Rick Ried, Medicare Insurance Broker
Rick Ried
Medicare Broker Licensed in AZ
Contact Details
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Location
San Tan Valley, AZ
Rick Can Help With:
About Me
Hi! My name is Rick, and I am your dedicated Medicare consultant and agent. My focus is on Medicare, and I am committed to assisting you in finding the most suitable plan that aligns with your unique needs and budgetary constraints. I will tackle the challenge of sifting through plans from nationally and locally recognized companies, so you don't have to. What's more, my services are entirely free! Reach out to me today to explore your Medicare insurance options and be sure to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Rick Ried
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: Medicare agents are very highly trained in Medicare and the programs offered by insurance companies and other providers.
Their services are mostly offered at no cost to Medicare clients and can be invaluable to Medicare recipients.
Your local Medicare agent is knowledgeable about local conditions and options to help you maximize your earned benefits.
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: Medicare advantage PPOs offer more flexibility for clients but at a higher cost. That flexibility can be a critical advantage if the client lives in a smaller community with fewer providers.
An HMO is designed to be the most cost effective solution for clients. This works well in larger metro areas due to wider availability of providers and facilities.
An HMO can be more restrictive with referrals and defined networks. Some HMOs have stricter preauthorisation requirements designed to contain costs.
Each client should discuss their personal situation with an agent to chose the best option.
My neighbor says I'm crazy for paying for a Medigap plan when Medicare Advantage is "free." What should I tell him?
Answer: Medigap provides very comprehensive coverage for medical care. It does not provide dental,vision, hearing or prescription drugs. These coverages must be purchased separately.
This leads to medigap plans being expensive in comparison to Medicare advantage plans that often cover these items at little to no additional cost.
Both are viable ways to access your Medicare benefits.
I went to a free Medicare seminar and it felt like a timeshare pitch. Are any of those events actually helpful?
Answer: The simple answer is yes they are potentially helpful.
If you look at it as free education from an industry expert it can be very useful.
I approach these seminars as educational and strive to have those that attend be much better informed on their options
Can I enroll in Medicare if I've never paid into Social Security due to working overseas?
Answer: In order to be eligible for Medicare and receive Part A at no cost, you must have worked and contributed to the program for 40 quarters or 10 years.
If you have worked for 30 quarters you will have to pay $285 in 2025.
If you have worked less than 30 quarters you will need to pay the full cost of $585 in 2025.
You may also be eligible based on a working spouses work history.
I just got a $300 bill for an ambulance ride I thought was covered. Am I the only one who didn't know Medicare doesn't pay for all emergency transport?
Answer: Many of the services and benefits under Medicare have deductibles and co-pays.
This is one that falls under part B and is subject to a potential 20% co-pay.
A medigap plan or a Medicare advantage plan may have different co-pays
How does losing a spouse impact my Medicare plan if I was on their employer coverage?
Answer: Since you have lost the employer plan through your spouse's work, it creates a special enrolment period that allows you to obtain coverage under Medicare if you are eligible for Medicare.