Kelly Linster, Medicare Insurance Agent
Kelly Linster
Linster Agency LLC
Medicare Agent Licensed in ND, AZ, CO, IA and SD
Contact Details
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Location
West Fargo, ND
About Me
Greetings! I'm Kelly, a Medicare insurance agent dedicated to serving your local area. Medicare is my area of expertise, and I'm committed to helping you pinpoint the most suitable plan for your individual needs and budget. I'll handle the research and comparison of plans from top national and local companies, so you can relax. Plus, my assistance comes at absolutely no cost to you. Reach out to me today to discuss your Medicare insurance possibilities, and remember to mention you found me through Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Kelly Linster
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: You’ll have questions before, during and after the sale. I’m an agent who answers his phone in time of need.
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: If given the choice choose PPO, you will not be locked into one organizations doctors. Way more options to choose.
Can you help me understand Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limits in Medicare plans, from your experience as an agent?
Answer: It’s the worst it could be if you have a terrible health year. It’s the cumulation of copays and possible coinsurance cost sharing. Think of it as a stop loss!
I worked for the federal government for 30 years and took early retirement. How does my federal retirement affect my Medicare options?
Answer: Depending on federal plan you are offered, you may or may not have to enroll in part B of Medicare. Potentially saving you the part B premium.
How do I know if a Medigap policy is right for me, and what's the best time to buy one?
Answer: Medigap plans are standardized benefits. Meaning whether you purchase company A or companies X,Y or Z they will all fill in the gaps of Medicare the exact same way.
When is the best time of the year to start looking at Medicare options?
Answer: I would recommend looking 3-6 months before your 65th birthday. This allows you to get fully educated and pick the plan that fits your needs best.
My Medicare Advantage plan advertised dental coverage, but it barely covers anything. Is this normal?
Answer: These benefits are highly dependent on the Medicare Advantage plan you pick. Better network means optimizing all your dental benefits.
Shouldn't Medicare expand to cover more alternative treatments that actually help seniors?
Answer: I don’t disagree with your question. We must keep in mind that changes to original Medicare will take an act of Congress, literally and figuratively.
I'm on an expensive specialty medication. Will the 2025 Part D changes help someone in my situation?
Answer: Yes you will be capped at $2000 maximum out of pocket (MOOP). One must check to make sure the medicine is on the formulary.
My income fluctuates significantly year to year from investment distributions. How can I avoid IRMAA surcharges when I have an unusually high-income year?
Answer: IRMAA looks back two years to determine your surtax. Consulting an account could help in smoothing out the IRMAA adjustments.
Isn't it suspicious that Medicare Advantage plans offer gift cards and incentives to enroll?
Answer: All Medicare Advantage plans have to submit to CMS all extra benefits and incentives they plan to offer to all potential enrollees. They will not discriminate who gets these benefits.
So with all these 2025 Medicare changes, should I be switching plans or staying put?
Answer: It never hurts to take a look. By all means you don’t have to make a switch if you don’t want to. But it’s not a bad idea to see what other competitors are offering.
What advice would you give to seniors who are feeling overwhelmed by all the Medicare options available?
Answer: I would talk or meet face to face to a Medicare Specialist. They will be able to address all worries and have the ability to get you off on the right foot.
I switched to a new Part D plan and now half my meds require prior authorization. Why didn't anyone warn me this could happen?
Answer: Prior authorizations are a function of the medicines being taken. This issue would happen with most Part D plans. The beauty is you’re not locked in forever. We can help you evaluate a new plan in the fall.
If Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are better for long-term coverage, why don't more people choose them?
Answer: Better is a very subjective term. I find when a client is educated on both Advantage plans & Supplement plans. They choose what fits their needs the best from the very start of Medicare.
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
Answer: You should be fine with not signing up but it is always best to seek out a local agent to discuss your specific situation.
So my friend told me I should just go with the cheapest Medicare plan. That sounds too simple - what am I missing?
Answer: It all depends whether you have chosen to go Supplement or Advantage. What’s cheap to one person is expensive to the next. Get good council and then choose according to your comfort level.
Don't you think Medicare's focus on treatment rather than prevention is backwards?
Answer: Yes I feel treatment first vs. prevention is a little backwards in my honest opinion. But as an advisory, I advise and customer chooses which route to go.
What are the red flags I should look for when interviewing agents? I want to make sure I'm not just getting sold to but genuinely advised.
Answer: I would focus on the agents that educate first, sell second. Education is very empowering when it comes to which plan you must choose upon being eligible for Medicare.
I use a continuous glucose monitor for my diabetes that connects to my smartphone. Will Medicare cover this technology for someone with my condition?
Answer: Both Advantage and Supplements will cover CGM’s. They differ on how the equipment is covered. Seek out good council to how you want to attack this with your Medicare insurance.
My Medicare Advantage plan listed my doctor, but now they say he's out of network. How is that even allowed?
Answer: Doctors are allowed to decide what insurance carriers they will accept. Depending on the plan you have the copays may be the same or possibly higher. Just as your doctor has the choice on what insurance he will accept, you can always find a new doctor who accepts the plan you bought.