Kathryn Zekas, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: When I'm able to use my knowledge to teach & help seniors, and they say, "Thank you so much for helping me understand what I needed to do. I was so stressed out about all of this and you made it much easier to understand and saved me so much time!" This is why I do what I do. I love meeting so many wonderful people, many husbands and wives, and I'm so fulfilled being able to build a business doing something I love!

Answer: Well, in some areas there is no additional Monthly Premium to enroll onto a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is wonderful! You still have to pay your Part B Medicare premium, but here in NE Florida, we have many Advantage Plans that have a $0. Monthly premium!

Answer: Possibly. Medicare restructured the Part D (drug) plans for 2025. Many may have a deductible for certain Tiers, or possibly your Part D plan changed for this year. We would have to look at your Summary of Benefits to find out.

Also, It is a good idea to review your Annual Notice of Changes, which is mailed or emailed to you by October 3rd every year. This will show you what your current plan looks like and what it will look like for the upcoming year.

Answer: A LOCAL Medicare Agent knows the area and specializes in the plans in that area. More importantly, we also learn the NETWORKS, meaning, we know which plans work best with which doctors or networks you prefer if you are considering a Medicare Advantage Plan. It happens all of the time where a non local agent "sells" a plan based on benefits and puts someone on a plan that doesn't work for them and is very hard to use. I don't ever want that happening to anyone I am helping. If you're going with a Medicare plan that has networks, lets find the best plan that is going to work for YOU!

Answer: Trying to do it on their own and not knowing what they need to do to avoid penalties or late enrollment fees. Also, sometimes people set up their Part A & B, and they may not need to pay for Part B yet if they are still working and covered by a plan that is considered "creditable coverage."

Answer: First, its a good idea to work with a LOCAL licensed Medicare broker. They should take the time to review your individual situation and needs and educate you on your options, and help you find a good plan that is going to work for you at least for the rest of the year. But Medicare does have an Annual Enrollment Period from October 15th - December 7th each year, where you can reshop and enroll into a different plan for the upcoming year. There are also special circumstances that may apply to some people that may allow you to change your plan at different times. Your local broker can check that for you.

Answer: It depends on several things. Are you still working, and if so, are you covered by a health plan that is considered "creditable coverage"? Also, are you drawing SS already? That will make a difference as to whether your Medicare will be set up automatically or whether you need to request to have it set up. Talk to a good Local Medicare Broker at least 3 months before you retire, and they can help you walk through the process of what you need to do in your situation.

Answer: Once you are on Medicare, many preventive screenings are FULLY covered, such as mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, psa tests, yearly wellness checkups and more! This is a guide to some of the screenings and how frequently Medicare will cover them.

https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10110-your-guide-to-medicare-preventive-services.pdf

Answer: There are many types of plans out there, and generally, you may pay more for better insurance. You most likely have what is called a Medicare Supplement, which is a Private Insurance that is designed to pay on top of Original Medicare. It gives you the freedom to go anywhere (no networks to be concerned with) because Original Medicare is your primary payor, and your supplement pays secondly and helps pay your health bills. It could be your friend could have Medicaid, or possibly enrolled onto a Medicare Advantage plan. Those plans work differently than a Medicare Supplement plan.

Answer: Yes. Generally, a Medigap Plan G will pay everything after you have met your Medicare Part B deductible, which for 2025 is $257. So the office will bill Medicare, and Medicare can see if you have already met your deductible or not. If not, you will owe the $257 first, and then your supplement will pay the rest.

Answer: If you don't enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 (without qualifying employer coverage), you'll face a 10% Part B premium penalty per year delayed, which is permanent.

However, if you continue to work after age 65 and have health insurance from your employer, you can usually sign up for Medicare after your employer coverage ends without paying a penalty. It's a good idea to talk to a local licensed Medicare Broker about your individual situation to make sure.

Answer: Honestly, Medicare supplements are such good plans, but if you are wanting to compare, I would get with a LOCAL Medicare broker who knows the plans in the area. Medicare Advantage plans work very differently and you'll want to understand HOW they work and which ones will allow you to stay with your current doctors (unless you are open to changing).