Marisa Mitchell, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Great question! Medicare will cover acupuncture if you have chronic back pain for a limited amount of times with a 20% coinsurance. If you have a Part C (Medicare Advantage) your plan may cover acupuncture for some other ailments so check your plan documents.

Answer: Depending on your location, there may be Medicare Advantage Plans available to help you manage your chronic health condition, these are called Chronic Special Needs Plans. If there is a plan that is tailored to help manage your condition, you may have a special enrollment to join the plan anytime throughout the year. Your doctor will have to verify your chronic health need.

Answer: Many drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans vary by markets. Plan offerings are for specific areas and it is important to review your plan when you move since even if it's with the same company, your old plan may not be offered in your new area. You would likely have a Special Enrollment Period to either return to Original Medicare or enroll into a new drug or Advantage Plan.

You typically have 2 months once you move to select a new plan or you can also change the month before if you notify your plan before you move.

Answer: You may enroll in Part A and be able to delay enrolling in Part B if you are able to keep your employer insurance. Please confirm your coverage with your company human resource to confirm coverage during your initial enrollment period.

Answer: I like to see what my clients goals are in retirement. Lifestyle, premiums, network restrictions and extra benefits all factor into helping my clients achieve the peace of mind and meet their needs.

Answer: This may be due to your tax filing and income changes that impact you via an Income Monthly Related Adjustment Amount or IRMAA.

You could request a redetermination due having a “life changing event” that could lower or even waive IRMAA.

Answer: One: that Medicare is free but it is not! There typically is a monthly premium for Part B.

Secondly, you don’t automatically enroll into a supplemental plan, a drug plan or Medicare Advantage.

Answer: If you missed enrolling during your Initial enrollment, you can enroll the following year during the General Enrollment Period that runs January 1 through March 31st of every year.

If you enrolled in Part A because you were covered by employer coverage you may have a special enrollment period to enroll when you retire.

Answer: Medicare covers cover preventive services like mammograms at no cost to you to keep you healthy! There are many preventative services you can get to detect health problems early and Medicare even covers many vaccines under Part B.

Answer: Medicare agents have to stay up to date and certify every year to be able to help their clients. I love helping my local clients with the best plans that will help them specifically in our community. Our market is not like other markets and other out of state agencies may not understand our market. Shop local!

Answer: Medicare Supplement are also known as as Medigap plans. There are standardized plans that cover deductibles and the 20% co insurance for Part A and Part B.

They do pay secondary to Medicare because Medicare pays first.

Supplements are not Medicare Advantage or Part C plans. You typically hove one or the other and they do not coordinate with each other.