Mitch Anderson, Medicare Insurance Agent
Mitch Anderson
Prime Time Health Advisors
Medicare Agent Licensed in MN, IA and WI
Contact Details
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Location
Rochester, MN
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Phone
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Website
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Mitch Can Help With:
About Me
Serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa as your Prime source for plans that work with Medicare.
Q&A with Mitch Anderson
What's one Medicare decision that too many people regret later?
Answer: Too many people try to find the best "deal". There is no best deal, this is a long term decision and requires a thoughtful conversation to make a good decision.
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: I start by explaining how Medicare works and how the pieces fit together. Then I illustrate the similarities and differences between options. This helps to create a package of personalized solutions, not just a list of plan options.
I just started on Medicare Part D, and I'm confused about whether my new cholesterol medication counts toward my coverage gap. Can you explain?
Answer: Each Part D plan has their own specific formulary (list of covered medications). There are also deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that factors in. It is very likely that your cholesterol medication counts towards your coverage gap but is much more complicated than yes or no. We need to know what cholesterol medication, the dosage, and plan that you are enrolled in to give a solid answer.
Why do some clients ignore your advice and end up in bad Medicare plans-what makes them resistant?
Answer: Sometimes clients may think that my advice is based on a motivation to sell them something. This could not be further from the truth. My goal is to educate and translate Medicare into something that makes sense and help people find the plan that best fits their individual needs. There is no single plan that works for everyone.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: I enjoy helping to educate and problem solve. Medicare can seem overly complicated and I enjoy trying to simplify the process and and help people find solutions that solve their specific and individual needs.
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
Answer: The short answer is "yes". Generally, when someone loses employer coverage they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows them to get into a Medicare plan with no questions asked. The qualifier is that the employer coverage is "creditable". This means that the employer coverage is at least as good as Medicare's coverage. This information is provided by the group insurance provider and your human resources director should be able to answer this question for you.
My plan covered my cataract surgery but not the lenses I actually needed-how do they get away with that?
Answer: Medicare approves the surgery and lenses that are directly related to the medically necessary repair of the cataract. Unfortunately, Medicare (and subsequently your plan), does not consider advanced lenses used to correct conditions like astigmatism and nearsightedness as medically necessary, this is considered elective.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: Generally the answer is "yes". If you want to switch from one Medigap plan to another you would be required to answer health questions (medical underwriting) on the application. Some states, California for example, have a "birthday rule" that allows you to change plans annually around your birthday without underwriting requirements.
Who can help me figure out this Medicare "maze and alphabet soup" it's so confusing.
Answer: Yes but it is complicated. Part A and Part B are called Original Medicare and come from the government. Part A is hospital (inpatient) coverage and Part B is medical (outpatient coverage). Part A and B offer comprehensive coverage for medical care but they do have gaps. Ex. - Part A has a per benefit period deductible, Part B has an annual deductible as well as an uncapped (unlimited) risk for medical expense and neither Part A nor Part B provide prescription coverage for meds normally picked up at the pharmacy. To fill these gaps, a person eligible for Medicare would normally choose either a Medicare supplement plus a Part D prescription plan or a Part C Medicare Advantage plan which includes Part D prescription coverage. Choosing the right path to fill in the gaps is where it becomes very important for you to consult with an independent health insurance agent. We work with you to help you choose the path and plan that fit your individual needs.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: The most common misconception people have about Medicare is that Medicare covers all of their health care needs and that it is free. Unfortunately, Medicare Part B is not free, there is a per month premium that is based in part by your income. There are also gaps in coverage with Original Medicare. Ex. - Part A has a per benefit period deductible, Part B has an annual deductible and uncapped (unlimited) exposure for medical costs. There is also no coverage from Original Medicare for prescriptions that are normally picked up at a pharmacy.