Mitchell Jerome, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Depends on the circumstances. Medicare Supplements can be changed anytime of the year but you must "qualify" by properly answering the health questions. It's not a guarantee they will accept you. Medicare Advantage plans generally are accepting applications during the Annual Election Period Oct 15-Dec 7. Then from Jan 1-March 31 people with Advantage plans can make another change if necessary [MAOP]. Then there are Special Election periods [SEP] during the year for people with Chronic conditions, Dual eligibles (Medicare-Medicaid) and Institutional situations. Yes it is overwhelming to shift through all this; so get an agent to help you so as not to make the wrong choice.

Answer: Once you retire, you can use your health savings account to pay for some of the Medicare premiums and expenses. You will no longer be able to contribute to your HSA account once you retire but now it’s time to use the money and it will be tax-free as long as you use it for acceptable medical needs. You can use it to pay your Medicare part B premium your Medicare part D drug coverage premium you can use it to pay your Medicare part C advantage plans, but you cannot use it to pay your Medicare supplement premium.

Answer: Yes. The IRMMA surcharge began in 2007 and focuses on higher income enrollees. They go back the past two years of income.

Once One retires that income can decrease since the two year window will continually be changing.

Answer: The Medicare prescription drug plan is quite complicated. Often times these Discount cards or alternative sites-Good Rx can be very beneficial in getting your medicines at a better price than what Medicare‘s drug plans offer. Having multiple options is very important for that reason.

Answer: The plans are designed by the government and marketed through the private insurance companies. Each company has different underwriting rules. You may be rejected by one company yet accepted by another so the company that takes you is the one I like. There are too many good companies to list. I like working with AM Best “A” rated companies.

Answer: Absolutely not! You have a huge deductible and incur very high finanacial risk. Get a Supplement or Advantage plan.

Answer: Yes eye exams are covered and so are diseases of the eye. Best to have a Supplement or Advantage plan thereby having full coverages without gaps.

Answer: These are unfortunate situations that could've been avoided if they had reached out to an agent upon getting on Medicare. Knowledge is powerful and some people bypass the free counseling that an experienced agent can provide... then it costs them in the end... sometimes for life! These are penalties for generally late enrollment.

Answer: Yes if you're outside of the open enrollment period (ie turning 65 and picking up Medicare A B) then you have to address health questions. There are some exceptions to the rule that might qualify you for a Guaranteed Issue position and bypassing the questions.

Answer: I don't believe AI will replace agents wisdom and years of experience... most people want to talk to a human being not a computer.

Answer: Many times I've helped clients through complicated issues and generally it's around their medications. I can calculate to the penny what their costs will be. I can help them get onto Patient assistance programs when appropriate.

Answer: As an independent agent representing a plethora of companies I can hone in on the best health & drug plans matching their particulars. They know that I'm working in behalf of their best interests and manuevering through very complicated material to get them the strongest plans. Very rewarding for me after 23 years in business to hear the gratefulness from my clients.