Rhys Kern, Medicare Insurance Agent
Rhys Kern
Medicare Agent Licensed in NC and VA
Contact Details
-
Location
Madison, NC
Rhys Can Help With:
About Me
I’m Rhys, your local Medicare guy. I sit down with you, check your doctors and meds, see if you can get that grocery card, and make sure your plan fits your life and budget. I work with multiple carriers, so I’m not tied to one logo. You do not pay me. The plan does. I’m based in Madison but drive all over. I’m happy to meet at your kitchen table, a coffee shop, or the food bank. Call me when something breaks and I’ll fix it with you.
I don’t sell. I solve. Medicare and Medicaid help, no pressure, no fluff. You do not pay me. Contact me when you need me.
Q&A with Rhys Kern
How does the Part D "catastrophic coverage" phase work once I hit the out-of-pocket max?
Answer: Think of your drug costs like a meter. When it clicks up to the limit, the meter shuts off and you ride free on covered Part D meds through December 31. No more 5 percent surprise in “catastrophic.” The donut hole era is over, so it is just deductible, regular copays, then the cap and you’re done. Not covered or out of network drugs still don’t count, but for covered meds, you’re at $0 after the cap.
Pro tip: If an expensive med would slam you into the cap early in the year, you can use the new Prescription Payment Plan to spread your out of pocket over monthly payments instead of paying big chunks at the counter. Same total, smoother cash flow
What's the most frustrating misconception you have to clear up with clients about Medicare every year?
Answer: Every year people see the commercials and think October lets them change anything they want. It’s more like swapping cereal brands, not remodeling the kitchen. We can change Advantage and Part D in the fall, but Medigap’s easy signup only happens once when Part B begins. While we’re at it, “my doctor takes Medicare” doesn’t mean they take every Advantage plan, and a $0 premium doesn’t mean $0 costs
I am on disability insurance Medicare now I will be 65 in October do I have to to sign up for Medicare again?
Answer: You’re already on the ride, you don’t need a new ticket at 65. Your Part A and Part B keep going. The cool part is you get some fresh options if you want them. Starting in your birthday month you get a brand new six month Medigap window with no health questions, and a clean chance to pick a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan that fits better. If you like what you have, do nothing and it stays put. The only time you’d need to enroll is if you previously declined Part B or never had drug coverage and now want it, in which case we use your 7 month birthday window to add it.
I missed my Medigap window by a few months and now no one will cover me without underwriting. Why isn't this rule more well known?
Answer: Medigap has a one-time golden ticket that starts the day your Part B starts and lasts 6 months. Miss it and companies can ask health questions. It is not like the loud yearly Medicare commercials, which are almost all about Advantage plans, not Medigap.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Because Medicare is a maze and I’m your free tour guide. I shop all the plans, translate the fine print, line up your doctors and meds, catch gotchas like penalties and networks, and keep helping all year. You do not pay me. The plan you choose does.
Are home modifications (like stairlifts) ever covered by Medicare for safety reasons?
Answer: Medicare pays for stuff you can roll through the front door, not for hiring a carpenter. So Original Medicare won’t buy a stairlift or remodel your house. It will cover certain medical gear in the home like walkers, hospital beds, and patient lifts that pick you up, not lifts that take you up the stairs.
Where it sometimes works is with certain Medicare Advantage plans. Some of them set aside a “home safety” or “flex” benefit for things like grab bars, ramps, or small fixes when they’re medically necessary and preapproved. A few plans will entertain bigger items in special cases, but it’s very plan specific and not common. If someone also has Medicaid or is a veteran, there may be separate programs that help with home modifications.