LaTosha Turknett, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care; therefore, if your Medicare Advantage plan covers cleanings, it will save you money. Keep in mind, that Medicare Advantage is a major medical plan with ancillary benefits, so care must be taken to ensure the plan is a good fit for you before enrolling.

Answer: You must first be approved, by Social Security, for disability benefits. Then, after a 24 month waiting period, you will qualify for Medicare insurance.

Answer: It depends on how long you have been enrolled in Medicare Part B. In general, the answer would be no.

The open enrollment period for Medicare Supplements is the first-six months of your enrollment into Medicare Part B. Outside of this window, in most cases, health questions will have to be asked. A career agent will be able to ascertain if no health questions are permissible based on special circumstances.

Answer: Each plan is contracted with and approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). They are required to publish a Summary of Benefits and is available online on each company's website, as well as at www.medicare.gov.

Answer: PPO plans generally do not require referrals, but I have seen a growing number of physicians require referrals as an office rule to promote continuity among staff procedures.

Answer: Medicare Part B covers 80% after you pay an annual deductible for the following:

-Doctor services (office visits, inpatient, outpatient services)

-Durable Medical Equipment (DME) like wheelchair, oxygen, hospital bed, etc.

-Diagnostic Services

-Outpatient Services/Surgery

Routine Labs are covered 100%, after your deductible

The leading cause of bankruptcy filings is for medical debt and for that reason, I recommend additional coverage to either pick-up all or part of what Medicare does not cover or choose a plan that gives maximum out-of-pocket protection.

Answer: Yes, Medicare Part D can deny coverage for a brand-name drug if a generic is not available. Keep in mind, each carrier determines their formulary, tiers, costs and special rules for dispensing. Their only requirement is to cover at least two drugs in most commonly prescribed classes (standard, therapeutic) and cover "substantially all" drugs in the six protected catergories and critical classes.

Answer: Medicare plans are not "free". Many have no additional premium, but you must still pay your Medicare Part A & B premium. Those funds are sent to the insurance carrier, pooled, and used to pay claims. **Please note, most people do not pay a Part A premium.**

Answer: Medicare can not drop you for health reasons. The only reason they can drop you is if your premium is not paid.

Answer: No, you do not need to carry your Medicare card if you have a Medicare Advantage(MA) Plan; however, you must show your MA plan card whenever you use medical or prescription drug plan services. Showing your Medicare card when you are enrolled in a MA plan will cause the claim to be rejected and you will be billed. Your providers must bill your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan provider.

Answer: Medicare agents have intimate plan knowledge that will not be available in a benefits summary, like the ease of doing business with one carrier over another or the likelihood of a non-formulary medication being covered after an exceptions request, if needed. Medicare agents also help save you time and money, by using sophistocated systems to narrow the plans based on your specific needs, balancing plan benefits and costs, as opposed to you sifting through the many plans available in your market. Most importantly, once you share your personal information with a broker, you can build a long-term relationship with one agent you trust.