Nancy Suozzi-Vidal, Medicare Insurance Broker
About Me
Brings 20 years of experience with intricate client-case benefit resolutions, medical billing operations knowledge, teaching experience along with her high-energy commitment to the consumer.
Not only do I help you easily navigate thru the Medicare enrollment process, but I also provide you with valuable information based on your needs in order for you to make the right decision about your healthcare plan.
I continue to be by your side during your journey after enrollment. I am your go-to resource for understanding and maximizing your plan benefits, provider contract issues, understanding claims, etc. I often review client bills to determine if accurate, educate and always advocate for my clients.
No one has a crystal ball. Should your health conditions change, I get to work on re-evaluating your options and advise accordingly.
Please visit my website www.MedicarePlanSolutionsUSA.com and read client testimonials.
Q&A with Nancy Suozzi-Vidal
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: Meeting amazing, unique people everyday and being able to give back by offering my assistance, expertise in a confusing yet very important subject matter
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: You still want to try to secure a plan that has most or all of your preferred providers participating. A PPO plan will give you the option to see a nonpar doctor should that need arise. There is an added cost, however, if that situation arises with an HMO, you will be responsible for 100% for the nonpar provider.
How does Medicare handle coverage for experimental treatments or clinical trials?
Answer: Routine services that would normally be covered under Medicare may be covered for participation in a clinical trial. But, clinical trial services and experimental treatment will not be covered. Any covered services would most likely be subject to prior approval. Likewise, your OOP responsibility would apply for covered services. Your provider should work with Medicare or other Medicare plan coverage carrier regarding specific criteria to actually participate. I also recommend the patient discuss with a carrier nurse to determine any patient responsibilities.
My doctor mentioned something about Medicare not covering my procedure. How do I find out for sure before I get stuck with a bill?
Answer: Determine why the doctor is stating this… typically certain criteria need to be met; prior authorization typically required so you can know in advance if approved or not;
If Medicare is primary, get specific procedure codes from provider’s biller and contact Medicare;
If Medicare Advantage, you can discuss with your carrier reason for denial and determine what further info needs to be submitted by your doctor
How could a universal healthcare debate shift Medicare's structure in the next decade?
Answer: First we need to define universal. Are we debating within the US or worldwide?
In the US, we already have socialized medical programs, Medicare and Medicaid. These specialized programs in the US do not exist/are not recognized in other countries. Personally, I do not think a world-wide healthcare system could support the increased aging population and access to qualified providers which can have extreme differences - even just different areas of the US - let alone across the globe.
We often learn, for example, when provider organizations continue to grow, they get too large and our no longer able to service their population effectively. Eventually, these overgrown establishments need to decentralize and/or, more likely, down size. Same with healthcare in general.
The US healthcare system is very complex. I think a very important aspect of reducing cost is simplification. My thought is that we have socialized medical programs that have existed for decades but have not been updated to our current healthcare needs. So we have been putting band-aids in place creating loads of exceptions. Instead of spending trillions of dollars trying to reinvent the wheel, how about spending less money to continually improve the programs we have? Simplifying , reducing fraud, waste, abuse allows for funding to be applied for what is was originally planned. This also reduces funding of duplicate programs that are still not accomplishing their original directive.
It could well be possible, with the right minds involved, to create some sort of universal general healthcare coverage, with the hope of a simple, ease-to-understand option.
Certainly Medicare which is currently in the US based on collection of FICA in most cases, would drastically change if looking at Universal. There has been talk within the USA to have Medicare for all. In the later case, still significant changes. Before we take on universal, I think we have a lot of work to provide much better healthcare here
I am on disability insurance Medicare now I will be 65 in October do I have to to sign up for Medicare again?
Answer: No you do not need to reenroll in Medicare. You will automatically transition to age-based Medicare. You do have a new enrollment period available to you for Medicare plans. Typically your disability will change to social security benefits.