Marsha Reiniers, Medicare Insurance Agent
About Me
I am an independent agent licensed to sell Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plans, Prescription Drug plans, and other insurance products. Since 2002, I have helped my clients navigate the maze of Medicare, from assisting them with enrollment questions, to helping them find the best Medicare health plan at an affordable price. Originally from West Virginia, I graduated cum laude with major in Business Administration. My goal is to help you research your options with no pressure or obligation. Awarded Top Medicare Sales Leader for my agency for 2023 and 2024. Licensed for Medicare in Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Use my website at www.InsureWithMarsha.com to schedule a remote web meeting at your convience, or Call me, I can help!
Q&A with Marsha Reiniers
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
Answer: I offer a personalized consultation so we can design your health plan to meet your specific needs. I don't rush you to make a decision - you make your decision only after reviewing all your options, whether it be a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. And once you become my client, I stay I stay in touch, following up to make sure you have your ID Card and understand how to access your benefits. And when Annual Enrollment starts in the fall, I reach out to you so we can review your plan, and we can make adjustments as needed each year.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: The type of plan you choose depends on your individual situation. Some people choose a Medicare Supplement plan because they can afford the premium and value having complete choice of medical providers without regard to whether they are in network or not. Others value the Medicare Advantage plan and like the extra ancillary benefits they offer. They may feel comfortable with a managed health plan since the doctors they see are in network for the plan they select. The most important consideration is choosing the plan that works best for you - not necessarily the plan your friend or neighbor may have. Make that determination for yourself with the help of an agent who can assist you in making the best decision for your specific health and financial situation
How do Medicare Advantage star ratings affect the quality of care I can expect?
Answer: Each year, in an effort to assist you in making a decision about a particular Medicare Advantage or RX plan, CMS, The Center for Medicare Services, rates each plan from one to a five-star rating as a way to measure how those plans perform. These star ratings are based on at last 50 different parameters. The higher the star rating, would indicate that the plan has met those different parameters of measurement better than another plan. Each carrier strives to improve their star ratings as can result in extra money for extra benefits for its members.
To answer this question, the quality of care you may receive from a provider is going to be dependent on that particular provider in the clinical situation.
Why do some people regret choosing a Medicare Advantage plan over Original Medicare?
Answer: If your health situation has dramatically changed, some people may wish they had a Medicare Supplement plan - usually due to choice of physicians or healthcare facilities, as Medicare Advantage plans are network driven. And it is important to note that even though your PPO plan allows you to 'see any provider of your choice,' that provider still has to agree to seeing you out of network. So that can be problematic in some cases and make them wish they had chosen a Med Supp plan. Both types of plans have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to understand the differences between both before making your own healthcare decision.
My kids keep telling me to get a Medicare Advantage plan, but my friends say stick with Original Medicare. Who should I listen to?
Answer: The plan you choose is totally your choice, not your kids, and not your friends and neighbors. Both types of plans have their advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to take the time to understand exactly how both these approaches to your healthcare work, and then you can make your own educated decision about what is best for you.
I want to get a shingles vaccine. Will Medicare cover this preventive service?
Answer: Yes, Medicare Part D, which covers your prescription medications, will cover the Shingles vaccination at no cost to you.
Can you explain what "creditable coverage" means and when it applies?
Answer: As it regards to Medicare, creditable coverage for prescription drugs means that your current coverage is as good or better than what is provided under the standard Medicare Part D benefit. And upon proof that you have had creditable coverage under your current health plan, you can delay Medicare Part D enrollment without incurring the dreaded Part D enrollment penalty.
Who can help me figure out this Medicare "maze and alphabet soup" it's so confusing.
Answer: Many people go online and spend countless hours researching 1. How to apply for Medicare, and 2., what type of plan they should get. By the time they call me, they are pretty confused.
My recommendation is, yes, continue to do your research, but do yourself a favor and work with a licensed insurance agent who understands this "Medicare maze" and can help you navigate through the murky 'alphabet soup'. An independent insurance agent who works with many companies, for both Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans, will ensure so you get the full picture of what your choices are when making these important healthcare decisions.
My friend lives in a different city and has a much more detailed Medicare plan. Is their location dependent on their plan?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plans service a specific geographic specific area - and the plans offered could have differences. So, where you live determines which plans you can enroll in. You cannot enroll in your friend's plan if you do not live in the service their plan covers.
My friend gets SilverSneakers with her plan and I don’t—how are we both paying for Medicare and getting such different stuff?
Answer: A Silver Sneakers gym membership may be included in some Medicare Supplement plans, and it can also be part of some Medicare Advantage plans. But that benefit is not uniformly offered by ALL plans. If this is important to you, be sure to ask if Silver Sneakers or other gym membership is offered as a benefit under the plan you are evaluating.
I just moved to a new state. Do I need to do anything with my Medicare coverage?
Answer: Yes. The move will open up a new enrollment period for you to change your plan, called a Special Enrollment Period. And you need to make that change within 2 months of your move date. If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan you will definitely need to shop for a new plan that covers your new address, as these plans are geographically specific. You may also have the opportunity to change to original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan. Speak to a licensed agent who can help you navigate through this process to make sure you have no gaps in coverage. And you should be able to keep your current Medicare Supplement plan as long as you remain enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. You will want to check with your insurance carrier to see if your premium will change because of the move.