Nikki Rowland, Medicare Insurance Broker
Nikki Rowland
Charter Financial Group of Carolinas
Medicare Broker Licensed in SC and NC
Contact Details
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Location
Murrells Inlet, SC
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Phone
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Website
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About Me
Hey neighbors! I am native of Myrtle Beach, now living in Murrells Inlet who has been involved in helping my community over the years. I am very passionate about helping others and I will always go the extra mile.
I am a dedicated insurance broker specializing in Medicare and retirement planning. When I'm not helping my clients secure their future, you'll find me cheering on my daughter at horse races and supporting my son in all things sports.
Q&A with Nikki Rowland
What's the most important question I should be asking about Medicare that I probably haven't thought of yet?
Answer: Medicare does not cover everything. You should always ask, are there gaps in my coverage that could leave me with unexpected out-of-pocket costs?
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: If you want more provider options and no referrals, a PPO is the better choice. If you’re okay with sticking to a network to save money, an HMO might be a better fit. Would you like help comparing specific plans to see which works best for you?
When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?
Answer: When your husband passes away, you do not receive both your Social Security benefit and his in full. Instead, you will receive the higher of the two benefits.
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: When working with clients who are completely new to Medicare, I focus on making the process simple, clear, and stress-free by breaking it down into four key steps:
1.Understanding the Basics
I start by explaining:
* What Medicare is and who qualifies
* The four parts of Medicare (A, B, C, and D)
* The difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
2. Identifying Individual Needs
I ask questions to understand their healthcare needs, lifestyle, and budget, such as:
Do you take regular prescriptions?
Do you prefer flexibility in choosing doctors?
Do you travel often or live in multiple states?
3. Coverage Options
Once I know your needs, I walk you through:
* Medicare Supplement (Medigap) vs. Medicare Advantage
* Prescription drug plans (Part D)
* Out-of-pocket costs and ways to minimize expenses
4 Helping with Enrollment & Next Steps
I make sure they know their deadlines to avoid penalties and help them enroll in the right plan. I also offer ongoing support so they feel confident in their coverage.
Which Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) offers the best value for most seniors, and why?
Answer: This all depends on specific client needs as well as finances. Medicare is never one size fits all plan.
I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?
Answer: First, Confirm Your Enrollment Status.
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A & Part B—your Medicare card should arrive about 3 months before your birthday. If you are not taking SS, you will have to call and let them know you would like to take your part B.
If you are still working and have credible insurance coverage through your employer you may opt out of Medicare for now.
I would sit down and cover all option available to you to ensure you make the right choice for YOU.
Again, its not a one size fits all.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Answer: The biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage is the network restrictions, which can limit your choice of doctors and hospitals compared to Original Medicare (with a Medigap plan) as well as high co-pays.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: Because Medicare is a not a one size fits all plan, I never recommend one over the other without first doing a full needs analysis. Both options can work well if this is done first.
My Medicare Advantage plan listed my doctor, but now they say he's out of network. How is that even allowed?
Answer: That can be frustrating! Medicare Advantage plans typically have contracts with specific networks of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. However, sometimes these contracts change throughout the year. Even if your doctor was in-network when you enrolled in your plan, they might have been removed from the network later due to changes in the insurance company’s agreements or policies.
Unfortunately, this can happen, but you do have some options.
I picked a PPO for the flexibility, but now every time I go out of network the bills are outrageous. What's the point of even having a PPO?
Answer: PPOs offer more flexibility compared to HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), they still have a cost structure that favors in-network providers. There are many reasons why your out-of-network costs might be so high.
A PPO simply allows you to go out of network and still get coverage at a contracted rate. An HMO will not cover anything and you will pay everything out of pocket as if you don't have insurance at all.
How does losing a spouse impact my Medicare plan if I was on their employer coverage?
Answer: If you are unable to keep the coverage from the spouse's employer, you would have a SEP Special Enrollment Period to the enroll into a new plan. This would be person and situation specific.
What's a Medicare rule or regulation that's outdated or unfair to seniors?
Answer: Original Medicare lets you see any doctor nationwide and works well for people who travel or want flexibility. It usually costs more monthly, especially if you add drug (Part D) and Medigap coverage, but you’ll have fewer restrictions.
Medicare Advantage is a lower-cost, all-in-one option from private insurers that includes extras like dental and vision. It often has network limits and copays, but can save you money if you’re okay with those trade-offs.
My doctor wants me to get several preventive screenings. Will Medicare cover all of these at once?
Answer: Yes, Medicare covers many preventive screenings and services, often at no cost to you, as long as your doctor accepts Medicare and the services meet the guidelines.
Can I get a Medigap plan with Guaranteed Issue if I'm losing my employer coverage?
Answer: Yes. You have a Guaranteed Issue right if:
1.You're 65 or older and have Medicare Part B.
2.You're losing employer-sponsored group health coverage (this includes coverage through you or your spouse).
3.You apply for a Medigap plan within 63 days of the coverage ending.
I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?
Answer: Best Option: Original Medicare + a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan
Covers you nationwide — any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare.
No networks, so it works anywhere in the US that accepts Medicare..
Pair it with a Part D drug plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage Plans are network-based and area-specific.
If your plan is based in SC, it may not cover non-emergency care in FL (or may have out-of-network fees).
Some PPOs offer limited nationwide coverage, but it’s plan-specific and not guaranteed.
Bottom line:
If you’re a snowbird, a Medigap plan is your most flexible, travel-friendly choice.
Want help checking what Medigap plans are available to you now?
I have Medicare Advantage with a PPO, and I'm curious if my annual wellness visit is free or if I'll owe something for it.
Answer: Your annual wellness visits should be covered at no extra cost. Now, if you are seeing a specialist with for this, you will have a specialist Co-pay.
I'm on Medigap Plan G, and I'm curious how my upcoming knee replacement surgery will be billed. Does the plan cover it all after my deductible?
Answer: You should not have any other out of pocket cost as long as you have met our yearly deductible. 2025 is $257
I picked a Medicare Advantage plan based on the low premium, but now I'm facing high copays. Did I make a mistake?
Answer: Typically a Medicare Advantage plan does not cost a monthly premium but you do have Co-pays as you use the services. That is how these type of plans are designed. Without knowing specifics, it's hard to say if your choice was a mistake or was just not explained properly.
My friend got her cataract surgery covered by Medicare, but they didn't cover the lens she wanted. How does that work?
Answer: Medicare will cover the basic lens. If you want to upgrade, you will pay out of pocket for the upgraded lens. This is normal.
I called to ask about a knee replacement and suddenly they said I need prior authorization. I thought my plan was supposed to be good-what's going on?
Answer: Without know what kind of plan you have, this is a tough question to answer. More info is needed. Some plans require pre-auth and some do not.
I'm a green card holder who's been in the US for 4 years and turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare?
Answer: You must have lived in the US for a min of 5 years. At that time you will likely have a Premium for Part A as well as the normal Part B premium since you have not lived her and worked at least 40 Quarters.
I've had a change in my health condition. How does this affect my current Medicare plan, and should I reconsider my coverage?
Answer: It is always a GREAT idea to review your coverage. Plans change and as you know, how health care needs change. There may or may not be something better for you. I always encourage plan reviews.
I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?
Answer: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there is a CO-Pay for each service provided to you including an ambulance ride. This is another reason I feel it is so important to have a local agent that explains all of the details to you so you don't have surprise bills.
How does Medicare Part B handle coverage for preventative screenings like mammograms?
Answer: Medicare Part B covers many preventive services, including screening mammograms, to help detect diseases early when they’re most treatable.
I went with Medigap because I travel a lot, but now I'm paying a fortune in premiums. Did I make a mistake?
Answer: You can always reapply for lower premiums with a different carrier. The coverage would remain the same if you qualify.