Michael Ryan, Medicare Insurance Broker
Michael Ryan
Ryan and Associates
Medicare Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO, FL, ID, IN, NV, SC, TN and TX
20+ Years of Experience
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Corona, CA
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About Me
Hello! I'm Michael, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Give me a call at 951-479-1022 to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Michael Ryan
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: Work with an Advisor that can research all available plans available to you. One that will prioritize your doctors and prescription not insurance companies.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: That everything is free. Not true. There are many ways to get coverage for what Medicare doesn't cover.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: Typically no.. There will be some questions needed for underwriting some plans outside of the Guaranteed Issue windows.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Answer: Most are HMO plans that will restrict you to a provider network. The last several years there are PPO plans available in many areas that provide access to care outside of a network.
I have Original Medicare, and I'm wondering if I'd save more on my dental cleanings if I switched to a Medicare Advantage plan instead.
Answer: Quick answer is most likely. Do your research first.. Many Advantage plans have dental coverage. Coverage and benifits will vary.. I would not make dental coverage your primary focus in choosing an Advantage plan.. If one doesn't find what they need for dental care in an Advantage plan there are many stand alone plans that will.
I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?
Answer: You actually have several options. Sounds like you have a HMO Advantage plan where you live. One option would be to stay on original Medicare with a supplemental plan. That would allow you access to any provider that accepts Medicare across the country. Another option would be a PPO Medicare Advantage plan if its available in you area. Several national carriers have network providers across the nation and would also provide coverage out of network.
Why do some clients ignore your advice and end up in bad Medicare plans-what makes them resistant?
Answer: Great question.. It happens occasionally.. I represent all the major plans and focus on their doctors and prescriptions not the shiny objects that some plans offer. So I don't run into it very often.. When I do it usually has to do with an added benefit.. Example: I recommend a plan that fully covers all their docs and prescriptions. Say it has a $1500 dental benifits.. They see a plan with a $3000 benifits and they decide to go with that.. However that plan doesn't have the same coverage for doctors rxs. It's not that they got bad plan, they just end up making a decision based on that shiny object that reduced the real important coverages.
I'm on Original Medicare with no supplement, and I'm wondering how much I'd pay if I need an ambulance ride to the hospital tomorrow.
Answer: With Original Medicare and no supplement, you'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for a medically necessary ambulance ride after meeting your Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025.
Does Medicare fully cover nursing home care, and are there alternatives?
Answer: No, Medicare generally doesn't fully cover nursing home care, especially for long-term custodial care, but it may cover some skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays under specific conditions, like following a qualifying hospital stay.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Medicare's Coverage:
Medicare Part A can cover skilled nursing facility (SNF) care for a limited time (up to 100 days) if you meet certain conditions, including a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days.
Custodial Care:
Medicare typically doesn't cover custodial care, which is the type of care that helps with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating.
Skilled Nursing Care:
Medicare may cover skilled nursing care in a nursing home, or in your home (with home health care), if you need short-term skilled care for an illness or injury and you meet certain conditions.
Medicaid:
If you need long-term care and don't qualify for Medicare, you might explore Medicaid, which can help cover long-term care costs in a nursing home.
Other Options:
Consider long-term care insurance, or explore veterans benefits if applicable. There are other options available that will assist. For the most part it entails preplanning not waiting until the services are needed.
I've been on my employer's health plan but am retiring soon. What should I consider when moving to Medicare?
Answer: First and foremost enroll in both Part A and B if you havent already done so.
Make a list your important doctors and prescriptions. Contact an independant agent that works with many if not all of the carriers and different types of plans ie Med Sups, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug plans to narrow down your options for you. While you can find most of this information independently, what you wont find is the detailed information that can make a difference in your coverage. Especially in 2025 with the significant changes in ALL of the prescription drug plans. You can start the rieview and application process as early as 3 months before needing it in place...
Focus on actual care thats needed now and will happen in the future.. One of those calls I get from time to time starts with "remember that plan we talked about, I should have listened to you instead of goin out on my own" There's no cost in working with an independant agent, there could be a significant cost in not doing so..
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: Work with an independant agent that has access to all the plans..
The changes in 2025 to Part D has caused every plan to review and adjust coverage. Not every plan covers every drug in their forumulary. This was the area I spent the most time on this year for my clients to help them get the coverage needed...