Jesus Escamilla, Medicare Insurance Broker
Jesus Escamilla
Texas Life Advisors
Medicare Broker Licensed in CA, FL and TX
11+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Austin, TX
Jesus Can Help With:
About Me
As a trusted independent broker, I partner with clients to help them make informed decisions about protecting their future. Rather than simply selling insurance, I provide personalized guidance on important protection strategies.
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Jesus Escamilla
Which cancer screenings are free under Medicare?
Answer: I’m glad you asked. Medicare does cover many cancer screenings at no cost to you.
When we say “free,” it usually means you pay nothing as long as the doctor accepts Medicare. Medicare says most preventive screenings are covered this way.
Some common cancer screenings Medicare may cover at no cost are:
Breast cancer screening
Medicare covers a screening mammogram once every 12 months for women age 40 and older.
Cervical and vaginal cancer screening
Medicare covers Pap tests, HPV tests, pelvic exams, and breast exams. Most people can get these once every 24 months. Some higher-risk people can get them once every 12 months.
Colon cancer screening
Medicare covers several colon cancer tests. This may include a colonoscopy, stool test, blood-based test, CT colonography, or at-home stool DNA test if you qualify. Many of these are no cost if the doctor accepts Medicare.
Lung cancer screening
Medicare may cover a yearly lung cancer scan if you are age 50 to 77, have a smoking history, and meet the Medicare rules.
Prostate cancer screening
Medicare covers the PSA blood test once every 12 months for men over 50. The PSA blood test is no cost, but the doctor’s prostate exam may have a cost.
One thing to know: if the test turns into something more than a screening, there may be a cost. For example, if a doctor finds and removes a polyp during a colonoscopy, Medicare may charge part of the cost.
The best thing to do is ask the doctor’s office before the test!
My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?
Answer: I’m so sorry for your loss. I know this is already a hard time, and seeing your Medicare cost go up can feel very unfair.
The reason this may have happened is because Medicare looks at income in a certain way. When your husband was living, Medicare may have counted you as a married couple. After he passed, they may now count you as one person. The income limit for one person is lower than it is for a married couple, so Medicare may think you should pay more.
This extra charge is called IRMAA. It can raise your Part B premium and sometimes your Part D drug plan premium.
The good news is this may be fixable.
Social Security has a form called SSA-44. This form is used when a big life change happens, like the death of a spouse. You can ask Social Security to look at your income again and lower the extra charge if your income has gone down.
Here is what I would suggest:
Call Social Security and say:
“My spouse passed away, and my income has changed. I need help filing an SSA-44 form to lower my Medicare IRMAA charge.”
You may need to show them a copy of the death certificate and proof of your new income.
Also, we should check what kind of premium went up. It could be your Medicare Part B, Part D, Medigap plan, or another plan. Once we know which one went up, we can see the best way to fix it.
I know this is frustrating, but you may not be stuck with the higher cost. There is a process to ask Social Security to review it.
My pharmacist mentioned the Medicare "donut hole" is going away in 2025. What does that actually mean for me?
Answer: Hey there!
Think of it like this: Imagine if your lunch card at school helped pay for lunch, but then randomly stopped working for two weeks in the middle of the year, and you had to pay full price. Then it started working again.
You don't suddenly have to pay a bunch more money in the middle anymore
They (finally...) fixed the problem with Medicare! Was a problem to seniors for years.
The Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and another one that slowly closed the gap until it completely went away in 2025.
This change helps. Call your local Medicare broker should you have more questions.
Can I use a health savings account (HSA) to pay Medicare premiums after I retire?
Answer: Yes, you can use a health savings account to pay Medicare premiums after you retire. Using your health savings account to pay for Medicare Part B, Part C, and Part D premiums is allowed and tax-advantaged after you retire. Just remember to stop new contributions once you enroll in Medicare and keep documents for any reimbursements.
My Medicare Advantage plan advertised dental coverage, but it barely covers anything. Is this normal?
Answer: Unfortunately that is common and normal with some Medicare advantage plans. In order to get additional dental coverage you could purchase a separate supplemental dental plan. Most supplemental plans are fairly inexpensive and could provide the extra benefits you're seeking. Talk to a insurance broker, like me, to help you find the best coverage for the best price.
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: What brings me the most joy as a Medicare agent is building meaningful relationships with my clients that often blossom into genuine friendships. By being consistently available and supportive, I create bonds based on trust and care.
I've found that approaching every client as if they were family helps me form deeper connections and truly understand their unique needs. Since each person's situation is different, I tailor my approach accordingly and maintain thorough follow-up. This personalized attention and dedication is why clients choose me as their Medicare agent