John Dalziel, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Medicare’s star ratings can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans, but they’re only one part of choosing the right coverage.

Plans receive a rating from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. The ratings reflect performance in areas such as preventive care, managing chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and prescription-drug services.

A higher rating is a positive sign, but it doesn’t guarantee your personal experience. The stars rate the insurance plan’s overall performance—not your individual doctor or hospital—and reflect past results.

When reviewing your options, I look at:

Whether your doctors and preferred hospitals are in the network.

Whether your prescriptions are covered and what they will cost.

Your copays, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket exposure.

The plan’s star rating and overall quality.

For example, a 4-star plan that covers your doctors and medications may be a better fit than a 5-star plan that leaves an important provider out of the network.

Answer: It depends. If you're outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or don't have a guaranteed issue right, you'll usually have to answer health questions and could be denied coverage. IEP does not require health questions to be approved.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans cover emergency care anywhere in the United States, even if the hospital or provider is out of the plan's network. After the emergency is over, follow-up care may need to be provided by in-network providers, depending on your plan. Medicare Supplements don't require patients to see in network providers.

Answer: If you only want basic hospital coverage, Original Medicare is usually the lowest-cost option. Keep in mind that it doesn't cover everything, so you'll still be responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Answer: Medicare may cover a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) if your doctor says you need one and you meet Medicare's rules. If you qualify, Medicare may also help pay for the device and its supplies.

Answer: That's a great question. Original Medicare does not have a set limit on the number of chiropractic visits it covers each year. Medicare only covers medically necessary spinal manipulation to correct a spinal subluxation, and additional services such as X-rays, massage therapy, or maintenance care are generally not covered.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans generally cannot deny enrollment or coverage because of pre-existing conditions. As long as you're eligible for Medicare and enroll during a valid enrollment period, the plan must accept you, with only a few limited exceptions such as End-Stage Renal Disease rules that have largely been eliminated in recent years.

Answer: SilverSneakers is not included with Original Medicare by itself. It is offered through certain Medicare Advantage plans and some Medicare Supplement plans, so availability depends on the insurance company and the plan you choose.

Answer: Every person's Medicare needs are different, so there isn't one plan that's best for everyone. Compare plans by looking at doctors, prescriptions, expected medical costs, and extra benefits to find the option that provides the best overall value for each individual.

Answer: Because the Agent does it every day and knows how to do it.

Answer: What kind of question is this, you know these only go to brokers, right?...........................................................................................................................................................................................