Patrick Stinson, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Yes, Medicare should do more to address health disparities among minority seniors. Medicare has a significant role to play in reducing these disparities and improving health outcomes for all beneficiaries, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups.

Here's why and how:

Why Medicare Should Do More:

Significant Disparities Exist:

Racial and ethnic minorities experience disparities in health outcomes, access to care, and quality of care compared to their White counterparts, according to KFF.

Medicare's Influence:

As the largest purchaser and regulator of healthcare in the US, Medicare has a unique opportunity to influence the system and address these inequities, according to Toledo Lucas County Health Department.

Growing Minority Population:

The proportion of minority beneficiaries in Medicare is increasing, making addressing these disparities even more crucial.

Impact on Health and Costs:

Addressing health disparities can lead to improved health outcomes and lower healthcare costs overall, according to University at Buffalo.

How Medicare Can Do More:

Data Collection and Analysis:

Improve data collection and analysis to better understand the extent and causes of disparities, according to KFF.

Targeted Interventions:

Develop and implement targeted interventions to address specific areas of disparity, such as access to care, quality of care, and preventive services, according to Penn LDI.

Cultural Competency Training:

Encourage providers to receive cultural competency training to better understand and address the needs of diverse populations.

Advocate for Equity:

Advocate for policies that promote health equity, such as expanding access to affordable healthcare and addressing social determinants of health.

Promote Access to Technology:

Improve digital access and literacy for minority seniors to facilitate access to telehealth and other digital health resources.

Focus on High-Quality Plans:

Incentivize insurers to offer high-quality plans in areas

Answer: Lifetime reserve days are extra days of inpatient hospital coverage in Original Medicare beyond the standard 90 days per benefit period. You have a total of 60 lifetime reserve days that can be used once during your lifetime. For each reserve day, you'll pay a coinsurance fee, and Medicare covers the remaining costs.

Answer: You should check out the Extra Help program. Also known as Low Income Subsidy. (LIS) You can also check out to see if your state has any assistance programs.

Answer: Medicare Part A will pay 100% of the covered costs of care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for the first 20 days of a covered stay. For days 21 through 100, Medicare will cover a portion of the costs, and the patient will be responsible for a daily coinsurance. After 100 days, Medicare will no longer cover the cost of the SNF stay.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay health care costs if you have limited income and (in some cases) resources and meet other requirements. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Most, but not all, nursing homes accept Medicaid payment. Even if you pay out-of-pocket or with long-term care insurance, you may eventually "spend down" your assets while you’re at the nursing home, so it’s good to know if the nursing home you chose will accept Medicaid.

Answer: Staying with Original Medicare without a Medigap plan can lead to significant financial risk, as it means you're responsible for paying a portion of your healthcare costs, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Without a Medigap plan, these costs can add up quickly, especially if you need a major hospital stay or have ongoing health issues.

Answer: Factors Influencing Medicare Coverage:

Clinical Indications: You need a clinical indication for germline (inherited) testing for hereditary cancer. This means your doctor must recommend it based on your specific situation and family history.

Risk Factors: You must have risk factors for germline (inherited) cancer.

No Prior Testing: You must not have been previously tested for the same germline genetic content.

FDA Approval: The test must be approved by the FDA.

Medical Necessity: The test must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician.

Answer: While receiving care through the Indian Health Service (IHS) at no cost, you are still eligible to enroll in Medicare. Medicare is a separate federal health insurance program for individuals 65 and older, or those younger with certain disabilities.

Here's why it's beneficial to have both:

Expanded Coverage:

Medicare can provide additional benefits and coverage, especially for specific medical needs not always covered by IHS.

Flexibility:

Medicare allows you to access specialists and other providers outside of IHS facilities, according to Healthline.

Financial Stability:

Medicare can provide financial protection against unexpected high medical costs, says Medigap.com.

Tribal Support:

Many tribes encourage or support their members to enroll in Medicare.

Key Considerations:

Enrollment:

You can enroll in Medicare regardless of your IHS eligibility.

Cost:

While Medicare itself can have premiums, some plans offer lower or zero-cost options, according to MedicareFAQ.

Coordinating Care:

Your IHS provider can help you understand how Medicare and IHS work together.

Additional Insurance:

You might also consider supplementary insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan for more comprehensive coverage, according to MedicareFAQ.

For more information and guidance, consult your IHS provider or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Answer: Yes, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans can offer coverage for smartphone apps that help with medication management and adherence, as part of broader digital health solutions. Many private MA plans are expanding their digital health offerings, including telehealth services like virtual visits and medication reminders through apps.

Answer: About $4.9 trillion. That equals about $14,570 ish per person. The federal government pays around 32-35%.

Answer: I would say the three-night hospital stay required for nursing home benefits. It states that an individual must stay in the hospital for 3 consecutive nights to be eligable for Medicare coverage at a skilled nursing facility.

Answer: It might. Check out https://info.usmed.com/getcgm. They will be able to tell you for sure.

Answer: This important field of sales connects seniors and vulnerable populations with essential healthcare options. However, selecting the right Medicare plan can be overwhelming, especially for individuals unfamiliar with the intricacies of insurance. That’s where professionals step in, offering clarity in a sea of confusion.

By guiding clients through the often complicated maze of Medicare options, you help them make informed choices that directly impact their healthcare and financial stability. It's not simply about explaining plan details — it's about translating complex information into simple, actionable steps.

You empower your clients to confidently choose coverage that aligns with their unique needs, whether it’s medication costs, hospital stays, or preventive care.

In this career, every interaction is an opportunity to make a profound difference. Whether it’s a senior who’s anxious about mounting medical bills or a family caregiver looking for support, you become their advocate.

Answer: You will need to get with a qualified advisor and let them guide you through it or you can go to Medicare.gov.

Answer: I would suggest getting to know an authorized and licensed independent agent that you can call or text any time you need information or have a question.

Answer: “You can’t change your Medicare Advantage plan after you enroll.”

The truth: While it's true that you're generally locked in for the year after choosing a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan during Annual Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7), there's a lesser-known window:

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Jan 1–Mar 31

During this time, beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can:

Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or

Drop their Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan if they want).

Many agents forget or overlook this option, which could help clients who regret their decision, dislike their network, or have unexpected issues with coverage.

Knowing this sets great agents apart — and gives clients peace of mind.

Answer: One thing many older adults wonder is whether their Medicare benefits are portable. If you travel often within the U.S., you should know original Medicare covers hospital care and doctor visits in all 50 U.S. states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Guam; American Samoa; and the Northern Mariana Islands. There are no network restrictions; you can see any provider that accepts Medicare.

What about Medicare Advantage? The issue of coverage area isn't as straightforward. Certain Medicare Advantage plans do provide state-to-state coverage, including a national pharmacy network that allows you to pick up your prescription medications at locations across the country. However, other Medicare Advantage plans may not cover care outside of their defined service area—or they may impose higher cost-sharing or prior-authorization rules for out-of-network care.

Note: Both original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S. without additional restrictions or out-of-pocket costs.

Will you be spending a large amount of time at a second home, with family, or at a long-term vacation rental? If you have an Medicare Advantage plan, be sure you understand its rules before heading out on an extended stay. This is because:

With many Medicare Advantage plans, you’re limited in the amount of time you can spend outside your service area and still be covered (e.g., six months). For example, if you’re a snowbird who spends winters in Florida, you can remain there for six consecutive months and maintain your Medicare Advantage coverage. If you stay longer than that, you may be disenrolled from the plan and automatically enrolled in original Medicare. While six months is common, some MA plans allow you to travel continuously within the U.S. for up to one year and still keep your benefits.

Answer: I would contact your state department for Medicaid and sign him up for that. You should consult an attorney to find out about power of attorney if you haven't already. Medicaid will help you a lot if he can qualify. Good luck and God bless.

Answer: No, Medicare generally does not cover stairlifts, even for safety reasons, as they are considered home modifications rather than durable medical equipment. Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) like wheelchairs and walkers, but stairlifts are categorized as home modifications and are not typically reimbursed. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer some coverage for stairlifts as a supplemental benefit.

Answer: Your agent or whoever helped you with the enrollment had an opportunity to list your doctors and medications to see if all are covered. I do that with everyone that I help. That helps you to make an informed decision.