Michelle Turner, Medicare Insurance Agent
About Me
Hi, I'm Michelle. I believe that turning 65 should be a time for celebration, not a headache caused by confusing insurance jargon. As a licensed Medicare specialist, my mission is to act as your personal guide, stripping away the complexity to find a plan that actually fits your health needs and budget. I pride myself on listening first, ensuring you feel confident and secure in your choices, not just sold a policy."
Q&A with Michelle Turner
Does Medicare Advantage cover home health care?
Answer: Some health care advantage plans cover home health care. They may come with copays and certain authorizations and guidelines may have to be met for it to be covered by your plan.
I picked the plan with the lowest premium, but now every doctor visit feels like a surprise bill. Should I have gone with a higher premium instead?
Answer: It depends on your situation. Plans with lower premiums comes with higher deductibles. The higher premium plans would have saved you money with routine visits if it involved lower co pays or waived deductibles. Consider picking a plan based on how often you need to use your health plan in the future. Review your explanation of benefits and be sure to stay with doctors within your network to prevent any surprise bills later.
What Medicare penalties are most common?
Answer: The penalties when you don't pick up part b Medicare when you were first eligible and going 63 days or more without having creditable coverage.
Can you explain Special Needs Plans in Medicare?
Answer: There are special needs plans (csnp) that are based on health situations and the other one based on if you qualify for the Medicare savings program(Medicaid). The health based plan offers additional benefits to help with your health condition and you may get extra benefits than you would with a regular plan. Your doctor would have to fill out documents to the plan to show you meet the health criteria for the specific health condition plan. The (dsnp) plan is based on which Medicaid plans coordinate with the Medicare advantage plan. This can help with the part b premium and copays and come with additional benefits like extra OTC and help with food or a bill it varies by state and the plan.
What are the most overhyped benefits of Medicare Advantage plans that seniors should be wary of?
Answer: The most over-hyped benefits are vision allowances, rich dental benefits,OTC,0$ premium plans and food allowance. There are catches to these programs with rules and getting approved for the plans that may offer some good perks varies by person certain guidelines and rules has to be met to qualify for those benefits and plans.
Can I be denied for a Medicare Supplement plan?
Answer: Yes it can be based on risk factors, applying outside of your initial enrollment period and when you don't have guaranteed issue rights.
How do you stay up to date with changes in Medicare policies and plan options each year?
Answer: Your plan will send you updates via mail or email with the plan changes. You can stay up to date by checking your plans website reaching out to your agent to find out about changes. Also Medicare.gov is a good resource to stay up to date with Medicare changes.
How can I lower my Medicare Part B premium if my income drops after retirement?
Answer: Check to see if you're eligible for the Medicare savings program. You can apply for Medicaid with your state to see if you qualify to get help with paying your part b premium. You can also file an IRMAA appeal if your income is dropped. Check out the part b give back plans to help get some of your part b premium back into your pocket.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: It's better to work with a medicare agent due to health care changes all the time. Medicare can be confusing and there are certain rules and guidelines you may not understand. Working with an agent will help eliminate any confusion and provide additional support to ensure you choose the right plan to support your health care needs.
Have you ever encountered a situation where a healthcare power of attorney made a significant difference? What guidance would you offer to someone thinking about setting one up?
Answer: Yes I have encountered this situation. It can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming when it comes to making healthcare insurance and health decisions. It made a huge difference as my client was not capable of making their own health care decisions. You're trusting someone else to help with those decisions when you have a health care power of attorney. If your considering getting a healthcare power of attorney its best to contact resources such as the aging department or the community line for your state to help you to with establishing a health care power of attorney.