Korina Medrano, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Have your doctor submit more information to the plan such as records, test results, or a letter explaining why you must see this specialist. You can also file an appeal and have the plan redetermine the outcome.

Answer: Yes, contact a professional agent and keep them as long as you can. It's going to be a great experience.

Answer: Talk to a local professional broker. Agents that represent all or many local plans can help guide you!

Answer: Social Security reviews your IRS tax returns for the past 2 years of income (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) and determines your IRMAA. For 2025: if it’s 103k as an individual or 206k as married filing jointly, you’re Part B and Part D will be higher. You may check your return or you will also get a letter from Social Security with this information.

Answer: Plan G will cover the following after the annual Medicare deductible of $257 :

Part A hospital coinsurance (and up to 365 extra hospital days)

Part B coinsurance/copays

Skilled nursing facility coinsurance

Blood (first 3 pints)

Part A hospice coinsurance/copays

Excess charges (when doctors charge more than Medicare’s approved amount)

Answer: it will cover the charges billed after approved by Medicare and after deductible has been met.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are run by private companies, but they’re approved and regulated by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid. They have to cover everything Original Medicare covers and they offer extra perks like dental, vision, or prescriptions.

You keep your Medicare benefits, just in a bundled, often more convenient plan.

Answer: Yes, you are under no obligation. Also, ask which carriers each is appointed with. You are never locked in with any agent and if you have the time to speak to each one, it would be beneficial,

Answer: Privacy and being in completely engaged and listening carefully with no agenda. Also helps to be in a place that the client feels comfortably.

Answer: Yes, if you drop it from abroad, you may face penalties for the Part B Premium and Part D. You want to have seamless coverage upon your return to the US.

Answer: The “donut hole” was confusing and caused Medicare recipients to incur a larger amount of funds to cover medication after reaching a certain threshold. In 2025, because of the Inflation Reduction Act, medications were capped at 2k a year. So, no matter what medications you’re prescribed, the max of what you will pay, will have a 2k ceiling.

Answer: Medicare is very unique type of health care coverage that you or your spouse paid for through your working years to attain. It is not like the type of insurance coverage you may have had while you were working for a company a.k.a. group insurance. Speak to a professional broker and this can be made simpler for you!

Answer: Medicare is a federal benefit not an insurance. Medicare Advantage plans are low cost plans that cover what Medicare alone does not depending on where you reside and also your specific need.

Answer: Trust a broker. Let them help you at no cost. There is so much information out there and we have worked hard all year to train and advise on how to limit your exposure.

Answer: My professional opinion is: At the bare minimum please have a Medicare Advantage even if you are healthy and don't feel the need to attain any additional coverage outside of Original Medicare. Your health can be assessed at the time of enrollment and a recommendation can be provided by a licensed agent. You are under no obligation to enroll. This will protect you from having an unknown amount of medical expenses should "God, forbid" anything happens. Medicare is a federal benefit and is not an insurance. I would highly reccomend that you assess your specific needs at the time you initially enroll or during your Annual and Open Enrollments.

Answer: If deemed homebound by a medical professional, Medicare would cover intermittent or part-time skilled nursing, skilled therapy services, home health aide, durable medical equipent (walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) counseling and medical supplies (wound care). This would be under a medical professional's directive and the facility offering these services would have to be approved by Medicare.

Answer: Retain it for your records. If you receive a bill from a doctor or medical facility, you will be able to quickly crosscheck what has been billed to Medicare. It's an excellent form of reference.

Answer: Being an agent is a dying art. I would want an agent. There are no fees associated with getting advise from an expert.