Lisa Wohlhieter Hobbs, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Moving to a new state affects your coverage/timeline because Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D prescription drug plans are regional. This move will trigger a Special Enrollment Period for your Medicare MA Plan and your PD Plan. Your timeline to change plans is a month before your move up to 2 months after you move. You should also notify Social Security of your new address. If you are covered under Original Medicare and/or are enrolled in a Medigap Plan, this coverage is portable and you will not need to re-enroll- only notify your plan carrier and update your full address. It's possible your premium rates may change in a different state. Should you change your Medigap plan- you may have to go through underwriting.

Answer: First of all, welcome to Florida! You should notify Medicare through your Medicare account regarding your new address and understand there could be rate changes. You should also verify whether your plan is offered in your new Florida zip code area. Yes, it is plausible you can keep your coverage.

Answer: As an agent, I have found too many people want the same plan a neighbor or a friend has without understanding the plan in full. Most likely being the wrong plan for them and their own health needs.

Answer: Regarding your Medicare Advantage and Part D plan providers will send you The Annual Notice of Change letter each year by September 30th which may be delivered by email or regular mail.

Answer: I enjoy working with my Medicare clients to streamline the decision process regarding their healthcare coverage and to listen to their life experiences. They have much wisdom!

Answer: Before you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, be sure your providers are covered under the specific carrier's network. Your MA Plan covers your health care. You cannot use both Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare. It is one or the other. It's important to have a reliable agent to work with to be there for your questions and to properly access your healthcare needs each year to make sure you are in the plan that works best for you.

Answer: In most cases you may not be able to switch without a solid reason unless you fall within your 6 month Medigap OEP or unless you are eligible due a certain situation or event or for a guaranteed issue right. There are many factors to consider before switching such as required medical underwriting which may increase your plan cost, and the new plan may not cover pre-existing health conditions.

Answer: Think of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans as an

Ala Carte menu vs. a Prix Fixe menu. Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is government run offering flexibility in choosing doctors, no caps offered on out-of-pocket spending, you will need to add a separate Prescription drug plan and because Original Medicare covers Hospital and Medical with co-insurances of around 20% and co-pays, and is ala-carte of your choosing, it does not include dental, vision, hearing, or any fitness benefits. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are run by private companies that bundle these benefits and offer a cap on your out-of-pocket costs with regards to your hospital/medical and prescription drug coverage amounts. Because the Medicare Advantage plans bundle your menu items, you also have a built-in prescription drug plan, along with other benefits like dental, vision, and hearing benefits in addition to extra benefits such as fitness memberships- all in one or "Prix Fixe".

Answer: Original Medicare (Parts A and B) won't cover the cost of a smartwatch since it is not categorized as Durable Medical Equipment. Some private Medicare Advantage plans may offer these extra health and wellness type benefits that monitor or track personal emergency response systems or activity tracking. Review your specific plan details for these extra benefits.

Answer: Although, I do recommend working with an agent you trust will represent your best interests, there may be disadvantages working with a Medicare broker/agent with regards to that particular agent offering limited plan options and should they represent only one carrier their recommendations may be biased. Some broker/agents that are not familiar with the various Medicare Plan benefits may mislead you into a plan that does not align with your healthcare needs, since healthcare needs are likely to change from year to year. In addition, there are other benefits you may be missing out on such as gap coverage for initial hospital stays, extended dental coverage plans, cancer/stroke plans as well as hearing and vision supplement plans if the broker/agent does not offer these healthcare protections.

Answer: The individual does need to have Part B which covers medically necessary spinal adjustments only when it comes to chiropractic services. However, if the individual enrolls in the proper Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), it is possible to receive broader chiropractic coverage with different cost sharing avenues. So, the answer is yes.

Answer: You will get a new individual enrollment period 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday to three months after your 65th birthday. Your disability will convert to a retirement benefit and your disability through social security benefits once you turn 65, will automatically enroll you in Parts A and B which you need to qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Should you not take any action, you will be enrolled in Parts A and B, but you will need to enroll in a stand-alone drug plan.

Answer: Plan G supplement plan provides the most value with comprehensive coverage regarding out-of-pocket costs, except for the Part B deductible. So really no surprises with Plan G. If you don't mind some participation or cost sharing than Plan N supplement plan may be right for you with lower premiums.

Answer: An experienced Medicare Broker will conduct a thorough needs assessment and will provide a comprehensive comparison of different plans based on client's feedback. An experienced Medicare Broker avoids pressure tactics and will work with a client so they can make a decision at their own pace. You will also most likely receive ongoing support to follow up to make sure you received your Medicare plan card and to answer any other questions you may have.

Answer: As your agent, I would first verify this. AEP season is around the corner, and we can enroll you beginning October 15, 2025, with a plan that covers your doctor(s) and your prescription(s). and works within your budget as long as you have Parts A and B or Original Medicare. We can also look into to see if you qualify for a SEP enrollment, so you would not have to wait or get any Part D penalty for late enrollment.

Answer: Being a Medicare Agent allows me to be a reliable human resource for individuals in my community who rely on getting the proper information specific to their Healthcare needs. People are just looking for the answers to their questions and a little compassion too.

Answer: Yes, this payment plan could possibly help you manage your out of pocket prescription drug costs throughout the year. This also would depend on your individual needs.