Jennifer Melancon, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Original Medicare does not have a network you need to stay in, you have the entire United States.

When on advantage plans, no matter which plan it is, they all have a "network" to stay in. Advantage plans are usually given to you based on the zip code you live in, and your network would be localized to that general area. Some advantage plans will offer "out of network" care which means you would have higher out of pocket costs. All MA plans will cover what they consider an "emergency" if you are outside of your network area.

Answer: The amount of mail is definitely overwhelming when coming into Medicare. I always will suggest meeting with an agent in person and going over all of Medicare together and getting specifics about your own personal situation. If you get along with that agent then sign up through them, letting them do all the work for you.

Answer: Unfortunately some do not take advantage of meeting with an agent before turning 65 and getting their free education they are entitled to. When people want to go through the process on their own then they are taking the risk of not having all the information. I know it's overwhelming when you are getting so many calls and mail but that is the time to take advantage of getting as much info on Medicare as you can.

Answer: You must go through your provider, they need to provide a referral along with a diagnosis of diabetes and then you can receive counseling from registered dietitian. Medical Nutrition Therapy program is covered by Medicare and does not go toward you deductible or co insurance, however if you are enrolled in an advantage plan you must stay in your network to avoid costs.

Answer: Yes, Medicare might cost you a different amount than someone else you know. Part A is free as long as you have worked at least 10 years, and then part b is going to be income based.

Answer: Original Medicare with a supplement is going to be the best coverage anyone is able to get. However, there might be times where an advantage plan could be a good option for someone.

I will never recommend a specific plan to anyone without meeting them and going over their particular situation first. It's important everyone coming into Medicare gets the full information on both sides before getting locked into something they can't get out of later on in life.

Answer: Advantage plan insurance companies are able to state they have a $0 monthly premium for two reasons. One that company is receiving roughly $1,000 per month from the government for each member enrolled. Second the high out of pocket costs that are the members responsibility, copays/deductibles, contributes to the insurance companies revenue stream. Also do not forget that even if you take an advantage plan because you are trying to keep your cost down, that does NOT get you out of paying for your part B premium.

Answer: I recommend meeting with an agent so they can run your list of prescriptions through all the Medicare drug plans available and show you the breakdown of the cost on each one. Also a good agent will have numbers on hand for outside companies that help with certain costly medications.

Answer: When you decide to opt out of original Medicare and go onto an advantage plan then you must understand that the plans are always changing and you will need to review your plan yearly. Providers are not locked in for the year, they are allowed to stop taking plans on a monthly basis. Therefore if your provider decides to stop taking a particular advantage plan then Yes, you could need to switch to another provider mid year.

Answer: When getting your annual wellness visit on Medicare there should be no out of pocket cost for you. If you are on any of the advantage plans then you MUST stay inside of your network, seeing a doctor that takes your particular plan.

Answer: If you are on Medicare with a supplement then the bill gets sent to Medicare and part B will pay 80% and then the supplement will pay the remainder.

If you have opted out of Medicare and chose to go the advantage plan route then each plan is different and they change yearly so we would need to review what plans are in your area.

Answer: Cost is usually the main concern for those entering into Medicare. As your agent I can save you time and money, provide expert guidance in explaining how they system works, and offer personalized service to help you find the best plan for your specific needs. I handle both supplemental plans as well as advantage plans from different carriers and therefore am able to give you a full comparison. I provide support before, during, and after enrollment. If you sign up through me I will be your agent for life.