Janelle Brown, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: You can visit the plan-specific website or contact a broker, and we can help you locate an in-network dentist for your particular plan.

Answer: Think of Medicare as a massive "club" for people 65 and older. Because it is the biggest club in the country, it has a lot of power to tell doctors and hospitals how to behave and what to charge.

On paper, the rules are perfectly fair. Everyone in the club gets the same "membership package," which means they are supposed to get the same doctors and the same medicine.

Answer: If you’re unable to provide creditable coverage, which means your previous health or drug plan wasn’t considered equal to or better than Medicare’s standard coverage, you may face a late enrollment penalty when you eventually sign up for Medicare Part B or Part D. This penalty is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare, and the longer you go without creditable coverage, the higher the penalty becomes.

To avoid this, always keep proof of any prior insurance and enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period or within 63 days of losing creditable coverage.

Answer: IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) does not go away automatically when your income drops. Here’s the breakdown:

How IRMAA Works

IRMAA is based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior.

Example: 2025 Medicare premiums are usually based on your 2023 tax return.

If your income was high in that year, Social Security applies the IRMAA surcharge on top of your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

If Your Income Drops

Social Security won’t automatically lower or remove IRMAA just because your income has gone down recently.

They only recalculate it automatically when IRS sends them your newer tax return data (usually the next year).

That means you could be paying IRMAA for up to a year (sometimes two) unless you take action.

What You Need to Do

If your income dropped due to a life-changing event (like retirement, job loss, divorce, reduced hours, etc.), you can file a request for reconsideration:

Use Form (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount - Life-Changing Event).

Provide proof of your income change (e.g., tax return, pay stubs, retirement documentation).

If your income drop wasn’t from one of those events, you generally need to wait until IRS sends Social Security your new tax return.

Answer: In 2026, the Medicare Extra Help program shows be to give more savings, not less. Eligibility and benefits are being expanded rather than cut back.

Answer: Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests, and medical equipment. It is good to have but not enough on its own since it doesn’t cover everything including prescriptions, dental, vision. Many people add extra coverage or a supplement plan or Medicare advantage plan to add more.

Answer: No, Medicare usually doesn’t cover the same as an employer plan, it varies for things like dental, vision, and medical coverage.

Answer: Many Medicare advantage plans have $0 premium per month. Most people still pay the Part B premium and have copays, deductibles, and max limits.

Answer: Life insurance provides financial security by protecting loved ones from income loss, covering debts, and supporting long-term goals like education or retirement in the event of a death.

Answer: Those that are under 65 can qualify for Medicare if they have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if they have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

In these circumstances eligibility begins earlier than the standard age 65 requirement.

Answer: I break Medicare down into plain language by explaining the four parts (A, B, C, D), what each covers, and how they work together with different costs.

Then I show clients how their doctors, prescriptions, and budget determine which plan works best for them.

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent can help by navigating the different types of Medicare plans and find a plan that fits your needs.

A Medicare agent saves you time, money, and stres by helping prevent mistakes that people often don’t discover until it’s too late.

In a Confusing System Medicare has dozens of plan options (Part A, B, C, D, Medigap). Rules change yearly. As an agent I keep track of updates.