Kyle McLaughlin, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: While you do not have to pay for Medicare while abroad, but dropping it carries serious risks. You can choose to drop Part B to stop paying the monthly fee, or keep paying for it even though Original Medicare does not cover care outside the U.S.

Benefits of keeping Part B, this ensures you have full coverage ready the moment you return to the U.S but remember you must continue paying the monthly cost even though you're out of the country.

Risk of dropping Part B, when you return, you may face lifelong late enrollment penalties or a waiting period unless you qualify for specific exceptions like active foreign employment coverage.

Answer: Yes, there is a Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP) that can help budget for expensive medications. It does not lower your out-of-pocket prescription drug cost. What it does do is lets you spread your high Part D drug costs into monthly installments instead of paying one large sum at the pharmacy. The payment plan does not work for everyone. However, the payment plan options could be the right fit for you if:

1. If you take expensive medications that cause you to hit the annual out-of-pocket spending cap early in the year.

2. If you need help budgeting and prefer predictable, consistent monthly payments over sudden, high co-pays at the pharmacy counter.

3. If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.

It's important to note, that you do not enroll in the payment plan with the Pharmacy, you must enroll with your plan that you have your part D coverage through or your Medicare Advantage plan itself.

Answer: Let's not confuse you with the "Donut Hole" as it no longer exists today. This was part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Medicare Part D - Prescription Drug coverage now operates in 3 phases. 1. Deductible Phase, where you pay 100% of the drug cost until your deductible is met. 2. Initial Coverage Phase, where you typically pay a copay or percentage (%) of the cost, and the plan pays the rest, until out-of-pocket spending reaches an annual cap limit. 3. Catastrophic Coverage Phase, once your out-of-pocket prescription costs reach the annual limit (e.g., $2,100 in 2026), you pay nothing for covered medications for the rest of the year.

Answer: Yes, there are various Federal & State programs that are available to help. The key is taking the time and effort to see if you qualify for any of the programs. The most common one on the Federal side is the Exta Help (Low-Income Subsidy), which you apply directly through S.S Administration. I know in PA, there is the Medicare Savings Program, in which you apply through the PA Dept. of Aging. PA also has PACE and PACE-NET, which is a state-funded prescription assistance program that helps lower out-of-pocket medication costs.

Answer: No, there should not be any hidden costs in your Medicare Advantage plan. All copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and other cost-sharing are outlined in the plan's Summary of Benefits (SOB), which every plan is required to provide.

To fully understand what you're getting, it's also important to review the plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which provides detailed information about your benefits, coverage rules, and out-of-pocket costs.

Where confusion sometimes arises is with the cost-sharing of the supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage. While these benefits are included in many plans, they often have coverage limits, copays, coinsurance, or annual maximums that aren't always understood.

Answer: In general NO, however, there are certain Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) that do offer Part "giveback" or "buyback" benefits that refund a portion of your Part B Premium. The amount can range from just a few dollars and sometimes up to the full part B premium. This credit is directly applied as a credit to your monthly Social Security check or Medicare Bill that you receive.

Answer: Yes, you can be enrolled in both, and this is known as "Dual Eligible" - It's important to know the difference between them. Medicare is the Federal Health Insurance program generally for people 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. This is mostly commonly known as Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Doctors). The "Aid" in Medicaid, means you would receive financial assistance. This financial assistance is provided by both the federal and state programs that help with medical costs for those with limited income and resources.

Answer: Yes, in PA there are 3 main sources and organizations that offer free and unbiased Medicare counseling. These are, You Local Area Agency on Aging, PA MEDI Helpline, and Senior Community Centers. These places have counselors that are specially trained to assist with plan comparisons, enrollments and appeals.

Answer: NO, you may not use your HSA funds. The IRS does not consider Medigap premiums as a qualified medical expense. However, you may use your HSA funds to pay for out-of-pockets cost such as Medicare Part B, Part C (Prescription Drug), Part C (Medicare Advantage) Premiums. In addition, you can use the funds to pay for your deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurances.

Answer: Yes, you can legally get paid for caregiving. However, it is important that you check with your state laws on this topic. I know for PA, they use programs like Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver or Caregiver Support Programs in order for caregivers to receive compensation. Note, in general, spouses are excluded from these programs but children typically qualify.

Answer: Absolutely. There are specialized Medicare Advantage plans called Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) that are designed specifically for people living with certain chronic health conditions. These plans are tailored to provide coordinated care and enhanced benefits for individuals with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and chronic heart failure

Answer: Local Medicare agents provide three key benefits: personalized, relationship-based guidance; extensive knowledge of the local Medicare plans and healthcare providers in your area; and, most importantly, ongoing support throughout the year. They are there to help you not only choose the right plan but also answer questions, review your coverage annually, and assist you whenever your healthcare needs change.