Michael Kim, Medicare Insurance Agent
Michael Kim
Berwick Insurance Group
Medicare Agent Licensed in NV, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, KS, MI, MO, NC, NE, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA and WA
Contact Details
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Location
Henderson, NV
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Phone
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Website
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LinkedIn
Michael Can Help With:
About Me
After earning my degree in computer design from Platt College, I worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. My experience includes two years as a Help Desk representative and over eight years as an ICA for UnitedHealthcare, while also working full-time as an Account Manager for Commercial Insurance. I specialize in Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans, as well as stand-alone Dental Plans.
I offer all major carriers' plans and provide quality customer service to my clients. My favorite part of the job is enrolling clients in the most suitable plan for them and explaining everything in a manner they can understand.
As a Korean-American, I came to the United States when I was five years old and later served in the US Army 82nd Airborne division as a paratrooper after becoming a proud citizen of the US. I currently reside in Henderson, Nevada, where I enjoy working out, staying fit, and traveling to different parts of the US and other countries. My favorite vacation was to Thailand, and I plan on visiting there again soon.
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Michael Kim
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
Answer: They listen to their family members or neighbors instead of talking to an insurance broker. Insurance brokers like me don't charge for my services and I am contracted with most mayor carriers so why not talk to a Medicare Insurance Broker like myself?
Can you describe a time when you helped a client navigate a complex Medicare issue?
Answer: Just yesterday a client of mine thought just because he enrolled into Medicare Part A and Part B that he had everything and he no longer had a penalty charge. I explained to him that he had to enroll into a plan like a Medicare Advantage Plan that covered a prescription drugs to not get a penalty charge. So he really did thank me for that and now he is one of my clients under my Book of My Business.
Why might Original Medicare with a Part D plan be better than a Medicare Advantage plan for frequent travelers?
Answer: You might want to have a Medicare Supplement Plan along with a Stand Alone Part D plan so you don't have any limitations. Meaning you can go anywhere see any doctors as long as they accept Medicare. You will have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare Supplement Plan along with your Stand Alone Part D Drug Plan. Which I can go over that with you based on your age, gender, county, and state.
What’s the most misleading Medicare Advantage ad you’ve seen, and how do you explain the reality to clients?
Answer: Medicare Advantage Plans don't cover your hospital stays or surgeries. These are just fails and misleading.
Why is the new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for drug costs important?
Answer: Because now, if you have Tier 3 drugs that your taking you won't have anymore coverage gaps. So if you have 2 or more Tier 3 drugs, you won't have to meet the coverage gap when the retail price of your drugs reach 5,080, then you would have t o pay 25% for the cost of your Tier 3 drugs until the retail price of your drugs reached 8,000 and some change to reach the catastrophic coverage, at that point you would pay $0 cost for the rest of the year for your Tier 3 drugs. But not as of 2025 the threshold is only 2,000 and the coverage gap has been eliminated for 2025. Which saves people who have 2 or more Tier 3 drugs alot of money.
Is paying for a high-end Medicare Supplement plan really worth it, or is it overkill?
Answer: It is worth it for those who have many health issues who need to be able to see specialist without having to in a network, or paying copays.
Or for the person who travels alot and wants the flexibility to be able to see doctors in all 50 states without being in a network.
So it all depends on the person and their personal needs and wants.
Will I be penalized if I do not enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
Answer: That depends on if your going to continue to work, and if you have insurance through your company then no you will not be penalized. But if you do turn 65 and you have no insurance coverage then yes you will be penalized, but you have 6 months three months prior, 3 months after your birthday.
How can I lower my Medicare Part B premium if my income drops after retirement?
Answer: Call Social Security office and let them know. Or just walk in with proof like you income tax papers, or anything else showing a drop in your income.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids, or do I have to pay out of pocket?
Answer: No. You would have to pay out of pocket, but the good thing is you have enroll into a Medicare Advantage Plan that does cover hearing aids and most Medicare Advantage Plans have a $0 Monthly Premium.
I’m retiring next year—do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
Answer: Yes. You would need to call Social Security to schedule a call to sign up for your SS benefits along with your Medicare Part A and Part B.
Do Medicare Advantage plans really save seniors money in the long run? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. Because Medicare Advantage Plans do not have monthly premiums, they cover medical, prescriptions, dental, hearing, vision, and other benefits.
Is Medicare’s coverage for cataract surgery enough, or do seniors still face high out-of-pocket costs?
Answer: That depends on the person. Most cataract surgery is simple and the cost is covered by most Medicare Advantage Plans.
What do seniors often misunderstand about Medicare’s coverage for long-term care?
Answer: They think it's a senior living center. No it's a long term care meaning after you had surgery you are going into a long term care to get healed and get better. You will come out eventually, you will not live there indefinitely.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Answer: That there are networks of doctors you will have to deal with. Meaning you have a network of doctors and specialist to choose from. So sometimes clients want a particular doctor or specialist and they might not be in the network.
In that case they can also choose a PPO plan but they will pay a higher cost for the copays for the doctors not being in the network.
So the other options is to go with a Supplement Plans, but not all qualify.
Does Medicare cover health care services on a cruise ship?
Answer: Yes. Just like being on land or any where else. But it might be better to have a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
What does Medicare Part B cover? Is it enough?
Answer: Part B covers doctor visits, tests, outpatient services, preventive care, and medical equipment and supplies.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: Only is states that don't have the Birthday rules. Where you can just change your supplemental plans in the month of your birthday.
How can I get dental and vision coverage with Medicare?
Answer: No. You would have to enroll into a Medicare Advantage Plans that have Dental, Vision, and hearing benefits.
How do Social Security and Medicare work together for people with disabilities?
Answer: They offer plans like Chronic condition working with people that have disabilities who have Medicaid and Medicare. These plans were specifically designed for disabled bodied people in mind.
Why is it helpful to follow up with your parents after discussing Medicare?
Answer: Maybe to see if your parents are aware of all the benefits out there for people who have Medicare? Maybe they might not be on the best plan for there needs? If not, I could go over the best options for them, and suggest better options.