Randy Bridges, Medicare Insurance Agent
Randy Bridges
Tar Heel Insurance Agency LLC
Medicare Agent Licensed in NC, SC and WV
40+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Serving
Statesville, NC
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Phone
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Website
Randy Can Help With:
About Me
Hey there, my name is Randy, and I am your local Medicare advisor and agent. I specialize in Medicare and am devoted to helping you find the best plan that matches your specific needs and financial situation. Even better, my services are completely free! Contact me today to explore your Medicare options, and be sure to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Randy Bridges
Can I collect Social Security benefits without signing up for Medicare?
Answer: Signing up for Social Security is not tied to receiving Medicare benefits. Nor do you have to be drawing Security benefits to enroll in Medicare. If you are eligible for both, however, you can enroll simultaneously through the Social Security website, SSA.gov.
From your experience working with Medicare beneficiaries, what are the biggest warning signs that a doctor or healthcare provider may be involved in Medicare fraud, and what should beneficiaries do to protect themselves?
Answer: Check online reviews of healthcare providers. Your plan provider may also provide member reviews of participating providers. If your explanation of benefits statements include services or supplies that you did not receive, report this to your plan provider or to Medicare itself.
If you receive medical supplies that your provider did not order or that you do not need, also report this.
Does Medicare cover transportation to doctor appointments?
Answer: Medicare generally does not provide coverage for routine transportation, although some Medicare Advantage plans may offer transportation benefits if you meet certain criteria. Consult a local Medicare plan broker to explore your eligibility.
I chose Original Medicare to keep my doctors, but now I'm drowning in bills. Should I have gone with Advantage instead?
Answer: Research whether a Medicare Advantage plan with 4-star or higher rating is available in your area whose network includes your doctors. If there are more than one plan that fits these requirements, then research further. Medicare.gov is an excellent starting point.
A local Medicare plan broker can also be an excellent source of information for selecting the right plan. More people now enroll in Medicare Advantage plans than in original Medicare/Medicare supplement plans.
What’s the best time of year to change my Medicare plan if I develop a new diagnosis?
Answer: Assuming that you are presently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make a change during the annual enrollment period which is from October 15 to December 7 each year. The plan change would take effect on January 1 of the following year.
You also would be able to make a change during the first quarter of the year, and the effective date of your plan change would be the 1st day of the following month.
Since Medicare does not allow health questions (medical underwriting) on many Medicare Advantage plans, you would not be turned down or rated up due to any existing medical conditions. Exceptions to this would be if you are enrolling in a plan which is offered to Medicare beneficiaries who have a specific medical condition, such as diabetes or heart condition.