work with someone who’s new to Medicare, I start by breaking it down into simple, easy to understand pieces and explaining Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and any supplemental options without using confusing jargon. I focus on their personal needs: what doctors they see, what prescriptions they take, and their budget, so they can see how each plan would actually work for them.

I also make sure they know the timelines and rules, like enrollment periods and how changes work, and I’m always available to answer questions as they come up, so they feel confident making the right choice.

Answer: If you’re already on Medicare because of disability, you don’t have to sign up again when you turn 65 your coverage will just continue automatically. Turning 65 is a good time to review your options, though, in case you want to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan or add a Medigap policy, but there’s no requirement to re-enroll.

Answer: One piece of advice I wish every senior knew is to look beyond the monthly premium and really consider your total costs — like copays, deductibles, and prescription coverage. The cheapest plan upfront can end up costing a lot more if it doesn’t cover your doctors, medications, or needed services, so it’s worth taking the time to compare all the details before making a choice.

Answer: If I could change one thing about Medicare, it would be to make it simpler and more transparent for everyone. Right now, there are so many plans, rules, and coverage details that it can be really confusing, even for people who do their homework. Making it easier to compare plans, understand costs, and see what’s covered would help people make better choices and avoid unexpected bills, which could make Medicare much less stressful for everyone.

Answer: If you see a billing error or think there’s suspicious activity on your Medicare account, you can report it safely without risking yourself. You should contact Medicare directly through their hotline at 1‑800‑MEDICARE (1‑800‑633‑4227) or reach out to your plan’s fraud department.

Answer: The Extra Help program is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Part D prescription drug costs. It can lower or even cover your monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments, making your medications much more affordable.

You can apply through the Social Security Administration, and if you qualify, the help is automatic every year — so it’s worth checking to see if you’re eligible, especially if you’re on a fixed income.

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent near you lets you meet face-to-face, go over your options in person, and get help with paperwork or questions right away. Local agents also usually know the doctors and plans in your area, which can make choosing the right coverage easier.

A remote or virtual agent can be just as helpful and convenient since you can talk by phone or video whenever it works for you, but meeting someone in person can feel more personal and give extra peace of mind. Either way, an agent — local or virtual — can guide you through your choices and make sure your plan works with the rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans can save you money, but it really depends on how you use them and what your health needs are. Many people like them because they often have lower monthly costs than Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, and they may include extra benefits like vision, dental, or hearing that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

However, you can still pay a lot out‑of‑pocket for care if you go out of network, need frequent specialist visits, or have expensive prescriptions — so it’s important to compare total costs (not just the premium) and make sure the plan fits your doctors and meds. Some people save money overall, while others end up spending more depending on their situation.

Answer: Yes! Medicare Part B can cover a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) if your doctor prescribes it and you meet certain requirements, like having diabetes and needing insulin or having issues with low blood sugar. Medicare will cover the CGM and the supplies as durable medical equipment, though you’ll still be responsible for 20% of the approved cost after your Part B deductible.

Just keep in mind that Medicare won’t pay for your smartphone — even if the CGM connects to an app. The device itself needs to meet Medicare’s requirements, and your doctor has to prescribe it and make sure you know how to use it. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead, coverage is usually similar, but it’s a good idea to double-check with your plan to be sure.

Answer: Since you moved to Florida, your New York Medigap plan may not cover you the same way it did before, because Medigap plans are state-specific. You’ll want to look into enrolling in a Florida Medigap plan or check if your current plan offers coverage out-of-state, so you don’t run into gaps in your Original Medicare benefits.

Answer: A big one people often overlook is, “Will this plan actually cover the doctors, specialists, and medications I use most?” It’s easy to focus on premiums, but out-of-pocket costs can add up fast if your doctors aren’t in-network or your prescriptions aren’t covered.

Answer: The Inflation Reduction Act did lower insulin costs, but there are a few reasons you might still see a higher price. The law only caps your cost at $35 a month for insulin that your Part D plan actually covers, so if your plan changed its formulary, pharmacy network, or the specific insulin brand you use, your price could go up even though the cap is in place.

Answer: It depends on your situation. If you don’t enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 and you don’t have other qualifying coverage, you could end up paying a late penalty for Part B and Part D later on. However, if you’re still working and have good employer coverage, you can usually delay signing up without a penalty as long as you enroll during your special enrollment period based on guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Answer: With most Medicare Advantage HMO plans, you usually must see doctors and specialists within the network, including a cardiologist, or you may have to pay the full cost. The only common exceptions are true emergencies or urgent situations, so it’s best to check your plan details or ask your agent to see if there are any special rules.

Answer: If you move to a U.S. territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands, your Original Medicare coverage will usually still be available, but Medicare Advantage and Part D plans may not operate in those areas. You may need to choose a new plan based on what is offered locally, and it’s important to update your address and review your options through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to avoid gaps in coverage.

Answer: If your doctor is not currently in your Medicare Advantage plan, you can call your insurance company and ask if they can add that provider to their network. You can also have your doctor’s office contact the plan directly to request participation.

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent makes the process a lot easier because there are so many plans and details that can be overwhelming to figure out on your own. A good agent takes the time to understand your health needs, prescriptions, and budget, and helps you choose a plan that truly fits your situation, while also being there to answer questions and help you in the future if your needs change.