Richard Smith, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Yes you can get Medicare without drawing your Social Security. Medicare starts at 65. Some people wait until 67 to draw their Social Security or even longer. When you get Medicare at 65 and decide to wait later for Social Security. You will be billed for your part B premium. Social Security usually will bill you 3 months at a time, but you can contact them to change that to monthly if you need to do that. Always talk to a local independent broker like myself. If you have any more questions feel free to contact me, Alpine Advantage Health Insurance.

Answer: There is no such thing as free groceries. These advertisements are usually for people on Medicaid and Medicare. However, there are some chronic special needs plans that have food cards with their plans. To qualify for these plans in my area of South Carolina you have to be diabetic or have cardiovascular disease or heart failure diagnosis by a doctor. There are some more qualifying conditions. For more information, contact me.

Answer: Make sure you are signed up with Medicare. If you are still working and have group insurance, all you need to do is sign up for Part A. If you are not covered through work insurance or you are in an ACA health plan, you need to sign up for Part A and Part B and Part D as a minimum to avoid late enrollment penalties. There are other options; see a local agent who can help you make the best decision that is right for you.

Answer: Medicare does not pay for this type of coverage. But if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, they generally provide some coverage. Medicare Advantage plans' coverage varies, so see a local agent who can help you find the best plan that fits your needs.

Answer: Check with your local agent to see if you are on the best plan. Especially during Annual Enrollment and Open Enrollment. If you are outside of these enrollment periods, you may have to wait to do anything. Not unless you qualify for a special enrollment period or qualify for a special needs plan.

Answer: No, if you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, you must go to a doctor that takes your Medicare Advantage plan if you are an HMO plan.

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan that is a PPO, you may go out of network, but you generally pay more for going out of network. There is a catch on this. Just because it is a PPO and you can go out of network, that provider must be willing to take your insurance. An out-of-network provider is not required to take your plan.

Answer: I would recommend going to your local Medicaid office and apply for Medicaid. They have different levels of Medicaid.

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, I would sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that has a Part B giveback. That could reduce your Part B premium where you might could afford it.

Answer: Search in Medicare Agents Hub for a local agent near you. Local agents are the best to talk to about your Medicare choices.

Answer: Once you meet your plan's max out-of-pocket, the plan usually pays 100% as long as you are in network with your plan. This is for health only. Drugs have their own deductible and max out-of-pocket that they don’t apply to the health deductible or health max out-of-pocket.

Answer: The maximum out-of-pocket for medication in 2026 is $2100.00 for the year. But the drug has to be on the formulary to count against the max out-of-pocket. Not unless you have some kind of exemption.

Answer: A local agent who lives in your community is going to know way more about what’s going on with the different plans, doctors, and medicine because they live or work in that community every day. They actually have hands-on experience using Medicare plans through themselves, helping family members or friends. A virtual or remote agent only knows what they see on a computer screen.

Answer: Great question! Your Medicare plan can still meet your needs as your health changes, but it depends on the type of plan you have and how often you review it. Check with a local agent to help you determine if you may need to change or not!