Phyllis Dixon, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Some Medicare supplement plans have an added benefit of programs to use the facilities at specific fitness locations at no charge.

Some Medicare Advantage plans also have that feature. Some Medicare Advantage plans have rewards programs for specific health related activities with monetary or other gift options, like gift cards.

Careful reviews of plans can discover if rewards are available. Taking into account all factors of coverage, not just fitness/wellness benefits will be the best approach to find the best plan fit.

Answer: That is a question that relates to future projections of wide ranging policy debate. This is not a question that an agent could answer as it relates to the kind of information that could found by an internet search of healthcare policy websites. Agents work with the current rules and regulations for Medicare policy.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans, frequently available:

1. Medicare Advantage plans that include a prescription drug benefit with the same general structure and rules as a stand alone drug plan. The costs to the member have separate maximum out of pocket limits in the medical and drug coverages.

2. So called MA only plans with no prescription drug coverage, if other drug coverage such as a retireee drug only benefit or Veteran's Benefit, even for some who never take drugs or never signed up for a drug plan and now there is a big penalty if they do sign up

3. Special needs plans for certain medical conditions

4. Dual Special Needs Plans, generally for those who have some level of government help like Medicaid

5. Corporate or other organization's retiree Medicare Advantage plans only for that company or organization's retirees. They are able to be customized within the Medicare guidelines.

Answer: Any marketing contact with a sales agent that would not include looking up providers from the list provided by the insurance company for each Medicare advantage plan reviewed would not be compliant with the rules as set forth by CMS: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Answer: It is best to confirm options with the Federal Benefits representatives or the online benefits portal. Unless changed recently Part B is optional but a person could decide later to add Part B. However it would likely be with a penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part B according to timing rules. Most retirees would opt for federal benefits and not turn them down when retiring.

Answer: When would health conditions affect a Medicare plan.

Mostly no, but several exceptions:

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans don't drop people for medical conditions generally, although recovering from a medical condition and then from Social Security Disability qualification could be a health condition issue in reverse, for those under 65. They got well and were dropped from Medicare if under age 65.

Medicare supplements and disqualification:

1. for new applicants: if there is no special enrollment period like moving to another state, losing employer coverage, turning 65, new to Part B, etc. Then Medicare supplements generally require answering medical questions in order to qualify for their coverage. A higher rate or declining the application could occur.

2. If the premium is not paid on an existing Medicare Supplement during the specific plan's grace period, there would likely be medical questions to answer same as a new applicant in general, and they can be declined a reinstatement of the plan.

3. Medicare Advantage limited situations:

perhaps if someone was not truthful or misunderstood the rules with some special needs Medicare Advantage plans had enrolled and was found unqualified for one of those plans requring specific health conditions, they could be disenrolled. Very likely after the disenrollment notice to be able to enroll in a plan suited to their situation as a limited time special election period.

Answer: There are two answers to this question: to sum it up, not as much as one might think.

1. Most states don't have official separate licensing called a broker license. A few may.

Listing to the public as broker most of the time doesn't mean an official separate license title different from licensed agent. It's a way to attempt to signal they are contracted to sell products from more than one insurance company. Note: I taught insurance pre-licensing and continuing education for 12 years.

2. Any licensed insurance professional selling Medicare plans has to follow certain rules. If they are doing marketing for specific Medicare plans they (whether listing as agent or broker) are required to state how many insurance companies they offer and how many total policy options they have in the specific designated marketing area for all the companies represented.

Answer: Agents in the local/region have more knowledge about resources in the area that support the client's needs.

Meeting face to face in the agents office, in a local venue or in the client's home have a personal connection that builds trust.

Answer: The most accurate information is in this document, which mentions starting on page 3 who is eligible including those under 65 special requirements

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf

Answer: Free is probably not the most accurate description. Each Medicare eligible person needs to have Medicare A and B (which has a cost for most people) to qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan. The plans often don't have an up front monthly premium, but somewhat like health insurance there is out of pocket expense for medical and prescription costs. That being the case, it's important to carefully review plans to be sure the out of pocket costs are acceptable in each person's situation.

Answer: It is rewarding to assist people who are very worried and confused by all of the information they need to try to understand about Medicare. When they spend an hour with me they often say how much they are relieved and happy to be comfortable now that I have helped by reviewing their options for Medicare coverage and have helped them enroll, if individual Medicare plans are their best choice. In addition, since I am not a call center agent, they have me as their year round resource.