Nikki Cortinas, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: A common misconception about Medicare is that you must be retiring and collecting social security to enroll. Medicare and Social Security are separate programs. You can enroll in Medicare without starting your Social Security benefits.

Answer: This is why working with a local health insurance agent is so important. We can review your doctors, medications, and any other healthcare needs to help ensure they are covered by your plan. Medicare Advantage plans can offer more benefits and help keep cost low but provider coverage and benefits change yearly. Make sure to review your plan yearly to make sure your needs are covered year over year.

Answer: Yes and no. It depends on a few things, such as what Medicare you have, is the blood test medically necessary, and if it is being ordered by your PCP. Having an established primary care doctor ensures you are getting medically needed blood tests that will be covered by Medicare, no matter which Medicare route you decide to chose.

Answer: You can locate this information in your summary of benefits. You can access this through your member portal or the booklet that was mailed out to you. Another option is calling member services, the number is on the back of your card, to have a representative look up your hearing aid benefits based off your specific MA plan.

Answer: Once a year minimal is a great start, but I recommend my clients reach out with any changes in their doctors, medications, losing coverage, employment changes, new diagnosis, moving out of service area, or situation changes to ensure you are still on the best plan that fits your needs.

Answer: When you call the insurance carrier directly, they can only discuss and recommend their own plans. When you call a independent health insurance broker, they are contracted with multiple carriers, so they can compare options and advise you on the best plan available in your market based on your current needs.

Answer: Yes, but I recommend getting with your specific carrier, since all Medicare coverage will vary based on your health insurance carrier.

Answer: Absolutely! If you recently moved

your requirements and updates may vary depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have. Connecting with a local broker can make the process much easier.

Answer: You do have options in this scenario. You can appeal the decision, by asking your provider to send more medical information, or you can request a different in-network specialist. I always suggest getting with your agent. Having a trusted agent helping guide you through your options will keep you confident and in control of your care.

Answer: The standard monthly premium will be $202.90 in 2026, and prescription drug costs will be higher, moving the catastrophic cap from $2,000 to $2,100.

Answer: You should work with a Medicare agent to help ensure you’re maximizing every available benefit, and help you proactively plan your care, so health insurance never dictate where or how you receive treatment.