Rodrigo Ferrer, Medicare Insurance Broker
Rodrigo Ferrer
Sanson Insurance & Financial Services LLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in CT
22+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Cromwell, CT
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LinkedIn
Rodrigo Can Help With:
About Me
Rodrigo S. Ferrer has been working with seniors and Medicare beneficiaries since 2003. He is fully licensed, independent, and accredited as a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). He runs a family business Medicare insurance brokerage in Cromwell, CT. The goal of his family agency is to be objective and personalize counseling to Connecticut's senior and Medicare population.
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Q&A with Rodrigo Ferrer
What's the most important question I should be asking about Medicare that I probably haven't thought of yet?
Answer: Is my state a guaranteed issue state for Medicare supplements? It's a very good idea to know how your particular state deals with Medicare Supplements. Many states only guarantee a person can enter a supplement without underwriting at extremely specific periods. If you fall out of those period you may be in for a shock when you try to enroll. My home state of CT for example is a guaranteed issue state year round and never requires underwriting. That means, a person can get on a plan pretty easily but the cost of those plans are definitely higher than non-guaranteed issue states. A good broker will know how a person can go onto a supplement when a person has just basic Medicare, when a person has Medicare Advantage, and when a person moves off or is cancelled from a private plan.
I got a call from a "Medicare agent" promising me free groceries and I almost fell for it. Why is this kind of marketing allowed?
Answer: It's a very difficult thing to realize that everyday you are a prime target for scammers and thieves. That type of marketing isn't allowed or sanctioned by Medicare, but who's to stop it? A legitimate agent will not cold call you. It's illegal. A legitimate agent won't make false promises or mislead you. That's illegal too. A legitimate agent won't rush you to enroll or use scare tactics. Illegal and Illegal. So who can you trust? Remember what we all learned in kindergarten? Never talk to strangers. That may seem harsh, but it's a good rule of thumb. If someone calls you and you have not requested them to, it's illegal and most likely a scam. Ask some questions about the agent... where are they licensed (and license number), who do they represent, how long have they done this, what's their website etc etc. Get to know who you are dealing with so it's no longer just a stranger helping you with your Medicare. If not, buyer beware.
Why do some clients ignore your advice and end up in bad Medicare plans-what makes them resistant?
Answer: We can sometimes be our own worst enemies. In the YouTube era, it seems like you can DIY most things that probably should be done by a professional. Chances are the person in the DIY video is a professional in their field. If you could have the professional services of a career agent at no charge why would you not take their advice? Maybe they didn't seems to grasp your dilemma? Maybe your case is different from all the others? Maybe you just didn't get a good vibe. Or maybe, your second cousin who's been on Medicare 8 months is the family guru now. Could be a lot of reasons. As a broker with 22 years in the field I do my all to make my advice and recommendations tailor made to the new member. If there's still a cloud of doubt I recommend they get a second opinion before using my services. A good broker will show you good reasons as to why they are making the recommendation they are. They should present themselves as your advocate and stand by their commitment to see the plan through. Trust should be earned and not be taken for granted. If you have that trust after your meeting with your new advisor then go with them!
I'm confused about which vaccines Medicare covers. Can you explain which ones are free?
Answer: Need a shot? Medicare has you covered. Basically, vaccine coverage in Medicare either falls under Part B (outpatient) or Part D (prescription drug). If you want to prevent the flu, pneumonia, Covid, or Hepatitis B then those would be covered under your Part B usually at no charge. Things likes Shingles, RSV, and Tdap would fall under the Part D. Whichever part they fall under, Medicare takes vaccine coverage seriously. One other thing, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) then those that fell under Part B would be covered under that.
How do I appeal a decision by Medicare or my plan if they deny coverage for a procedure or medication I need?
Answer: If at first you don't succeed, try try again.... or file an appeal. If you have a Medicare Part C or Part D plan and something isn't covered or you disagree with a decision, you will file the appeal directly with your insurance carrier. You will get an official letter with steps that must be followed to file an appeal. If that appeal doesn't satisfy you then you can continue to appeal several more times. It's like taking a case all the way to the Supreme Court in a sense. If you were denied directly from Medicare itself then you have to file the instructions on the Summary Notice to appeal. It's a very good idea to always make sure that you support your appeal with any important information that should be known. If your doctor or health care provider can assist with this information, get it! Don't get discouraged and make sure you stand up for yourself. The Medicare appeal system is often underutilized and many people take that initial denial as the final decision. It's not! Fight on!
What should I do with my Medicare plan if I'm diagnosed with a rare disease requiring specialists?
Answer: This is why we take out insurance. If that were to occur then certainly it would be the time to use your Medicare plan to the fullest. Medicare plans are not designed to just treat common ailments. If you need to see specialist then see them. Work with your agent and plan to see if you would need to stick to a specific network or get referrals. It's good to get familiar with your plan's co-payments and deductibles before you get the care and treatment you require.
I'm on Medicare but recently declared bankruptcy due to medical bills. How will this affect my coverage and options going forward?
Answer: Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy in our country. A bankruptcy on your record wouldn't impact your coverage or options going forward. You would have and retain the same rights as any other person on Medicare.