Nicholas Ryckert, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Coverage depends on your Medicare plan. If you have Original Medicare and the screenings are approved, Medicare typically pays about 80% of the cost. If you also have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it may cover the remaining amount based on your specific plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, prior authorization or step therapy requirements may apply.

Answer: Original Medicare is a good option for U.S. travel, as it's accepted nationwide—useful for those with multiple homes or who travel seasonally. Please Note - Original Medicare doesn't cover everything; expect significant copays for Part A hospital expenses and about 20% of costs for Part B services with no out-of-pocket limits. Medicare Advantage plans have maximum limits to reduce the out-of-pocket risk. While Medicare works throughout the U.S., it rarely covers care abroad. Consider Medigap or travel insurance to supplement coverage when traveling internationally.

Answer: Medigap plans C/D, F/G, M, and N cover foreign travel emergencies. These plans typically reimburse 80% of emergency medical costs incurred outside the U.S., with a $250 annual deductible and a $50,000 lifetime maximum benefit.

Answer: Options for reducing medication costs:

If you are a low-income Medicare beneficiary, consider applying for "Extra Help" to see if you qualify for reduced medication costs.

Look into manufacturer patient assistance programs (PAPs) that may offer free or discounted medicines.

Explore grants or assistance through the Patient Access Network (PAN) from the Patient Advocate Foundation.

Use savings programs like GoodRx, SingleCare, or Cost Plus Drugs to get discounts on prescriptions.

Check if your medication is available at lower prices via Canadian pharmacies such as PharmacyChecker.

Always ask your doctor about generic options and 90-day supplies to save money.

Answer: Medicare Part B represents the second component of original Medicare. It provides coverage for healthcare services received outside of a hospital environment, such as laboratory analyses, X-rays, diagnostic procedures, medical equipment,. It also covers physician fees. Typically, Medicare Part B covers 80% of eligible charges after the annual deductible is met. Beneficiaries are responsible for the remaining 20%, in addition to the monthly Part B premium. Please note that there is no Out-of-Pocket Maximum.

Answer: Yes, you can get a guaranteed issue Medicgap plan if you lose your employer coverage. You will have to submit a letter from the company that confirms your loss of coverage.

Answer: Up to $10,000 of burial expenses can be excluded form the income calculation. There are several items outlined on the Georgia Medicaid website with specific details. You can use this link to find the details : https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dfcs/medicaid/2312/

Answer: In general Medicare will not pay for dental implants or any other general dentistry. Medicare might cover dental services if they are inextricably linked to a covered, necessary medical procedure, such as an oral exam required before a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement.

Answer: Fitness benefits are not covered by Medicare Parts A & B.

Fitness benefits are additional benefits provided in most Medicare Advantage plans. Each company that offers this kind of coverage may use Silver Sneakers or another fitness program. They also might provide reimbursement for enrolling in a health club. It depends on your plan.

Answer: Most Medicare Advantage plans offer some dental/vision coverage. They may require you to see a limited list of Network providers, or they may reimburse you regardless of the dentist you use. It depends on the particular plan.

If you are on original Medicare or Medicare with a Medigap plan you will need to purchase an additional Dental / Vision policy. These plans range from $35/mo to $85/mo depending on where you live and the coverage they provide.

Answer: This is a tough question. The answer is MAYBE NOT!

It depends on where you live, what other options are available, your current health situation, your current financial situation, are you still travelling, and more. In general, if you have serious health issues a Medigap plan will likely be the best option for you. If you are generally healthy and are willing to give up the ability to see any provider without referrals or pre-authorizations a Medicare Advantage plan may be a less expensive option.

Answer: IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra, mandatory surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income beneficiaries, determined by the Social Security Administration. It is based on your tax return from two years prior. If your adjusted gross income is over $109,000 (Single) $218,000 (Married) you are subject to higher rates.

Answer: Look for notices from you Insurance Company about plan changes. Insurance companies are required to send Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) documents to you in late Sept and early October that outline changes to your plan. If you are not happy with the changes you will need to seek help to find another plan. If you have a reputable agent they should be contacting you. If not ... seek help using sites like this.

Answer: Yes you can meet as many Brokers or Agents as you would like to seek help. A reputable Medicare Broker or Agent will not charge you for this service. Ensure they are licensed in your state, focus specifically on Medicare, and represent multiple Medicare Insurance companies.. Find someone who listens, understands your needs and explains things clearly.

Answer: Whether you’re covered depends on your specific Medicare plan. There are two main types of HMO Medicare Advantage plans: HMO and HMO-POS.

If you have an HMO plan and visit a doctor outside your network, you’ll have to pay all costs yourself—unless it’s an emergency or urgent care situation.

With an HMO-POS plan, your primary care provider can sometimes refer you to an out-of-network cardiologist, and in that case, your plan may cover the cost.

Answer: A common Medicare mistake is skipping the Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan initial guaranteed issue window. Missing this can mean denial of coverage later or facing medical underwriting, leading to higher costs and fewer provider options.

Answer: Medicare does face significant challenges as the baby boomer generation continues to age into the system. With millions of Americans becoming eligible for Medicare, the program is experiencing increased enrollment and rising costs.

This growing demand puts financial pressure on Medicare's trust funds, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. We need our policymakers and elected officials to actively engage in developing reforms to ensure Medicare can continue providing coverage for future generations.