Jennifer McDonnell, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Started in the industry only to find out your boss wanted you to make him lot's of money. In my first year realized my hopes and desires to help others would only happen if I had my own agency. For 20 years I have been helping clients year after year with a better understanding for them of how to benefit from their Medicare insurance as well as other things like dental, home health care, long term care, life insurance, and how their 401K or IRA could benefit their retirement years.

Answer: The purpose of Life Insurance is to either pay off an obligation at death (like a mortgage) or to help those loved ones who helped you prior to your death. I would say having some life insurance is beneficial to most everyone. Think of someone you would like to help financially upon your death. Remember life insurance is tax deductible to the beneficiary.

Having Medicare does not change the need for Life Insurance

Answer: If you have a Medigap plan, you might have a Part B deductible ($257 for 2025) and most likely your plan is called Plan G, N, or F so as long as you see doctors/hospitals who accept new Medicare patients, you should not incur much in the way of medical expenses, however in the case of many diabetes patients, the largest cost sometimes is the cost of Medications. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, most diabetic meds are rather inexpensive. Work with your doctor and a good preferred pharmacy to help keep your drug costs to a minimum.

Answer: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helped reduce the cost of some more expensive medications however as a side effect many drug plans raised the cost of generics.

Also, make sure you are using the correct pharmacy to keep drug costs down (usually savings is found using a 'preferred' pharmacy. Your trusted insurance advisor should be able to help you find a pharmacy that best fits your plan.

Answer: Most medical treatments that are considered 'experimental' are not covered by Medicare.

Check with your insurance prior to see if this will be covered. If not, the expense will most likely be 100% your responsibility. If you are a veteran, check with the VA to see if it is covered.

Answer: Many seniors do not get proper advice from a trusted advisor and end up on insurance that is not a good fit for their need. Also, most seniors are not experts at understanding medicare yeare after year, thus again, the beneift of having a trusted advisor. Most seniors do not know aobut the 'Trial Right' when it comes to Medicare Advantage and thus use up their once in a lifetime benefit when they first become Medicare Eligible. Talk with a trusted Advisor to learn all the 'fine details' of making a proper Medicare decision.

Answer: When changing a supplement plan you do have to complete the application which includes answering all the health questions. In order to be 'approved' your health must be reasonably positive with few minor issues. Anything that is a 'considerable health risk' would likely cause a person to be 'declined'. When you first go on Medicare during your initial sign on period, you were able to qualify for a Medigap plan with NO underwriting, no health questions, but later on you must answer the health questions.

Answer: Medicare is funded by a portion of the wages/salary you earn during your working years.

If younger Americans were to be included, it would dilute the money that is available for each and every Medicare eligible person.

Perhaps an ideal situation is to rid the country of the Affordable Care Act and replace with a system for non-Medicare eligible very similar to the Medicare System but not pulling money from the Medicare system.

Answer: Best way to learn about Medicare is from a trusted Medicare advisor, someone who is working to educate you about all the brands and products isn the market. Too many seniors communicate with a particular insurance company which in turn gives that person a lop-sided view of what's available to them. An independent trusted Medicare Advisor can educate you on all your options.

Answer: Most Medicare Advantage plans do include an annual wellness visit. Check with the Summary of Benefits of your plan to see if it covers the annual wellness or annual physical benefit and at what cost if any.

Answer: Assuming she has a Medicare Supplement that allows her to go to any doctor who accepts new Medicare clients, the change to a Medicare Advantage plan might limit her doctor choices.

Best if she works with an independent trusted Medicare advisor prior to signing up to find out which Medicare Advantage plans might be accepted by her current doctors.

Answer: Medicare offers a 'new to Medicare' physical and after that usually some form of annual 'Wellness Exam'. It's important when scheduling a 'wellness exam' to make sure the doctor knows you want a 'wellness exam', not a 'physical'. Most Medicare Advantage plans will cover some form of wellness exam annually.

Answer: Many seniors pick a Medicare Advantage plan because of the low premium and the extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, gym, over the counter, and overlook the high 'out of pocket maximum' or the high copays. They overlook the fact that the plan is an HMO or a PPO and that they should stay with doctors who are in those networks.

Most Medicare Advantage copays are relatively low if you stay out of the hospital.

A trusted independent Medicare advisor can give you a more thorough understanding of your plan and other options you may have. Usually Medicare Advantage works well for most people.

Answer: Most Medigap plans will move with you, no need to change, however there are some that will not move. If you do relocate your insurance company may change the premium of your plan to the zipcode of your new residence. Rates vary by state and region. If because of your relocation your insurance company terminates your plan, then you will have a 'guaranteed issue' special election period to sign up for a new plan.

Answer: Original Medicare alone is risky. With Original Medicare and a supplement you have excellent coverage and very limited financial risk for your Medical services. When someone tells me they only want Medicare A and B and nothing else, I remind them that Medicare Part B covers only 80% and that most cancer treatment is handled by Medicare Part B and highly recommend they have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. Many who have limited income choose the Medicare Advantage as it limits their financial risk to what is called the 'Maxium out of pocket'.

Answer: Find an independent trusted Medicare advisor/broker who has many years experience.

Most agents have limited experience and are 'hungry' to make sales. Most experienced brokers are still in business because they take care of their clients year after year who then refer others.

63% of health insurance agents are out of the business in their first 2 years. Works with a independent broker, not an agent.

Answer: I wish all my prospects had 20 years experience. Too many are 'twisted' by agents and friends into believing somethign is better than something else when the person giving the advise either does not have the expertise to make the recommendation, or in the case of an agent, has a self centered motive to make a sale.

Answer: Medicare Part B covers 'Durable Medical Goods' so likely those devices that help a person maintain better health might be covered in the future by Medicare and/or by Medigap or Medicare Advantage.

Because technology is rapidly changing, I would think there will be some reservations about covering the latest technology until it has proven it's value.

Answer: IRMAA is an adjustment to the cost of Medicare benefits. Those who have higher income pay a little more for Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D.

Many seniors do not realize selling a piece of property may increase there 'income' thus reflect a increase to them for paying for Medicare Part B or Part D.

Many seniors take some of their income and give to their children as financial support when they should consider gifting it as a non-taxable donation instead.

Anything that is considered 'income' may cause their Medicare premium to the government to increase because of IRMAA

Answer: DOCTORS CAN DECIDE NOT to accept a Medicare Advantage plan that they previously accepted. Work with a independent trusted Medicare advisor/broker when doing your reviews.

Because of this issue, CMS created the Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1 - Mar 31) where you can once again make a change to your Medicare Advantage plan.

If you made your initial change during the Open Enrollment Period then you will need to wait until end of the year during the AEP (Annual Election Period) to make a change for the following year.

Answer: An Independent Trusted Medicare Advisor/Broker is well versed at all your options and can help you do a thorough review of your needs. Your trusted advisor is there for YOU year round, year after year. Most experienced advisor/brokers stay in the business a long time. 63% of agents are out of the business within the first 2 years.

Answer: Notify Medicare of your new address. They usually will be notifed by the state once you apply for a new drivers license.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, contact your trusted advisor/broker to see if they can help you with any changes that might be required.

Answer: Medicare does cover 'skilled nursing care' but Medicare does not cover 'assisted living'.

Medicare will cover some 'home healthcare' immediatly following an extended hospital stay.

Best to consider either a 'short term home healthcare' or ' long term care' insurance policy if a person might need assistance in future years. Important to buy insurance before the need.