Michael Pane, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: You can review the Medicare Advantage plan's provider network on the carrier's website to see if her providers participate in network.

Answer: If you have either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan, the first 20 days of being in a Skilled Nursing Facility will not have a co-pay or co-insurance.

After days 21-100, you will have a co-pay on Original Medicare of $217/day.

Medicare Advantage plans are similar to this cost also.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (or known as Medigap), different plan letters will cover days 21-100 in full.

After 100 days, you are responsible for full cost-share. If your skilled nursing facility stay requires you to move to a long-term care facility, Medicare DOES NOT cover long-term care. Usually, that will fall under private pay or your state's institutional Medicaid qualifications to pay for long-term care.

Answer: You do have the opportunity to have another Initial Coverage Enrollment Period (ICEP for Medicare Advantage) or an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Part D Prescription Drug plans.

You can enroll once again in the same plan you have, enroll in a new plan, or choose to participate in a Medicare Supplement plan.

Answer: Depending on the carrier you are currently enrolled in for Medicare Advantage plans, they may offer what's called a traveler benefit in situations. You can go up to either 181 days or 12 months from your home and have in-network services provided.

Additionally, look at what type of network you are plan is participating in. An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) network typically does not provide for out-of-network benefits unless an Emergency Room or Urgent Care Visit. If the visit is an emergent need of life and death, your provider will work with your carrier through their processes. With this scenario, you may be responsible for a majority or all the costs of care.

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) that has in-network and out-of-network benefits. Only caveat to a PPO is the provider may not be in network with your plan and may or may not decide to participate out-of-network leaving you to either pay higher cost-sharing or all the out-of-pocket costs.

Another option would be a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan that does not have a network.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are typically available by zip code and carrier. Annually, Medicare Advantage plans place a bid with the Federal Government (CMS) to offer plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans provide lower annual out of pocket costs for a higher monthly premium. $0 monthly premium may not be the most suitable for you based upon your specific needs.

Medicare Supplements or Medigap plans can be attained age or community rated premium wise.

Answer: No. Medicare Supplements are known as Medigap plans as they fill the 20% responsibility you may have to come out of pocket for with Original Medicare.

Look at additional coverages such as Hospital, Critical Illness, or Cancer coverage to help fill in the holes or loss of income.

Answer: Check the provider network to see if the specialists participate.

Review the plan's Part D formulary to see if prescriptions are in there.

Ask your specialist for a care plan. Work with your plan to assist in no surprises when it comes to out-of-pocket expenses.

If you live in a state that has Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplements, investigate the cost of enrollment versus staying with a Medicare Advantage plan.

Answer: You can apply for a few things: Low-Income Subsidies or known as Extra Help through Social Security.

Second, you may be in a state that has a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.

Third there's the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P). M3P allows that the costs of prescription co-pays be spread over the calendar year.

Finally, if you qualify based on income, you can apply for Medicaid in your state.

Answer: Medicare's technology does have some catching up to do. The innovations made with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its capabilities will make Medicare and CMS take a hard look at moving towards real-time data.

Answer: It is helpful to speak with your parents about their experience with Medicare and how they feel about the guidance they received from a broker or government agency.

Answer: Hospice Care and Ambulance Rides. Many people do not know that Emergency Medical Transportation is covered under Original Medicare. Additionally, Hospice Care for End-of Life is covered under Part A.

Answer: I love the opportunity to solve the problems that most mature adults face. Health care is extremely important for all people, potentially costly for their retirement, and navigating a complex, not so easy process where average people don't understand.

Being a Medicare agent allows me to bring the information down to a level that is compassionate, empathetic, and give people a common denominator that solves their concerns.