Sandra Kerley, Medicare Insurance Broker
Sandra Kerley
Kerley's Medicare Services
Medicare Broker Licensed in SC, IN, NC, OH, VA and VT
Contact Details
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Location
Boiling Springs, SC
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Phone
Sandra Can Help With:
About Me
Hello, I'm Sandra, your neighborhood Medicare insurance advisor. My expertise lies in the realm of Medicare, and my mission is to assist you in identifying the perfect plan tailored to your unique requirements and financial capacity. Allow me to navigate the array of plans available from both nationally and locally esteemed companies on your behalf. And don't worry, my services are provided free of charge! Contact me to discover your Medicare insurance alternatives and don't forget to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Sandra Kerley
What's the best way to avoid surprise bills for lab tests under Medicare Advantage?
Answer: If you know what kind of labs your going to need you can either look up the information in your summary of benefits or reach out to a licensed agent in your area to help you understand what those costs look like.
What do I need to do if I didn't take Medicare at 65 and am now retiring?
Answer: Reach out to social security office or apply online for your delayed part b. Then meet with a local licensed agent to speak with them about what type of plan may meet your needs best.
Every year I stress over picking a plan and still end up surprised by the bills. Is there any way to just get peace of mind with Medicare?
Answer: The best way to accomplish this would be speaking to a medicare broker. A local broker will be able to take all your needs and wants in consideration and should be able to give you a more defined look at what your costs should be based on the medical situations that you have.
I picked a PPO for the flexibility, but now every time I go out of network the bills are outrageous. What's the point of even having a PPO?
Answer: This is a great question. PPO only allows you to go out of network if the doctor agrees to the terms and conditions of the plan. HMO plans offer no out of network services at all. However, if your going to out of network due to traveling, and you know your travel plans in advance HMO plans are not as tight as they used to be. My mother is on a HMO in SC where we live. She has in network doctors/urgent care places she can go in New York when she visits my brother.
So with all these 2025 Medicare changes, should I be switching plans or staying put?
Answer: I recommend to all of my clients to advise me of any changes they may have had during the year. October 15th to December 7th is the time of year that you can change plans for the upcoming year. I have had some clients stay in same plan, I have had clients that change plans almost every year. Even if Medicare or your situation doesn't change. Plans do change every year. I recommend knowing your options every year. This response is all based on if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you had to pick just one, what's the worst Medicare-related decision someone can make?
Answer: The worst Medicare related decision anyone can make would be not working with a professional. When working with a professional licensed Medicare agent - make sure they look at all of your options for all carriers in your area. Make sure they educate you on how the plan they recommend for you will fit all of your current and pslossible future needs. And make sure they are very direct in all of your benefits.
If Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are better for long-term coverage, why don't more people choose them?
Answer: I feel like this answer can be best answered by why people choose them and why they don't.
Some reasons people choose Medicare Supplement:
They can afford the monthly premium - as they tend to be higher than the advantage plans and can afford the annual raise in cost.
There are no networks.
Prior authorizations are not required for services.
Referrals are not required for specialists.
Some reasons people choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare supplement:
Monthly premiums can be as low as $0.
They can include other coverages such as dental, vision, hearing and more.
Medicare Advantage Plans have a maximum out of pocket cost.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: I enjoy learning about their different lifestyles, the different things and places they have seen throughout their lifetime. I enjoy finding out their needs and finding not just plans that help them but other options that are out there that they may not be aware of. I enjoy taking the time to get to know them individually.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: That a PPO is always better than an HMO, especially when traveling, any carriers have doctors that are in network for their HMO plans in other cities and states. PPO does not guarantee your carrier will pay for out of network doctors. The doctor has to agree to the terms and conditions of the plan.
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: Make sure you speak with an agent that represents multiple carriers in your area. Every carrier has great options, but not every carrier can meet your specific wants and needs. Have a list ready to go with all your doctors, medicines, and medical wants and needs.