Mark Maliwauki, Medicare Insurance Broker
Mark Maliwauki
Pennant Advisors, LLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in ID, AZ, CA, FL, IA, KS, MN, MT, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY
Contact Details
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Location
Star, ID
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Phone
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Website
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LinkedIn
Mark Can Help With:
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplement
- Prescription Drug
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plans
- Hearing Plans
- Individual / Family Plans
- Group Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Final Expense Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Short Term Care Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Annuities
About Me
Pennant Advisors LLC is dedicated to advising and helping all individuals aging into Medicare (turning 65) to those who already have Medicare to ensure they have the best policy and options for their individual circumstances. We want to keep everyone in the game for the foreseeable future!
Q&A with Mark Maliwauki
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: You can sign up for Medicare 3 months before your birth month.
I encourage my clients to sign up for both Part A & Part B to avoid future penalties for enrolling late.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: They mix up Medicare with Social Security. These are separate. Medicare is only health insurance and although most qualify, there is a standard number of hours worked or “credits” that must be achieved to get Medicare.
How does life insurance contribute to financial planning?
Answer: Planning for the unknown is what insurance is all about. Risk should be considered and addressed. Financial futures are severely impacted when the right amount of insurance is not taken out.
Why is the new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for drug costs important?
Answer: Because it is a cap on all prescriptions for a given year. Once the $2000 cap is achieved, all prescriptions are $0 for the remainder of the year.
Will I be penalized if I do not enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
Answer: You certainly could be. You must be able to either prove you have medical and prescription drug coverage or get bothPart A and B and a drug plan Part D
I’m retiring next year—do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
Answer: You will have 63 days from your last coverage date to enroll in a qualified Medicare plan. This can be a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with a drug plan.
What role do you think technology will play in the future of Medicare?
Answer: It has the opportunity to change it dramatically. AI integration, getting rid of fraud and waste once and for all will allow Medicare benefits to truly change lives.
How will the new 2025 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap impact seniors and prescription drug costs?
Answer: It will save some Seniors who are paying a lot for Rx. The challenge is that it is unfair to assume Medicare carriers can pick up the slack. Drug prices must come down so significant pressure must be put on all Rx companies.
How do discount cards and resources affect my Medicare Prescription Drug plan?
Answer: They can supplement depending on the availability of your Rx and a plan in a given plan area. Discount cards are another option when regular Rx plan options are not available.
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
Answer: Yes. Losing employer coverage qualifies as a special enrollment period. You have 63 days to get your new coverage in place.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: Original Medicare Part A and Part B would be very costly in the event of a serious or catastrophic accident or injury. You would pay 20% out of pocket for all expenses incurred. A Medicare Advantage plan has a Maximum Out of Pocket that limits your liability and caps your costs.