Jasmine McGehee, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: ​When an agent recommends a Medicare Advantage plan over a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, they should always be able to give you a clear, personalized reason why.

​For instance, if I believe a Medicare Advantage plan is the right fit for your situation, I will tell you exactly why based on our conversation. I might say something like:

​"Based on what you shared, a Medicare Advantage plan fits your needs best because you mentioned wanting to keep your fixed monthly expenses low, as these plans often have low or $0 premiums. You also noted that built-in dental, vision, and hearing coverage is a priority, which are benefits that standard Medicare Supplements do not include. Finally, you preferred the simplicity of using a single card for your care rather than managing separate medical, drug, and ancillary plans."

​If an agent only offers vague justifications like "this is a very popular plan" or "most people choose this option," they are not tailoring their advice to you. If that happens, it might be time to reevaluate who you are working with.

Answer: ​You can always verify a plan's benefits directly on Medicare.gov or by contacting the insurance carrier. Another excellent option is to partner with a trusted agent. If you see a television commercial or receive mail about a plan, you can always ask your agent to review the advertising, confirm if the benefits are legitimate, and determine if you qualify.

Answer: ​Choosing the right path depends entirely on your specific situation, but working with an independent agent like myself can help you easily narrow down your best options. No matter which route you choose, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage, you must enroll in and maintain both Medicare Part A and Part B. A great place to start your decision making process is by asking yourself a fundamental question: Would you prefer a higher, predictable monthly premium so you pay less out of pocket when you receive medical services, or would you rather pay a lower monthly premium and pay for services only as you need them? While this cost comparison is the perfect starting point, please keep in mind that there are several other important factors we will need to consider together to find your perfect fit.

Answer: ​Generally speaking, Medicare will never call you unprompted. They will only call if you explicitly requested a callback or if you recently reported fraud. If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, simply hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to verify. Scammers can easily fake caller ID numbers, so even if the incoming call appears to be official, ignore it and manually dial the number yourself.

Answer: No. As long as your Medicare Supplement carrier is still available, you have Medicare Part A and Part B, and continue to pay your premiums you should not need to renew.

Answer: They are real, but most require you to have a qualifying condition depending on the benefit. Some plans may offer OTC (over the counter) benefits to everyone regardless of diagnosis, but in order to get something like a healthy groceries benefits you may need a qualifying condition such as Diabetes or Autoimmune Disease.

Answer: Evaluating your Medicare coverage annually is essential, but your strategy should depend on the type of plan you have. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans require longterm planning because they lack a standard annual enrollment period, meaning you are not guaranteed approval to switch carriers later even for the exact same plan. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans change their benefits, networks, and costs every year, making an annual review crucial to ensure your plan remains the best fit for your specific needs. Ultimately, healthcare is highly personal, a plan that works perfectly for your spouse or neighbor may not be the right choice for you.

Answer: Typically yes, but it does depend on state and carrier. I always advise calling before you have made the move. The medigap options available to you without health questions may be limited.

Answer: Qualifying for a Medicare Advantage plan is straightforward. As long as you have both Part A and Part B, live in the plan's service area, and are in a valid enrollment window, like turning 65 or moving to a new area, you are eligible to join.

Answer: There's not a way to avoid IRMAA, but there are somethings you can do to try and mitigate it. Since IRMAA is based on a 2 year look back period you could try and plan in advance to not make more than the threshold or if your income has significantly changed in two years you can attempt to appeal it.

Answer: If you are receiving Social Security benefits then typically yes. If you are not you will receive a bill in the mail each month.

Answer: Yes and no. It depends on your work history and income.

​For Part A (Hospital Insurance), most people don't pay a monthly premium if they (or their spouse) worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you don't meet that milestone, you can still get Part A, but you'll have to pay a monthly premium based on how many quarters you did work and there could be other factors.

​As for Part B (Medical Insurance), everyone pays a monthly premium. While most people pay the standard base rate, your actual premium could be higher or lower depending on your income level and certain other qualifying factors.

It's always best to contact Medicare or Social Security directly for your actual cost.

Answer: The biggest advantage of working with an insurance broker is that they aren't tied to just one company. Because they partner with multiple carriers, they can shop around to find the plan that actually fits your needs and budget, rather than just pushing whatever one specific company has to offer. It saves you time and ensures you get the best option available. They can also usually help with resources you might not know are available to you.