Peyton Hanigan, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: One of the best ways to manage all of these options and responsibilities is to find yourself a LOCAL trustworthy agent. The agent/broker being local is extremely important in these situations not only for the convenience factor, but also them being familiar with local doctors and facilities can be extremely helpful.

Answer: It depends on the type of plan it is. For example, Medicare supplements can be changed anytime throughout the year as long as certain underwriting or guaranteed issue requirements are met. Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan changes, however, are restricted to the Annual Enrollment Period which runs from October 15th- December 7th.

Answer: The simple answer is yes Medicare Part B covers routine screening mammograms once ever 12 months. However, there are other factors to consider, like other insurance you may have, how much the doctor charges, if your doctor accepts Medicare assignment, and the type of facility where you get this screening done.

Answer: Medicare itself does not provide any incentives or additional benefits for preventative health behaviors. However, there are some Medicare Advantage plans that will offer incentives for those healthy practices!

Answer: If you cannot afford your Medicare premiums there are other options to consider. One would be getting a plan that offers a rebate on Part B premiums. Another option would be to apply for assistance through the sate aka Medicaid. If you don't qualify for Medicaid, you can also look into LIS (low-income subsidy) through the Social Security Administration.

Answer: The 2 biggest advantages of working with a local agent is that you get to know them on a more personal level to see if they are a good fit for you/ your circumstances and they typically have more knowledge on the plans offered in your area and the providers that work with those plans.

Answer: Yes, there are plans that allow you to travel anywhere (including out of the country) and still have coverage. The most popular option if you are on Medicare is a Medicare Supplement plan.

Answer: It is absolutely ok to work with a younger Medicare advisor! Age should not be a determining factor when it comes to choosing an agent. You should base your decision on the knowledge and experience that they bring to the table.

Answer: The one piece of advice I would wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan would be to find a reputable LOCAL agent to work with. Not only is it important to lean on agents for their knowledge and expertise, but having an agent that is local is beneficial for the purpose of having a personal connection. It's not your run of the mill business transaction it is a MAJOR decision that if not handled properly can cost you big time.

Answer: It depends on what the screening is for. While Medicare does cover a wide range of preventative screenings there are some that are not covered by Medicare. If you have a service done that Medicare doesn't cover and you think it should have you have the right to file an appeal.

Answer: Thank you for reaching out. That is a great question. No, it won't affect your Medicare plan, but it would be beneficial to reconsider your coverage depending on the health condition. There are Medicare plans that specifically tailor to certain health conditions.