Jorge Collado, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: 4-6 months before your birthday month. That way you have your medicare red, blue and white card before you turn 65.

Answer: Not necessarily. You can apply one you retire if you have employer insurance. It will be good to compare your options though. Sometimes Medicare Advantage plans might offer better coverage than employer group plans.

Answer: Yes you can if one is available in your area. CMS increase the drug deductibles this year and plans are applying higher copays as well. Give us a call to find a plan that covers them at the highest level.

Answer: Yes. Unless you have an SEP (Special Enrollment Period) to apply under the guaranteed issue clause. Call me for more info.

Answer: There are several Medicare Advantage plans in your area. We can do a needs analisis on your doctors and prescriptions and find a plan that can cover all of your needs. My website can also help.

Answer: I am a local agent in Central Florida. I work the Brevard county Melbourne area. I am just a phone call away.

Answer: Usually yes. Most medicare advantage plans will cover you for up to 6-9 months outside the service area. If it's an HMO it will only cover emergencies. If it's a PPO you will be able to use the plan out of network.

Answer: Usually if you are entitled to medicare at age 65 you will have to apply for medicare and drop your coveredCA Marketplace Insurance.

Answer: A State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor is a trained volunteer or staff member who provides free, objective help and education about Medicare, while a Medicare broker is a licensed professional who sells insurance plans and gets paid by insurance companies. Usually the service provided is free.

Answer: Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)Part A pays for care when you stay overnight in a facility. Care you get after an official hospital admission.

Skilled nursing facility care: Short-term rehabilitation care.

Hospice care: End-of-life comfort care.

Home health services: Part-time nursing or therapy after a hospital stay.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)Part B pays for doctor visits and services outside of a hospital stay.

Answer: Each plan has different benefits depending on the county/zip code. We will need more information on the new county to see if your current plan is in that service area. If not, you can do a plan change to a similar plan in the new county/service area.

Answer: MEDIGAP is expensive if you are under 65. Usually you can transfer your medigap coverage to the new state but will be subject to the premiums on that new Rating area. Contact your MEDIGAP carrier for more information.

Answer: Medicare covers part-time or intermittent home health care up to 8 hours a day and 28 hours a week (or up to 35 hours a week in specific, short-term situations) for as long as you meet eligibility requirements.

Hours and Frequency is Up to 8 hours per day of combined skilled nursing and home health aide services. Maximum of 28 hours per week, which can extend up to 35 hours per week for a short time if approved by your doctor.

Intermittent rule: Skilled care must be provided fewer than 7 days a week, or daily for finite periods of up to 21 days.

Coverage is broken into 60-day certification periods. Extensions: There is no strict lifetime limit; Medicare will continue paying as long as your doctor re-certifies every 60 days that you remain "homebound" and still need skilled medical care.

Answer: You should receive your ANOC (Annual Notice of Changes) letter by the first week of October. If your plan will not be renewed for 2027 you will know by reading the ANOC. It is imperative that you reach out to an agent if this is the case. Humana already announce that there will be over 600,000 Medicare Advantage terminations nationwide.

Answer: Medicare is complicated and as a broker I can simplify it for you. There are multiple carriers and dozens of plan options tailored to your individual needs. Working with an agent will save you hours of homework trying to find the best plan for your needs.