Pamela Fugitt-Hetrick, Medicare Insurance Agent
Pamela Fugitt-Hetrick
DCD Financial & Insurance Services
Medicare Agent Licensed in CA
23+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Santa Cruz, CA
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Phone
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Website
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Schedule An Appointment
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Pre-Appointment Form
About Me
Hi, I'm Pamela, a Health insurance agent dedicated to serving your local area. Medicare is my area of expertise, and I'm committed to helping you pinpoint the most suitable plan for your individual needs and budget. I LOVE unraveling the mysteries of health insurance for people. I'll handle the research and comparison of plans from top national and local companies, so you can relax. Plus, my assistance comes at absolutely no cost to you. Reach out to me today to discuss your Medicare insurance possibilities and remember to mention you found me through Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Pamela Fugitt-Hetrick
I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?
Answer: 1sr determine if you need to enroll. If you do, enroll 3 months before your birthday month. If you are already collecting social security, your ID should arrive automatically approximately 3 months prior to your 66th birthday.
Call a certified agent in your area for assistance and guidance on Medicare plans once you have Medicare A and B. Their assistance is at no charge.
There are two main pathways. Medicare with supplements, or Medicare Advantage.
What is the biggest disadvantage of the Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: They are regional plans with more limited doctors and hospitals that you must use in your area. The tend to change annually and can even cease business in your area. This forces you to analyze your annual notice of change carefully each annual open enrollment. In some regions, there may be many Medicare Advantage plans available. In other places, no Medicare Advantage plans.
Do Medicare Advantage plans really save seniors money in the long run? Why or why not?
Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are very low cost monthly premiums compared to a Medicare Supplement. They do have co-pays and and a percentage of charges you have to pay for medical services. In the end, if you had high-cost procedures like Chemo, Radiation, or Dialysis, you would have much higher out of pocket costs as you use the Advantage plan. Advantage plans also limit the doctors and hospitals you can access outside of an emergency.
What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?
Answer: One scam that has been prolific is telling you that you can received a free medical item like a knee brace. You only need to provide your name, address, and Medicare number. Another is to tell you about a great new dental or vision plan Medicare is offering. You need to provide your information in order to sign up. They may just keep and sell your information or sign you up for a Medicare advantage plan that includes a dental and vision plan. What you don't know is that removes you from Original Medicare all together.
I've heard that once you're on Medicare, you might not need life insurance as much. Is that true?
Answer: Medicare does not provide a death benefit when you die. If you are looking to provide tax free funds to your heirs, keep your life insurance policy. Medicare will help cover hospitalization and Medical expenses.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: Medicare is like learning a new language. I love helping clients unravel the mysteries of Medicare. I don't want to just sign them up for things but really understand their choices.
If you had to pick just one, what's the worst Medicare-related decision someone can make?
Answer: Not having a free consultation with an agent on when, if and how to enroll in Medicare when you are turning 65 or leaving employer coverage after 65. The worst and sometimes impossible to resolve issues start with that error.
What happens to my Medicare coverage if I enter a skilled nursing facility for rehab but then need long-term care?
Answer: Medicare will cover up to 20 days of skilled nursing after a 3 day or longer inpatient stay. There is up to 100 days per incident of additional days that may be available for a daily charge after that. Medicare doesn't cover long-term care.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Independent agents can help you know when and how to enroll in Medicare. They can educate you on the differences between Medicare Supplement and the Medicare Advantage pathways. An agent in your region can also help you with local nuances like physician systems that don't accept new patients, where and how to find a primary care, etc. They can't charge you a fee so why not get a free guide.
Can I use my Medicare when I travel to another state?
Answer: You can use Original Medicare (Parts A and B) anywhere in the United States. Medicare Supplements also work Nationwide.
However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, typically you only have Emergency or Urgent care access out of your service area.
Part D plans also vary by provider. Some offer national pharmacy networks, allowing you to fill prescriptions in any state, while others may have limited networks. Always verify with your plan to avoid unexpected costs.