Marcia West, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms, certain cancer screenings , bone mass measurements, and others are free. If your doctor recommends a screening, it's a good idea to check to see what, if any, cost is involved.

Answer: Surgery that is performed outside a hospital setting is covered under Part B. Surgery that is performed in a hospital is covered by Part A.

Answer: Being a Medicare agent is not an easy job. We are required to re-certify every year and each carrier also has their own certification requirements. Medicare rules and plans change every year. Sometimes it's all we can do to keep up. But knowing that I can save Medicare beneficiaries the time and trouble of researching the Medicare landscape themselves makes it all worthwhile. Hearing things like, "Thank you. I don't what I would have done without your help!" makes it all worthwhile.

Answer: Yes, if you fail to pay your plan premiums. You want to make sure you keep up your premium payments. If you fall behind, they will give you notice before cancelling your policy.

Answer: The easiest way to order replacement cards is to use the medicare.gov website. You may also call the Medicare 800 number but I would advise calling at a time or day when they are least busy, such as early in the morning, but not on Monday.

Answer: If you enroll in a plan where your doctor is in network, you can keep your doctor. If your doctor is out-of-network you can still see him or her, but you may have a higher copay than an in-network doctor.

Answer: No. As long as you have credible coverage that is at least as good as Medicare, you can keep that coverage without being charged a penalty when you enroll in Medicare. Keep in mind, you have 63 days from the date your previous coverage ends to enroll in Medicare without a late enrollment penalty.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are not for everyone. A person who can afford the monthly plan premiums in addition to their Part B premiums may prefer a Medicare Supplement that has one annual deductible, then pays the 20% of costs that original Medicare does not cover. Medicare Advantage plans have copays and deductibles. Carriers may deny treatment or require a person to see in-network doctors. But most combine prescription drug coverage and other benefits such as dental, vision or hearing. This is why it's important to seek advice from a Medicare specialist who can guide you in choosing the plan that's the right fit instead of listening to friends and neighbors who may be biased.

Answer: When you meet with a Medicare broker you will need to provide them with names of your providers and prescriptions you take. They will then enter the information in a comparison tool that shows which plans cover which drugs. Medicare.gov also has a similar tool you can use if you choose to do your own comparison shopping.

Answer: Once a person qualifies for Medicare they can no longer contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). A Medical Savings Account (MSA) can be set up by someone who is already a Medicare beneficiary.

Answer: With a Medicare Medical Savings account you can see any doctor that accepts Medicare. You will not need prior approval or use only in-network providers. You will have greater flexibility in the choices you make in how you spend your Medicare dollars. It may be especially beneficial for someone who has unusual medical requirements where a more specialized plan will better meet their needs.

Answer: If you have a Health Savings Account, you and your employer will need to stop contributing to the fund 6 months before you apply for Medicare benefits.

Answer: A Medicare Medical Savings Account is a type of self-directed fund that works similar to Medicare Advantage plans. This fund can be used by Medicare beneficiaries for medical expenses.

Answer: Most Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans with Prescription Drug coverage will cover these drugs, although you will want to check the plan you are considering to make sure this or any treatment you receive is covered and what will be your out-of-pocket costs.

Answer: The rules surrounding Medicare MSA funds can be complicated. According to Ametros, when MSA funds are exhausted, if you have met certain conditions, Medicare will begin to pay for all covered items related to your injury. It's a good idea to get advice from a knowledgeable professional before making decisions regarding your MSA account.

Answer: It would be nice if more information was available to seniors and people who are turning 65, retiring or otherwise new to Medicare. I get calls from people who are totally in the dark as to what to do. Some don't even know how to enroll in Part A & B (go to www.ssi.gov and follow the instructions). A broker can explain what you need to know and help you find a plan that fits your specific needs. A broker who is willing to take the time can even walk you through the steps.