Mary Salmon, Medicare Insurance Broker
Mary Salmon
Mary Salmon Insurance
Medicare Broker Licensed in TX and OK
23+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Whitewright, TX
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About Me
I’ve been in the insurance industry since 2002. I am a certified Medicare agent dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of Medicare. I specialize with the transition to Medicare, whether a person is turning 65 or retiring from employer group coverage.
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Q&A with Mary Salmon
How might artificial intelligence change how Medicare approves claims in the future?
Answer: AI can possible streamline claims process by automatically reviewing the claim information and verifying benefits. This could cut down on the time it takes to process a claim. It can also help in fraud prevention by verifying the services billed match the patient’s medical condition and available treatment options.
What advice would you give to seniors who are feeling overwhelmed by all the Medicare options available?
Answer: Medicare can be very overwhelming. It’s a lot of information. I suggest you reach out to a certified licensed Medicare agent to help simplify the process and help guide you on the options that most suit your needs.
My plan covered my cataract surgery but not the lenses I actually needed-how do they get away with that?
Answer: Medicare covers cataract surgery, including the removal of the cataract and basic lenses. However, special lenses are considered elective and not covered by Medicare.
I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B. Why is something so basic so hard to figure out?
Answer: If you are still working for an employer with at least 20 employees and have employer group health insurance, you can postpone part B. I recommend that you get part a while still employed and then enroll in part B when you retire. It is important to speak with a Medicare specialist to determine if your employer group coverage is considered creditable.
I'm taking a brand-name medication that doesn't have a generic version. How can I find a Medicare Part D plan that will cover it at a reasonable cost?
Answer: It is best to use a Medicare plan finder such as on the medicare.gov website. These tools can help you compare plans based on your particular prescription drugs so you can shop based on co-pay costs. You can also visit with a licensed Medicare agent to help with the process.
I live in California but might move to another state next year. How will my Medicare coverage change if I relocate?
Answer: Medicare plans are based on location, specifically ZIP Codes. Not all plans are available in all ZIP Codes. So when you move from one county to another county or one state to another state, it is very important that you speak with a licensed agent to find a plan in your new ZIP Code.
Is Guaranteed Issue available after the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends?
Answer: Once a person is past their Medicare open enrollment for a Medicare supplement, guaranteed issue is no longer available. The only exception to this is if they were enrolled in an Advantage plan and the carrier pulled the plan from the market. At that point the beneficiary has a guaranteed issue to go back to Original Medicare and enroll in a supplement.
If a beneficiary decides to enroll in an Advantage plan, those plans are guaranteed issue during Annual Enrollment Period Oct 15-Dec 7 each year for a January 1 effective date.
I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?
Answer: The most common enrollment period is Annual Enrollment Period which runs from Oct 15-Dec 7 every year. This is when Medicare beneficiaries can review their Medicare Advantage plans and make changes for the upcoming calendar year. The second enrollment period is called Open Enrollment Period which runs Jan 1-Mar 31 every year and is when beneficiaries with a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
Is Medicare becoming more expensive over time, and will it ever be unsustainable?
Answer: Yes, the costs for Medicare increase every year. As more and more people get older and age into Medicare, healthcare costs also increase. It is a valid concern that Medicare costs are growing at an unsustainable rate.
I'm participating in a clinical trial for a new cancer treatment that uses personalized medicine based on my genetic profile. How does Medicare coverage work in this situation?
Answer: Medicare covers medically necessary and approved treatments. ACA requires that health insurance cover routine patient care costs for people who are in approved clinical trials. However, Medicare does not cover experimental treatments that are not part of the clinical trial. So there could be gaps in your Medicare coverage. Having a supplemental cancer policy is helpful in this situation.