Linda Bolan, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: There are a couple that come to mind, but I do often hear that they wished they talked to Broker before signing up. Medicare is confusing and often they did not know about options or penalties.

Answer: Most of the complex issues I have dealt with seem to be when a client has Medicare and Medicaid. Often the client doesn't know what he/she has. So I help determine their level of Medicaid if they have it and find a plan that will best fit their needs.

Answer: Your first step is to apply for Medicare Part A (Hospitalization) and Part B is Medical. There will be a premium for Part B that changes every January. Typically Part A is at no cost.

Answer: Medicare is very complex. The cost of prescription drugs are high and it's difficult for some clients to fill their prescriptions due to the cost. It would be great if pricing was adjusted for Medicare clients

Answer: It all depends on the individual and what they can comfortably afford. We look at health and also budget to determine the best option for each client.

Answer: No, Part A primarily covers inpatient hospital care. With Part A you are still responsible for deductibles and coinsurance. These out-of-pocket costs can add up, especially during extended hospital stays. It will not cover long term custodial care.

Answer: The $2,000 drug cost is important to know that this is the most you will pay for prescriptions drugs for the year. This cap can particularly benefit those with chronic conditions or those requiring expensive specialty medications.

Answer: There are penalties involved if you do not have health insurance through an employer and you wait to enroll in Medicare.

If you do have an employer sponsored health insurance, you will not be penalized if you can provide proof of insurance when you decide to retire and go onto Medicare.

Answer: As long as the senior has an employee sponsored health insurance plan they can delay going on Medicare. If a senior is employed but does not have health insurance a penalty is involved for delaying enrollment.

Answer: Veteran Affairs benefits and separate from Medicare. If a Senior is using the VA, Medicare is not responsible for any coverage. If the Senior also has a Medicare plan and sees a doctor outside of the VA they Medicare may pay.

In the case where a Senior has an employer plan and Medicare. Typically, the employer plan pays first and then it goes to Medicare as a secondary. But employee plans vary and coverage could work differently.

Answer: You cannot use a discount prescription drug card in conjunction with Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. You must choose either to use your Part D prescription drug card or the discount card, you cannot use both at the same time.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans do have some great benefits, but some things to keep in mind are:

Medicare Advantage plans has specific doctors and hospitals in their network, so these plans are network based.

Prior Authorizations are needed for some services, which can cause some delay in necessary care.

It's important to check each year to make sure your doctor is still in the network, as this can change from year to year.

Answer: Navigating Medicare can be confusing. Having someone come in a talk with parents and have a family member present at the meeting so everyone understands the basics of Medicare is vitally important.

Plan options and going over the plans and comparing them is extremely important to find the plan that best fits their needs.

It's important that if a Broker comes in to talk with the parent they are simplifying the process and giving adequate time for discuss and questions at the same time building trust that the Broker has the client's best interest at heart.

Answer: Annuities can plan a significant role in retirement planning, primarily by providing guaranteed income. This income can be crucial for covering essential living expenses in retirement.

Answer: There are certain individuals that would qualify for Medicare. Individuals who have Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for 24 months are eligible for Medicare. Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease and Individuals with ALS.

It's important to understand that receiving Supplemental Security Income along does not qualify someone for Medicare. The Social Security Administration handles Medicare enrollment, so they are the best resource for detailing eligibility information.

Answer: Plan G offers comprehensive coverage, filling many of the "gaps" in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Plan G will cover your hospital deductibles, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance and Part B excess charges. Plan G does have a yearly deductible that the government changes the 1st of January each year. This plan has the most extensive coverage for anyone just turning 65.

Answer: The most underrated benefit of Original Medicare is freedom of choice. With Original Medicare you can see any provider as long as they take Medicare. no referrals are needed and it travels well. The coverage is Nation wide.