Joanna Finnegan, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: When you sign up for Medicare Advantage, Medicare no longer pays your medical claims. The Advantage plan becomes your primary coverage and is responsible for all Medicare claims. You still pay your Medicare part B premium. Medicare pays the Medicare Advantage plan a set amount per month to cover you. If the Medicare Advantage plan is charging you $0, they are still getting paid to cover you from Medicare. The higher the Advantage plans star rating, the more they are paid by Medicare through bonuses and other funding.

Answer: When you have Medicare A and B and no other coverage, you will be responsible for high deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance with no maximum out-of-pocket limit. This means that there is no cap on what you could pay out-of-pocket for the year in medical copays and coinsurance. You can either choose a Medigap (Supplement) plan or Medicare Advantage plan to help fill the gaps in Medicare. You also want to make sure you have Part D to cover prescriptions. There is a penalty if you don't sign up for Part D when you are first eligible. If you have more questions, call me. I can go over your options with you and help you enroll in the plan that is best suited for you. ~Joanna Finnegan

Answer: Medicare covers home healthcare if its part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and some times home health aid services, but only when you also need skilled care. You must be homebound because of your illness or injury, and your doctor must set up the home healthcare program for you.

Answer: It depends on the type of Medicare plan that you have. If you have a Medicare advantage plan or prescription drug plan, you can change that plan between October 15 and December 7. This is the annual enrollment period. Between January 1 and March 31 you can change your Medicare advantage plan one more time, but you must already be enrolled in a Medicare advantage plan to make that change. If you have a Medicare supplement plan, you can change that plan anytime however, with few exceptions, you will have to answer medical questions and could be denied if you do not pass underwriting.

Answer: No, you do not need to sign up for Medicare again. You will however, be in a new enrollment period because you are turning 65. During this time you can sign up for a Medicare supplement plan without having to answer medical questions. You can also look at your Medicare advantage plan options. I would be happy to go over both Medicare advantage and Medicare supplement plan options with you.

Answer: An administrative assistant could fill out the scope of appointment, but both the licensed agent and the client need to sign it. It is a short form and the licensed agent should be able to complete it without assistance from an administrator.

Answer: You will automatically be enrolled in Medicare if you are collecting Social Security when you turn 65. You have a wide variety of plans to choose from. Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you as you navigate through your options.

Answer: Original Medicare does not cover Dental, Vision, Hearing, and some other things that your employer plan might be covering. You can however get these benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan or Supplemental plan.

Answer: I recommend having either a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan to help cover the deductible and out-of-pocket costs with Part A.

Answer: It's always good to know all your options prior to enrolling. Everyone has different needs and concerns. You could look at other Medicare Advantage plans in the areas to see if there is one available with lower copays, or you could look at Medicare Supplement options with higher premiums but much less out-of-pocket as you use your plan.

Answer: As long as your current doctors are in the Medicare Advantage plan network, you can still see those doctors. If your current doctors are not apart of the Medicare Advantage plan network, you will need to find new doctors. Always check with the Medicare Advantage plan to see if your doctors are covered prior to enrolling.

Answer: The new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit in 2025 will help those individuals who have high drug costs. The deductible and copays count towards the $2,000 limit. Once that limit is reached, the member will pay $0 for drugs until the end of the year. If you think you will reach the $2,000 limit before the end of the year, you can ask the Drug plan to set up a payment plan that allows you to spread your payments out over the remainder of the year.

Answer: Yes, but with few exceptions, you will need to answer medical questions and you will be underwritten. You could be denied if you answer yes to certain medical questions.

Answer: You trust that the agent is providing you with non-biased options. Your agent should be a Broker who offers plans with multiple companies rather than limited to one. Agents and Brokers have to re-certify each year with the companies they represent. They can help keep you informed of annual changes to your benefits and make sure you are in the plan that is most suitable for you. It is helpful to have a knowledgeable person that you know and trust and can call with your Medicare questions.

Answer: You can visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-Medicare to verify the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan offered in your area. You can also call SHIBA, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Answer: Medicare Part D covers the shingles vaccine. You need to have a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D to have this coverage.

Answer: Yes, I have clients who use the Medicare Advantage over-the-counter drug card. How you use your card depends on the company. Some companies allow you to use the ID card at the store cash register. Some companies have you order through their own online store or catalog. It just depends on the company that you have your Medicare Advantage plan with.

Answer: If you travel, you should consider a Medicare Supplement also known as Medigap. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will be out of network and the plan can disenroll you after 6 months. Some Medicare Advantage plans have extended networks, but there are limitations and you could run into issues trying to use your plan out of state for more than 6 months.

Answer: If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare when you become eligible. If you are receiving Social Security disability prior to age 65, you will be enrolled in Medicare after 24 months with few exceptions.

Answer: Yes, if you lose your current plan for not qualifying, or they could not verify your Chronic condition, you can use an SEP to enroll in another plan.

Answer: Occupational Therapy is a Medicare covered benefit. All Medicare Advantage plans are required by Medicare to cover at minimum what Medicare covers. The answer is Yes, but you may need to find an in-network provider with UnitedHealth for them to cover you.

Answer: It's important to understand all your plan options before making an informed decision. Not fully understanding your options could lead to unexpected penalties or unpredictable out of pocket expenses. To help with this, I offer free Medicare educational classes regularly throughout the year, providing prospective members the chance to meet me, ask questions, and gain clarity without feeling pressured or guided in any particular direction.

Answer: I have been helping people with Medicare since 2008. I have gained a lot of experience with various client situations along the way. My clients often tell me how much of a relief it is to have made a decision that they understand and feel good about. I always educate my clients first before showing their options. I find great joy in helping others while building good relationships with my clientele. What I like most about being a Medicare agent is knowing that I get the opportunity to help individuals understand and enroll in a plan that is most suitable for them.

Answer: CMS is very strict on how Agents and Agencies can market and sell. Agents are not allowed to cold call, door knock, or use unsolicited texting. Agents must have permission to contact before calling a prospect. Agents must document with a Scope of Appointment what products are to be discussed prior to meeting with a prospective client. All sales calls are to be recorded. Agents must use CMS approved disclaimers and receive prior approval from the companies when marketing specific plan benefits.