Lowana Richardson, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: It all depends, are you working? Does your employer have credible coverage? Are you a Federal employee, or are you on a State or Union plan. Lots of things to consider, so best advice is to find Medicare agent in your area, not a call center in another state, not just one company, but a broker in your area.

Answer: Yes, find an broker who will guide you. Depending how old you are, if your company had credible coverage, etc. Start signing up 3 months before age 65, just a lot of rules, call a broker who costs you nothing and have them guide you through it. Do not just do nothing - that could mean lifetime penalties

Answer: Usuaally once a year, I suggest looking at your evidence of coverage or summary of benefits. Sometimes more often depending on your risk factor.

Answer: Too many times to think of. Probably when a client came to me because he did not have Part A and when he went to SS they said to go to Medicaid, and when we went to Medicaid, they said no go to SS. We were eventually able to get him covered through Medicaid who paid his penalty to allow him to be able to afford Part A. For Hawaii, it was Medicaid that was supposed to do someting first - their "thing". Each were saying they could not do it without the other doing something first.

Answer: I am not sure why you ask that question, but to me I guess it is because you want to see what decision they made and why?

Answer: No agent should push any MA plan over Medi-gap. They are there to educate and inform. You should be making the decision. I sign more people up with Medigap because the majority donot want to put out a lot of money initially and they would rather take a chance. Then there are those that would rather pay just a larger monthly cost knowing that they will not get any huge surprise bill later no matter what happens healthwise.

Answer: Many Medicare plans cover accupuncture, especially for back pain, again, I suggest talking to your Accupuncturist since that is all they do - submit claims to carriers, they can tell you which carrier is the easiest to get approved.

Answer: The best answer is to ask your physician to see if he can get that approved. Your physician would know better than anyone else because that is what they do. There is a good possibility that it could get approved. Each case is different.

Answer: I woul like to know what kind of bills are you drowning in? Original Medicare by itself is not good thing, because it has no cap. Did you pick up a Medigap plan to cover the 20% and deductibles? To me that would be the only reason you might be drowning in bills. I would not say that a Medicare Advantage plan is the way you should have gone, it all depends on your individual circumstance. Did you sign up when you were just turning 65? Do you have a lot of medical issues, if so then Original Medical with a Medigap plan might have been the best way. However, some people cannot afford a Medicap then a MAPD would be good way rather than just Original Medicare A & B.

Answer: Only for emergency rooms. I recommend picking up a separate travel insurance. Because if you get seen at the ER which may be covered if it is a true emergency and if they admit you into the hospital, that is not covered under Medicare.

Answer: It all depends on whether many things:

1. Are you in the trial right period?

2. Did you move?

3. Did your plan stop servicing your area.

4. Is this during AEP

I suggest you get in touch with a local agent. You can go back to Original Medicare, but you should pick up a Supplemental and that is another area that you should consult an agent. You might have to go through underwriting, and this may not be a time you can pick up a drug plan. It is not just a yes and no answer.

Answer: 1. Because a good Medicare Agent/broker has studied and studied and passed yearly certification. They are not just for one company, but ultimate goal is to serve the client.

2. They can save you money - big time, help you to avoid penalties, and they don't cost you money. A client just emailed today me saying I saved his wife $137,000. Four years earlier he emailed me saying his $79,000 operation cost him $425, thanks to my advice. A good agent is worth every single zero dollar it costs you. But the key is getting an agent who knows their stuff.

Answer: Normally, yes, if it is deemed medically necessary. You can find it in 42 CFR § 410.31 ) Medicare covers a medically necessary bone mass measurement if the following conditions are met: