Mindy Berry, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: The short answer is No. The long answer is that there are plans that if you are eligible you may have that benefit in an MAPD plan.

Answer: There are many good and comparable MAPD plans in South Carolina. The best plan for one person may not necessarily be the best for another. So you would need to compare plans to confirm the "best" plan for your needs.

Answer: It is ok to meet with multiple brokers, however most will give you the same information. another option is to attend and educational workshop to gain better understanding of Medicare.

Answer: You have a couple of options. You can file an appeal with the insurance company, you can resubmit a request from the referring doctor. If waiting could jeopardize your health, you can request an expedited appeal and the carrier has to respond within 72 hours. You can also seek alternative specialist in the network.

Answer: A local agent often knows what carriers will cover your local providers the best, they are aware of doctors and hospitals that may not accept a certain insurance plan. Most of all, you can meet face to face to really understand your next steps and get personalized service.

Answer: The Plan or carrier that a client selects pays commission to the agent. The commissions for plans are the same with each carrier and really don't play into an agent picking one plan over another. An experienced agent will keep the needs of his client at the top of the list of reasons to help the client make the best decision.

Answer: No agent should be "pushing" one plan over the other. An agents responsibility is to explain both plans with their advantages and disadvantages to the consumer and from there an individual should take this information and make their decision as to which option fits their health care needs. When a client is looking for the best value that includes Dental, Vision, etc. quite often it is the advantage plan that hits those benefits and makes the best option for great health care.

Answer: Medicare is a government sponsored program through the Social Security department, Medicare supplement plans are commercial products and not managed by the government. Again, this is why it is important to work with an experience Medicare agent to make sure that you have all the information that you need to make an informed decision.

Answer: You can verify by looking at their Summary of benefits and confirming that you qualify for the plan you are interested in. Plans can vary by county and also by whether or not you have additional coverage with Medicaid or a chronic condition.

Answer: You are not required to sign up for Medicare if you have creditable coverage with your employer health coverage. When you decide to move to Medicare or when you retire, you will need to have a form signed by your employer stating that you have been insured since turning 65 years of age. It is however, a good idea to compare your employer coverage with Medicare to see which plan is better for you and your lifestyle.

Answer: Although you are not required to have Medicare parts A and B to utilize your VA health benefits, without Medicare you are limited to using VA facilities and the providers that they approve. Having Medicare parts A and B along with a Medicare Advantage plan, allows you the freedom to have both VA benefits and the ability to use outside providers. Some Advantage plans are made specifically for service members and can often give you money back towards your Part B premium as well.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are paid by CMS ( Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services). The idea that these private Advantage plans can manage your health care and offer benefits that meet your needs.

Answer: There are several reasons to work with an experience Medicare agent. First, every year there are changes to Medicare and for the average person, this can be overwhelming and can actually cost you money and time if you make the wrong decisions. Second, reviewing your Medical needs and current plan is important to do each year and with an agent should take a minimal amount of time, doing this by yourself can be frustrating and can lead to coverage issues. third, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have made a good choice for your healthcare needs after speaking with an expert.