Louanne Allison, Medicare Insurance Agent
Louanne Allison
Medicare Agent Licensed in FL, IL, MI, OH, TN, TX and UT
Contact Details
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Location
Grand Blanc, MI
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LinkedIn
Louanne Can Help With:
About Me
Hey there, my name is Louanne, and I am your local Medicare advisor and agent. I specialize in Medicare and am devoted to helping you find the best plan that matches your specific needs and financial situation. I will take care of the daunting task of comparing plans from well-known national and local companies for you. Even better, my services are completely free! Contact me today to explore your Medicare options, and be sure to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Louanne Allison
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: I like being a Medicare agent and helping to find the plan that will save my client the most money on their health copays and prescriptions. I also check to see if the client qualifies for assistance from the state and help with the application.
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: I check to see if all their doctors are in-network with the HMO we are considering. If all doctors are in-network, an HMO can work beautifully! If there are new medical conditions that arise later and a specialist is needed, the HMO will have access to specialists as needed.
How can I verify if a Medicare Advantage plan's advertised benefits are legit?
Answer: Talk to your agent or me to be sure. Agents advertise a food benefit of say, $3000, but neglects to mention that the person has to be on full state Medicaid. I can apply or check for your state level of Medicaid.
I'm caring for my elderly parent with dementia. How can I get legal authority to manage their Medicare?
Answer: You may want to put a Power of Attorney in place, and you get that with a lawyer. This is also a good time to set up the person's will and advance directives.
What is the trap of Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: The trap of Medicare Advantage plans is the hospital copays. These can range from $1800-$3000 for every hospital stay. I sell a Hospital Indemnity plan that is affordable and will cover this copay should it ever occur. Hospital Indemnity plans can provide peace of mind and its how I set myself up!!
If I need long-term care in the future, how does Medicare fit into that plan, and what should I be doing now to prepare?
Answer: Medicare and a Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan will provide up to 100 days of nursing home care, and is generally not enough if a person needs long term care (LTC). The average stay in a nursing home is 3 years. LTC is expensive and I usually recommend it only if a person has assets between $500,000 and $1,000,000. If they have over $1 million, they can just pay for it. If a person has under $500,000, they can spend it down to get into the Medicaid range where the state will pay. If person has assets between $500k and $1 million, a LTC plan may be a option to explore. I can provide a quote.
I picked the plan with the lowest premium, but now every doctor visit feels like a surprise bill. Should I have gone with a higher premium instead?
Answer: This question must be for a Medicare Advantage plan which has a zero premium with specific copays for specialists. If a person needs to see their pain management specialist every month as some do, they are required to pay the copay which is generally about $50. There are plans with zero premium and specialist copays of $0-$30 available, but I have to check your zip code and doctor's names to see if they are in-network.
Are Medicare plans and requirements different for every state?
Answer: Yes and even can vary by zip codes in the same state. All will require Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B. Medicare Supplements are more expensive with a higher monthly premium generally than Medicare Advantage plans, but the benefits are: Any doctor, Any specialist, Any Hospital and Any state.
What's the best way to compare my current Medicare supplement plan to a Medicare advantage plan?
Answer: I will develop a side-by-side comparison for each prospect to help them with the decision. I will need zip code, lists of medications and doctors, and other specifics that may be important like include a dental quote or how much the Over-the-counter benefit is.
What is the main benefit of Medicare Part D?
Answer: Medicare Part D allows a client to purchase their prescriptions from a carrier that has their medication in their formulary. If a client wants a Medicare Supplement plan, I have to put a stand alone Medicare Part D plan also in place to prevent Late Enrollment Penalty for not having a part D plan. Prices for Part D plans will vary and costs of the drugs vary. Part D plans are included in many Medicare Advantage plans for low to zero premiums. This is important homework that must be done.
How can I lower my Medicare Part B premium if my income drops after retirement?
Answer: There is a form available to submit a request to lower the Medicare Part B premium to Social Security and Medicare. Check with me or your insurance agent for details and help to submit the request.
How do I compare Part D plans to minimize costs for a mix of generic and specialty drugs?
Answer: I use Medicare.gov which is a powerful tool that is available to anyone, which checks the cost of your drugs in your zip code by all the plans you have available. Its where I start with most of my prospects, and because I use it daily, I am very proficient and fast with it. I am available to work on it for you.