Norman Smith

What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?

Answer: Since the publications and networks can fill the minds with mostly false, inaccurate representations, assuring that I give the honest answers and expectations is satisfying. I enjoy the relationships and being the trusted advisors my clients can count on! Sometimes, you have to tell someone something they don't always want to hear, but you do it, because they will be hurt in the long run if you don't. Having the client understand that I'll bring up important factors they didn't even think about, and preparing them for their best future is what I'm about. Stopping the confusion, and giving the facts, let's me respect the man in the mirror each day and night. If I don't have my integrity, what do I really have?

How can you create a comfortable environment for discussing Medicare with your parents?

Answer: Excellent Question. Parents often don't want to acknowledge they are getting older!! But it's a must to have a mature conversation about how choosing Medicare properly is vital for the back portion of their lives.

Medicare, like so many Health Insurance programs, has variations from year to year. It's important to not assume that we know all there is to know about Medicare and how those choices could affect your future - POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY! Whether it's turning 65 shortly, retiring, or being affected by a change of life scenario, etc., finding a PROFESSIONAL who can demonstrate patience and understanding, while helping calm the "fear of the unknown", and prepare them for this journey has to be a priority. It's important now because there is no Underwriting at this time, where there will be when their Open Enrollment period has ended.

Assisting your parents for you has to come from a calm discussion that lets them know you care about how they approach their future. Without healthcare, all their plans for this time of life that they've saved for could be absorbed by getting the wrong plan. It could also lead to a situation that causes them to encumber family members, take from savings and investments that were meant to go to other places, and detract from their quality of life. Let them know you want the best for them and their health, and with these facts in mind, guide them to bring a professional they can meet, preferably face-to-face, so that they are comfortable in the trust of this choice and the service they may need moving forward.

What role do you think technology will play in the future of Medicare?

Answer: Technology changes in the World are constantly having an effect on how costs play out, how treatments and prescriptions are delivered, and how information passes through from one station to another. So naturally, the costs of working with AI will affect the speed of treatments and services, how our Healthcare professionals can react to each other and the patients, and the overall pricing to the end user.

I believe how it affects the overall Healthcare Field is directly related to how it will then affect Medicare. Ultimately, what is wanted is for all things is to use AI to generate speed, accuracy, and costs.

What additional coverage options are available for international travelers?

Answer: Depending on which plan you decide on, there may be up to $50,000 in lifetime travel reimbursement for any International coverage. But surprisingly enough to some folks, the plans they take wouldn't even cover them out of their local county!!! This is why you should speak to an Agent who specializes in Medicare in your state and locality. Hope this helped!

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: Yes! As a Plan "G" Supplement holder, as long as you continue to have original Medicare A and B, pay your Part B and your supplement premiums, your only obligation to medical bills will be the $257 Part B Deductible, and you should not see a bill again for the rest of the year regardless of any other medical needs, outside of Long Term Care. If you do not have an agent who can answer these questions, you should find one! That's what the Agent should be paid to do - service AFTER the sale!

Which Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) offers the best value for most seniors, and why?

Answer: Everyone's situation is different. But the "G" Plan for new enrollees, for those who turned 65 after January 1, 2020, is the plan that holds the most benefits. Of course, those "G" plans will be priced higher than the "N" or the High "G" plan. Word of caution that some companies are developing plans they are calling "G" but in a different perspective. These are accepted and treated in a similar fashion to PPOs and HMO's, where there is a Network of Doctors and Specialists. The traditional "G" Plan has no networks.

What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?

Answer: That Medicare Advantage is Medicare. Also that Medicare Advantage plans give you coverage everywhere when they are usually only local plans!

What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?

Answer: They under think the future! They aren’t in recognition that their health today is most likely the best health they will have moving forward! Do you think you will be in better health now or in 10 years? - The body doesn’t work like that even if you were the second coming of Jack Lalanne!! And so with NO UNDERWRITING involved, they should invest in THE BEST COVERAGE THEY CAN NOW!!!

How does life insurance contribute to financial planning?

Answer: Done properly LI can save you in taxes from your savings, and if invested properly can be one of the safest places to put your money to grow on the gains of the market, and never play the losses!

It can also save you from probate on the right policies too!

Does Medicare cover health care services on a cruise ship?

Answer: Once you cross into International waters, your Medicare will not cover you. There are very specialized situations while traveling abroad where it does. Always take the travel insurance.

However, adding a proper supplemental plan to your original Medicare can provide a $50,000 lifetime reimbursement benefit to augment your billing.

What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?

Answer: Well, meeting together is always a more personal feel. You get to know your agent better than meeting through a Zoom or Teams meeting. Also, I come to your home personally to assist each year with the Part D, which can change yearly. In doing so we also stay on top of the changes in your life and adjustments to your needs that may have also changed!

If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?

Answer: Always good to talk to the professional either way! But some take their Part A as a backup to the existing coverage, even if they are deferring the Part B. But complete cost comparisons should be done to evaluate your best positioning.

How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?

Answer: Patiently! People react differently and so some are scared of what they don’t know, and to be “taken” or to miss out in making the best decision for themselves at this time. Having a professional who takes your approach, fears, anxieties, and questions with clarity and calmness to explain things, thoroughly, needs to be a mandate. Relate to them on their terms and give examples of real life and potentials.

What does Medicare Part B cover? Is it enough?

Answer: Part B covers Doctors, like Part A covers hospitals. It is important to note that it gives you free access and control to the Professionals you trust, not being assigned. It also covers DME - Durable Medical Equipment such as crutches, chairs, commodes, beds, etc. that many MA plans have you pay. But Part B doesn’t pay your Co-Insurances or Co-pays and has a $257 Deductible before it pays 80% to your billing. You are responsible for the balance. Many people smartly decide to add a strong Supplement plan to their original Medicare, and that price is dependent on the Plan, the company, and whether you are in an Issue age state or an Attained age state.

What do I need to do if I didn't take Medicare at 65 and am now retiring?

Answer: Well, firstly, Congratulations!!! I'm sure it was with years of hard work! And now we need to get the health portion of your years in the right direction!

You are now in what is known as a SEP (Special Enrollment Period). You want to go to Social Security and file to receive your benefits now, and submit that you are ready for your Medicare!

Next, you need to decide on how your Health Insurance will be taken care of in the retirement years. You may have many choices! Are you covered through a School, government, or military plan? Did you work for the Railroad? But if a member of the private sector who doesn't have those choices, you will choose from the 3 elements of Original Medicare only, with a supplement plan, or exchange your Medicare to accept a Medicare Advantage Plan.

But you want to take your Part A, even if you have permanent coverage through your employer. That could have been done when you turned 65. If you deferred your Part B when you turned 65, you need to let them know you are accepting that now. Also, you will need to choose a Part D provider, unless you are accepting a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a Prescription plan. Don't miss this, as you can end up with permanently attached penalties moving forward.

I would always recommend speaking with a Medicare professional face-to-face, and get the assistance to make this time easier and with more confidence.

What's one Medicare decision that too many people regret later?

Answer: Correct initial decisions of your health choice when first eligible for Medicare is paramount because this is the only time you will make that choice without any Underwriting involved!

Many people, for instance, make the choice of going with a Medicare Advantage plan automatically, only to find that it was neither Medicare nor an Advantage for them! That's not to say it isn't the proper choice for some who have no real choice based on their circumstances, but for the person who has progressive ailments, or a family history of cancer, heart issues, dementia, etc. the care for the choices aren't the same. Unfortunately, when it comes to wanting the best professional for their needs, they may not be available to them.

You can't call for Home Owner's Insurance amid a fire, or Auto Insurance once you've been in an accident. So if an ailment, accident, or disease comes along and you chose wrong initially, you've found out too late that you took "cheap" in place of preparation.

I encourage you to be sure you investigate your options thoroughly upon your Open Enrollment. Get all the facts. Know health will only regress, so best to be prepared.

If Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are better for long-term coverage, why don't more people choose them?

Answer: Advertising often misleads people to assume they know things they don't. The privatized companies that offer MA plans televise 9500 commercials per day! Have you seen many, if any, commercials regarding supplement plans? So many people don't have the information about them and the difference they make. In today's world, many seniors fear that they will be "Taken for a ride", so trusting a company or an agent is difficult.

MA companies make it seem so easy! They lay out the positives, but don't show what is missing from the policies, such as the choice of practitioners, specialists, or travel benefits. It doesn't show that the highest quality choices very often do not accept the MA product. It doesn't show what Out-of-Pocket costs are if you do not choose a Network Provider. It doesn't clarify that in giving your Original Medicare back for the MA plan that you lose coverage for your Durable Medical Equipment needs. Those plans need to be changed every year, and the policy you have today may not be in place next year, or your Doctor may not even participate in that plan any longer. You rarely have that issue with Medigap plans.

And we cannot leave out that the premiums for the Medigap plans may be out of reach for some. Unfortunately, some find out too late that they chose "Easy" instead of "Thorough", and what they saved in premiums cost them hugely later on when they needed more quality coverage.

What happens if I am already retired and collecting Social Security when I turn 65?

Answer: That just makes it easy! You turn on your Part A and B, elect a Part D Prescription plan, and you're ready to go!

Now, if you decide to go with a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will give up those benefits to take the privatized company insurance. Either way, it's pretty simple!

What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?

Answer: A broker works with several companies to provide options for you.

An agent is an individual who may be captive to 1 company and sell you on their plans.

What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?

Answer: Knowing I have been of great service to someone, helping them to make the best decision for their health moving forward, is very rewarding internally. So many think they know what is best - a decision that came from their assumptions, falsely fed information by neighbors, or incomplete advertising. Well, they do until you share with them some knowledge that confirms or presents a different thinking that demonstrates they would have chosen incorrectly for themselves. Many do not put enough emphasis on NO UNDERWRITING, and how the wrong decision could change their life in an instant if they chose the wrong plan.

I operate with morals, values, and integrity. I have been hurt by people who sold me based on greed or malicious intent. I never want a client or proposed client to even question that. So as long as I can respect the person in the mirror each day, know that I am doing a needed service for someone with care and sincerity, and provide for my family and future in the process, my satisfaction is fulfilled!

What are the red flags I should look for when interviewing agents? I want to make sure I'm not just getting sold to but genuinely advised.

Answer: Personally, when I sit with someone, I adopt the attitude that I'm not trying to sell you, but rather to have a thoughtful conversation, address your questions and concerns, and provide answers through information and real-life examples. By the time I'm finished with our appointment, you will have found the information on me as the agent, the company I represent, the product(s) recommended for your situation, the pricing for that decision, and the differences between my company and my competition. At that time, you choose to buy that from me or not. If you feel you are being sold, then you probably are.

Also, I try not to disparage any of my competitors. Although I feel my company is superior, I am confident in my servicing and the support I receive from the policies I sell through my company are the best; there are some very good companies out there. I don't like working with someone who puts down others.

Lastly, are they willing to show you rate sheets of how their company has performed over the past number of years, and their ratings with AM Best, which is how you measure Insurance companies.

I just moved to a new state. Do I need to do anything with my Medicare coverage?

Answer: Please notify Medicare of your new location and address so they can find relevant information in your area that may be of importance to you. If you have a Supplement plan, you will want to let them know of your new address as well. This doesn't mean you have to change any of the coverages, though! Having these 2 working for you, is a plus because they are protable and travel with you!

How can I estimate my total Medicare costs if I have a chronic condition like diabetes?

Answer: You should be able to have your doctor estimate your out-of-pocket costs, what the treatments are, and an estimate of costs with treatment. Your Part B should cover 80% of all treatments, and if you have a Supplement plan, that should cover the balance minus your $257 Part B Deductible. And as long as your plan doesn't hold you responsible for excess charges, that should be all the costs, medically. If you go to Medicare.gov, and look at the prescriptions, that's where your costs may really lie. Unless your drugs are administered by a medical professional at a medical facility, you may incur drug costs, depending on your plan.

Why would you not choose a medicare Advantage plan?

Answer: There are many reasons!

The most important reason is, I prefer to have control over my health, rather than a privatized corporation! In an MA plan, you have to follow their rules, see their doctors, facilities, and get referrals before you can go anywhere. If you have a consultation with a practitioner, and find you don't like or trust him/her, you do not have the choice to look elsewhere! You are going to THAT DOCTOR! So my preference, on the major medical items, at least, I want to know that I have the options for the BEST treatments I can get and not worry about the costs either, because I chose the best by opting for Original Medicare, and an affordable supplement, that gives ME the control over who I see. Accepting an MA plan means you eliminate yourself from having coverage through top facilities such as The Mayo Clinic, The Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Moffett, etc.

Also, I often see the annual deductible cost more than Original Medicare and a Supplement combined! Why would you opt then to put yourself in a controlled box? You are most likely paying for your Part B already in most MA programs. If the annual deductible is more than the yearly supplement, then it truly doesn't benefit you.

MA Plans rarely travel with you because they are dependent on the local Network of Doctors, hospitals, and participating specialists. If you travel, this is of no use to you. Everything will be out of pocket or at least out of network. And if you travel internationally, the MA plan is absolutely no good for you, whereas the supplement plans give you a $50,000 lifetime, 80% reimbursement payment for any medical services outside the USA.

Lastly, the consistency of changes to what the government allows for, and what the MA companies will cover, is constantly changing from year to year. So you have to review and babysit your medical each year! The doctor in the plan this year may elect not to accept it next year!

Don't get caught saving nickels to spend Benjamins on later!

I want to get a shingles vaccine. Will Medicare cover this preventive service?

Answer: The Shingles vaccine is covered by your Part D Prescription plan. It is not covered by Part A or B. Medicare Part D covers all the recommended vaccines by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This includes Shingles, RSV, whooping cough, etc. The plan will not charge you a copayment or credit towards a deductible for doing so.

What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?

Answer: They should be able to give you their license # and you could verify that # via the State Insurance Board. All agents must be licensed and registered. Even if they are out of state, they need to be licensed in their state.

If you feel comfortable enough, agree to do a Face to Face at a "safe space" - even a Starbucks! I personally will come to your home where you are most comfortable! You can also see if they will do a Zoom Call with you, but you'll want to be careful there as well. Try to stay in State and local if you have fears of trust of the person. This should be a person you rely on and trust more than your Homeowners and Auto agent!

Listen for them telling you their services are "free" and they just need to get your Medicare # for assisting you. If they seem secretive in revealing any history of their company or themselves, that is also a red flag. Can they tell you where they are located or calling from? How long have they been working with Seniors in your state and locale? Can they provide any reference letters that you could follow up on? Are they rated with AM Best, which is similar to the BBB for private industry? Ask them to send some information that you can then follow up on, and give them a call back.

In truth, there are many good companies out there, so if you do not feel comfortable with someone, let them go, and have no worries about it!

I need a hearing aid but I've heard Medicare doesn't cover them. Is there any way around this?

Answer: In short - No! You may be best to find a discount plan or check out individual offers from the private sector. MA Plans push this 'benefit", but you'll want to look into it a little further from each offered plan. The focus from the MA companies is to have you see the "free" and "inexpensive" benefits they provide. It's a form of redirection. Then, when you've taken the plan and find you need a major surgery, operation, or treatment, you find they have left you with a very large bill, as they didn't give the complete coverage you needed then. But you have your Hearing Aids!!!! Just be sure to balance the offers up front against the long-range costs when the body wears down and you need REAL coverage.

I live in a rural area with limited specialists and am interested in telehealth options. How does Medicare cover virtual visits for someone in my location?

Answer: As long as the Doctor is willing to do virtual visitations and then bill Medicare, it will be covered as a standard visitation from Medicare Part B. It is a wonderful benefit of technology that can save you much time and costs!

What's the cheapest way to get Medicare coverage if I only need basic hospital care?

Answer: People believe that an MA plan is always the cheapest, but find out too late that it was costly in the end. The fact that in Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment, you have NO UNDERWRITING means you should grab the best plan while you can! If you feel healthy today, that may not be where you end up in a year, and then you find you have the worst coverage for that health dilemma. Even the healthiest and the smartest cannot predict accidents or what health crisis may affect us should another COVID come down the pike! No one knew that was going to devastate our cultures and health as it did! So you should be prepared!

Therefore, I would always stay with Original Medicare, and at least opt for a High-Deductible Supplemental plan. This way, you would have the best coverage for anything catastrophic, and if you didn't need to use it, even for a couple of years, you didn't overpay for it. It will protect you from severe financial distress and allow you to choose the best doctors so your situation won't worsen with severe financial obligations.

Does Medicare cover cancer screenings, and how often can I get them?

Answer: The parameters of coverage through your Part B of cancer screenings can also be found at Medicare.gov. Part B covers almost all screenings within a recommended time frame according to the particular cancer and the body. Medicare Part B will cover 80%, and then the balance is left to you, or should be billed to your Supplemental plan if you chose one. Do remember, however, that you may see the full amount of the $257 Part B deductible billed to you, depending on how much you have paid into it when services were rendered.

Will my Medicare plan work when traveling to Europe?

Answer: Original Medicare with a Supplement provides up to $50,000 in lifetime reimbursements, covering up to 80% of your International medical costs. Note that your Medicare will work in the territories of the US. Such places as the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. There are a few places between the USA Northern border and Alaska that would also have coverage under Medicare. Europe is not a covered location. I would recommend taking Travel Insurance.

When is the best time of the year to start looking at Medicare options?

Answer: Medicare options can be looked at even up to 9 months in advance of your 65th birthday! So gathering your information and being ahead of the game is to your advantage. Learn all you can! See a few agents from companies you would consider - I would limit to about 3-4. Know the companies and their background - some have more legal issues than others!

If you are working and still have coverage from your employer, you still may want to look at the comparisons of costs for yourself against what Medicare offers, and TAKE YOUR PART A as a backup. Look at your deductibles, Co-Pays, maximum out-of-pocket spending, and coverage limitations. If you plan on taking Full Retirement at 67 for full SS benefits, make sure you are looking at least 6 months in advance, even if the company elects to pay your insurance moving forward. You can only help yourself by comparing.

Don't you think Medicare should ban all those celebrity Medicare Advantage commercials?

Answer: My concern isn't with "Who" they bring in to assist with the advertising, but the lack of full disclosure they present in those commercials.

The MA commercials are always pressing on the "free" items, and the benefits they tell you they can give you, but aren't disclosing that by taking those plans, you have boxed yourself into their Network, which will not have the highest quality doctor, specialists, or hospitals, based upon the amount and the payment time from the carrier versus Original Medicare. These plans most likely will not travel with you as they do not have a National PPO plan to cover you outside of your county region. They have limitations, and even though they may tell you about limited or no co-pays or low deductibles, they don't acknowledge that to offer the highest plans that you will pay for them - they're not free!

If individual control of your health is important to you, or if picking the doctor you want anywhere in the country is important to you, then what you really need to compare is the "free" plan to the "free" choice you have instead when taking Original Medicare and a Supplement.

My diabetes medication is super expensive, and I've heard horror stories about Part D not covering what people need. Should I go standalone Part D or get it through a Medicare Advantage plan?

Answer: Firstly, my recommendation is to stay away from the MA plans, as your healthcare will be limited as to choices on your health. Especially when there is NO UNDERWRITING involved in your Open Enrollment, get the best while you can and keep control of your health always. MA means giving the control and the choices to a private company who doesn’t even know you!!!

The Prescriptions and pricing are based on a Tier level through the Medicare Part D. Depending on the plan chosen, your drugs will have different pricing. For 2025, between Premium and covered drug costs, you will not have more than $2,000 out of pocket expense. This is a great improvement over previous years!

If they can be administered at your PCP’s or other Medical Professionals office, they would be covered under your Part B. So, do what you can there!

I have Original Medicare, and I'm wondering if I'd save more on my dental cleanings if I switched to a Medicare Advantage plan instead.

Answer: Please don’t do that!!! That would be one of the worst decisions of your life!

Currently you are in total control of your health decisions, you have coverage that carries anywhere in the ISA and have the choice of the BEST MEDICAL CARE AVAILABLE! To go to a MA plan is to voluntarily give those things up for the benefit of a dental cleaning? Compare that to needing the best Doctor for cancer, heart, lungs, blood issues, surgeries, and rehabilitation choices.

You are better to find a dental plan through private options or AAA or AMAC. But don’t give the freedom of the best health options for that!

I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?

Answer: Open enrollment is 10/15 - 12/7 each year. You also may have a Special Enrollment Period, if you just retired from work, moved, or have been dropped from your spouses’ coverage.

Does Medicare Part A cover outpatient surgery, or is that strictly under Part B?

Answer: Part A is strictly for your Hospital issues. Your Outpatient surgery and care are covered by your Part B only.

I've been diagnosed with prediabetes. What preventive services does Medicare cover to help prevent progression to type 2 diabetes?

Answer: Medicare covers the Pre-diabetes program once in your lifetime. But, you must meet all 12 conditions to be covered. Part B will pay for the full costs associated with this treatment, should you qualify. This is a behavioral program only.

What's the most misleading Medicare Advantage ad you've seen, and how do you explain the reality to clients?

Answer: I feel they are ALL MISLEADING!! The push is to hear the words "Free" or "No Charge". They sell the benefits they give, but not what is NOT COVERED. And the benefits they list aren't as fluid, as it would seem, to use. The failure to discuss how the plan is not portable on trips, how much Co-Pay or deductible, or Max out of pocket the end user is responsible for, is very misleading. They talk about In Network so sweetly, but don't tell you the best health practices won't accept it! So, be careful when you listen for what they AREN'T TELLING YOU, more than what they ARE telling you!

As a senior, what should I know about the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage before I choose?

Answer: The most important questions to ask yourself are these:

1) - As I age, will my health get better or worse?

2) - How important is it for you and your family to have the election of any doctor or facility in the USA?

3) - How important is it to be in control of your own health, as opposed to a private company making decisions for you?

If the answer to the first one was anything other than "worse", you are fooling yourself.

And if the last 2 aren't important to you at all, and you are fine with staying in a network of chosen health professionals that may or may not be top in their field, you are happy getting referrals from the PCP you are allowed to see - to see specialists, etc., and are focused on the "freebies" an MA plan can give you, then you should take one of their plans. Otherwise, Original Medicare with a proper supplement plan is the best choice.

Does Medicare cover hearing aids, or do I have to pay out of pocket?

Answer: The short answer is NO.

The Medicare Advantage plans predominantly have some form of coverage, but not all. This is quite a costly bill to pay for the hearing aids, though, as it will cost in so many other ways! Nothing is truly "Free". You surrender the control and the options to all other health issues when you take an MA plan, so think this through before you jump to an MA plan strictly because of the hearing aid coverage.

My friend says the new Medicare drug payment plan in 2025 will help with her expensive medications. Would it help me too?

Answer: Everyone's individual needs are different. Her expensive drugs may be a different Tier than your drugs. Her plan may be a totally different plan than what is best for you. Find an agent who will sit and review those plans with you when you elect to pick your plan. I can tell you the 2025 plan is fantastic in comparison to 2024, as it will limit your max out-of-pocket between Premium and drug expense will not be over $2000.

I just moved from New York to Florida and have Original Medicare with a New York Medigap plan. Do I need to change my coverage?

Answer: You don't have to, but it is to your advantage to do so! I am a licensed Fl agent, and can explain it to you should you reach out to me. The plan itself most likely won't change, but the amount leaving your bank account will!! - Norman Smith

I've been paying into Medicare for years, and I'm not sure why my specialist visits still cost me so much. What am I missing here?

Answer: I think we need to clarify what “Medicare” you actually have!

People say they have Medicare when they actually have a Medicare Advantage plan, which is NOT MEDICARE, and too often then not, is NOT AN ADVANTAGE!!!

Original Medicare through your Part B would allow you the freedom to choose your specialist and would cover 80% of the cost. If you had a Supplement plan with Original Medicare, they could be paying for some or ALL of those charges and excess charges.

My recommendation is to speak to a Medicare professional so that during Open Enrollment, starting October 15th, you can assure you find the correct plan you need!

I'm on Medicare but recently declared bankruptcy due to medical bills. How will this affect my coverage and options going forward?

Answer: I’m sorry to hear that. And good luck.

Medicare itself has no credit rating or change in coverage due to BK. But as long as you continue to to make your Part B payments your Medicare will continue to on.

My suggestion is to try to find at least a High Deductible Supplement plan that allows you to keep your Doctor choices and limit the amount of responsibility that can come back to you. If you hadn’t accepted a Medicare Advantage Plan, do not worsen your situation financially with a plan that will control you and your health moving forward.

You can work through Bankruptcy. You can’t work through not allowing yourself the control and freedom that you would then give up on your health by taking an Advantage plan.

Is Medicare's coverage for cataract surgery enough, or do seniors still face high out-of-pocket costs?

Answer: After meeting the $257 Part B deductible, you will have the 20% responsibility. Now if you have a Supplement plan to your Original Medicare, then the 20% should be paid in Full, or at least in part, of the remaining balance.

I need a new wheelchair, and I'm not sure if Medicare will cover it. What's the process for getting durable medical equipment?

Answer: Original Medicare pays for DME, unless noted anywhere within its policy Medicare Advantage plans do not.

You will have the 20% Co-pay responsibility, unless you have a Supplement plan that covers those charges.

That is an important feature in keeping your Original Medicare pays- it handles your DME, Medicare Advantage is typically handled Out-of-pocket by the insured.

Why do some people regret choosing a Medicare Advantage plan over Original Medicare?

Answer: I don’t know! MA plans are helpful if you are staying local with no travel; your doctor accepts the plan now, and it pays your Part B, and your Prescriptions. But what is the Co- Pay, the deductibles, and Maximum Out-of-pocket costs? But you have NO CHOICE OF DOCTORS, No COVERAGE when you travel as you are OUT OF NETWORK, and cannot see the specialist facilities such as Moffett, Mayo, and the Cleveland Clinic. You give complete control of your health to a group of individuals to decide IF you can see someone and cover you.

Why is regular Medicare better than an advantage plan?

Answer: Do you like having the choice and control of your health care? Do you prefer that you can see any doctor, in any city, in any specialty and capacity, as YOUR CHOICE? Do you want coverage when you travel? Do you want to know that once you choose Original Medicare and a Supplement, you will never be fully responsible for a total bill? The MA plan today, may not be there tomorrow, and the doctor who accepts it today, may not accept it tomorrow!

Yes, MA makes it sound nice with glasses, teeth cleaning, maybe even a grocery card, but you then give them control of your health completely. So please consider that in your thinking.

Good luck!

Norman Smith, Medicare Insurance Agent

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