Jennifer Paxton, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: No, Medicare and your United Healthcare supplement will not cover monovision lenses with no out-of -pocket costs. Medicare and United Healthcare will cover the standard cataract surgery with monofocal lenses, after the part B deductible has been met. The monovision lenses are an elective upgrade called a "refractive package" that does have an additional cost.

Answer: A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a statement showing all services billed to Original Medicare. You receive it to track claims, understand your costs, and protect against fraud. It is not a bill. You can also access your notices by logging into your Medicare.gov account.

Take the following steps when you receive your notice:

1. Wait for a bill: Hold onto the MSN and compare it with the actual bill you receive from your doctor or hospital. Only pay the provider after receiving their invoice.

2. Review for accuracy: Verify that you received the services, tests, or supplies listed, and check that you recognize the doctor or facility.

3. Report errors or fraud: If you spot services you never received or suspect a billing error, call your provider's billing department immediately. If you suspect fraud, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

4. Appeal denied claims: If Medicare denied a service and you think it should be covered, you can appeal. Instructions are on the back of the MSN.

Answer: No. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you cannot use your Original Medicare card for routine services. Your private Medicare Advantage plan takes the place of your Part A and Part B coverage, and providers must bill your Advantage plan directly.

Using your Original Medicare card when a provider does not accept your specific Advantage plan will result in claims being denied, leaving you responsible for the costs.

Answer: The primary payer depends on company size:

• 20 or more employees: Your employer plan pays first, and Medicare pays second.

• Fewer than 20 employees: Medicare pays first, and your employer plan pays second

Answer: Medicare is funded through U.S. Treasury trust funds, general tax revenues, and beneficiary premiums. Workers fund Part A via payroll taxes, while Parts B and D are financed by general tax revenues and monthly enrollee premiums.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Primarily funded by payroll taxes on earned income. These taxes go into the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Financed by general federal tax revenues (which cover about 75%) and monthly premiums paid by enrollees. In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, though high-income earners pay more.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Funded by the government pulling money from the Part A and Part B trust funds to pay private insurance companies a set monthly fee. Enrollees may also pay an additional premium to the private plan.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Funded by congressional general revenues, premiums paid by enrolled members, and state payments for dual-eligible individuals.

Answer: Medicare covers mammograms, colonoscopies and prostrate tests at certain intervals, fully paying for them as preventative services if you meet eligibility requirements and your doctor accepts assignment.

*Mammograms: Once every 12 months for women age 40 and older (plus one baseline exam for women ages 35–39).

*Colonoscopies: Every 10 years for average-risk individuals, or every 24 months for those at high risk.

*Prostate Tests: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams are covered once every 12 months for men over age 50.

Answer: Yes, it is possible to get paid to take care of your elderly partent through several programs, depending on their health needs, financial situation and location.

Here are the primary ways to get paid as a family caregiver:

* Medicaid Waivers: Parent must qualify for Medicaid based on low income and assets.

*Veterans Affairs (VA): Parent must be a veteran or surviving spouse who requires help with daily life.

*Private Pay Caregiver Contract: Parent must have personal savings and sign a formal legal contract.

*Long-Term Care Insurance: Parent must have long-term care insurance. Some policies cover compensation for family caregivers.

Answer: Yes, comprehensive help is available in Spanish for both choosing and using your Medicare Plan. Under CMS (Medicare) regulations, plans are required to provide free language assistance services. This includes translated materials and interpreter services at no extra charge. Carriers and brokers may also have bilingual representatives available to assist.

Answer: Medicare is individual health insurance so husbands and wives each pay their own premiums.

Although there is not a family plan option and you can't share a policy, your marital status can still impact your overall costs.

1. Qualifying for Premium-Free Part A - Most people don't pay a premium for Part A (hospital insurance). If you do not have enough work history (40 credits or 10 years) to qualify for premium-free Part A on your own, you can qualify based on your spouse's history.

2. Potential Spousal Discounts - While Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not offer discounts, some private insurance companies offer a household discount for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies.

3. High-Income Surcharges - If you file your taxes jointly, the government looks at your combined marital income from 2 years prior to determine your monthly Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drugs) premiums. If your combined modified adjusted gross income exceeds the established threshold, both you and your spouse pay an extra surcharge called the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).

Answer: No, you do not have to renew your Medicare Supplement plan every year. Medicare Supplement plans are desinged to automatically renew each year as long as you continue to pay your premiums on time. You do not need to reapply or renew your policy annually.

I do, however, suggest reviewing your coverage each year to ensure it still meets your healthcare needs and budget. Your premium and plan costs can change over time, and depending on your situation, you may have other coverage options worth considering.

Also, you can change your Medicare Supplement plan anytime during the year, you don't have to wait until your anniversary date. Some states have Birthday or Anniversary Rules allowing you to change without answering health questions.

Answer: Working with a Medicare agent saves you time, stress, and confusion. Medicare can feel overwhelming with all the plan types, costs, and fine print — and what’s right for your neighbor may not be right for you. As your agent, I act as your guide by:

Explaining your options clearly – I break down the differences between Medicare Advantage and Supplements in plain language.

Personalizing recommendations – Together, we look at your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and lifestyle to match you with the plan that truly fits your needs.

Checking your providers and prescriptions – I make sure your doctors are in-network and your medications are covered, so you avoid costly surprises.

Giving year-round support – My role doesn’t stop at enrollment. I’m here to answer questions, help resolve issues, and review your coverage annually to keep it working for you.

Unbiased advice - I work with numerous carriers to find the best plan for you.

More Services - I can also help with Dental, Vision, Hearing, Cancer, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Long Term Care.

No extra cost to you – My services are free.

With a Medicare agent, you don’t have to figure it out alone — you gain a trusted partner who makes sure you’re confident in your coverage.