MoniKea Hatten, Medicare Insurance Agent
MoniKea Hatten
The Robinson Insurance Group
Medicare Agent Licensed in IL, AZ, CO, IN, KS, TX and WI
Contact Details
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Location
Westchester, IL
MoniKea Can Help With:
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplement
- Prescription Drug
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plans
- Hearing Plans
- Individual / Family Plans
- Group Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Final Expense Insurance
- Critical Illness
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Short Term Care Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Annuities
About Me
Hey there, my name is MoniKea, and I am your local Medicare advisor and broker/agent. You have questions and I have answers. Well versed in the complicated maze of Medicare and am devoted to helping you navigate that maze by assisting in a needs analysis, reassessing what you want most from your insurance provider, finding the best possible plan that matches your specific needs and financial situation. I am thrilled to cut time in half by tackling the daunting task of comparing plans from well-known national and local companies for you. Even better, my services are completely free to you! Contact me today to explore your Medicare options, and be sure to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with MoniKea Hatten
What is the Medicare Advantage (Part C) Open Enrollment period?
Answer: The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is a specific window of time each year that allows beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan to switch or drop their plan.
It is distinct from the fall Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) because you generally cannot use this time to join a Medicare Advantage plan if you are currently on Original Medicare.
Dates
January 1 – March 31 every year.
Who Can Use It?
This period is strictly for individuals who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan as of January 1.
What Changes Can You Make?
During this window, you are allowed to make one change to your coverage. The new coverage typically begins the first day of the month after you make the request.
You can:
Switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.
Join a separate Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) if you return to Original Medicare.
What You Cannot Do
You cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
You cannot switch from one standalone Part D prescription drug plan to another.
Does Medicare part A and B cover urgent care office visits?
Answer: Yes, urgent care visits are covered, but they are covered specifically by Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), not Part A.
Here is the breakdown of how coverage and costs work for 2025:
Part B Covers the Visit: Medicare Part B covers urgent care visits for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries (like a flu, small wound, or earache) that require immediate attention.
Part A Does Not Apply: Part A generally only covers inpatient hospital stays. Unless you are transferred from urgent care and admitted directly into a hospital as an inpatient, Part A will not pay for the visit.
Your Costs for Urgent Care (in 2025)
If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you will pay the following for an urgent care visit:
Part B Deductible: You must pay the first $257 of medical costs for the year (if you haven't met this deductible yet).
Coinsurance (20%): Once the deductible is met, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the visit and any services received (like X-rays or stitches).
Copayment: You may also be charged a fixed copayment depending on the specific facility's rules and if the visit takes place in a hospital outpatient setting.
Important Note: To avoid higher costs, you should verify that the urgent care center accepts Medicare assignment. If they do not, they may charge you up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount (known as an "excess charge").
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Medicare is incredibly complex, and a TRUSTED REPUTABLE local agent acts as your personal navigator to prevent costly mistakes, all at no cost to you. Agents are State-Licensed, and transcend more than just sales, but act as guidance counselors. We are deeply rooted in the community and driven by a purpose to serve, ensuring you understand your benefits fully rather than just being sold a plan.
What's the cheapest way to get Medicare coverage if I only need basic hospital care?
Answer: If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters (about 10 years), you can enroll in just Medicare Part A for $0 per month to cover inpatient hospital costs. Just be aware that declining Part B leaves you with no coverage for doctor visits and can result in lifetime late-enrollment penalties down the road.
My Advantage plan says I need a referral just to see a dermatologist. I thought PPOs didn't require that - was I wrong?
Answer: Typically, one of the main benefits of a PPO is the freedom to see specialists without a referral, so you are right to be questioning this. I recommend verifying your plan type on your card, as sometimes people are unknowingly enrolled in an HMO-POS which can have stricter rules. Also, make sure the doctor isn't asking for 'Prior Authorization' for a treatment, which is often confused with a referral for an office visit.