Sarah Rollins, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: I love helping people sort out the crazy that is Medicare. I ended up on Medicare during a period of disability, so I know how hard it can be to understand. Thankfully, I'm no longer disabled. However, I'm still passionate about helping people find the right coverage and, more importantly, helping people UNDERSTAND their coverage.

Answer: A broker is contracted with multiple insurance companies, and so has numerous plans to offer with no allegiance to one company or another. An agent is typically contracted with one company. Depending on your plan type, your needs might not match up to certain companies. If you work with an agent with limited plans, you may well end up on a plan that doesn't fit your needs. Working with a broker should give you a larger list of options.

Answer: I don't think you can answer this with a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has different needs with Medicare. Some people rarely see the doctor, while others are high consumers of medical services. There are certain situations when a client has certain medical or lifestyle conditions that prompts me to recommend a Medicare Supplement over a Medicare Advantage plan. However, that doesn't mean they wouldn't get good coverage in a Medicare Advantage plan. So to answer the question - if a Medicare Supplement plan is going to suit your unique needs better, then it would be worth it.

Answer: Medicare Supplement plans are technically medically underwritten - meaning the insurance company will look at your health history. Kind of like life insurance. If you are applying for a Medicare Supplement plan outside of your initial enrollment period, or outside of a special enrollment period, and if you have certain medical conditions, you might be denied.

Answer: This is impossible to answer! Everyone has a unique set of needs that results in different plans being better than others. This is why seniors should always work with a broker that is committed to learning about them, their lifestyle, and their medical and financial needs.

Answer: I always have a Medicare 101 with my clients that are new to Medicare. We discuss original Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Advantage. We go over their unique set of needs, and I can make recommendations based on that. When a client comes to me wanting to switch plans, I still go through and find out about their needs. I also check in to make sure they understand the plan they're currently on, and then we explore why they want to switch and what they think/hope they will gain by switching.

Answer: You don't have to change your coverage, but you will have the opportunity to change your coverage based on your move. You will have a Special Enrollment Period that gives you a certain amount of time to change, should you so desire. If you keep your current coverage, be sure to update your address with your Medigap plan, your Part D plan (if you don't have one, be sure to get one!), Social Security, and Medicare.

Answer: Work with a broker! We don't charge you, and we have access to lots of plans! Picking the right plan for you involves taking lots of things into consideration. What's good for your neighbor or your housecleaner or your sister's best friend's cousin may not be the right plan for you at all. Read online reviews and ask for referrals for a good broker, one that not only helps you enroll, but also is committed to being your ongoing advocate.

Answer: That's exactly what a broker is for! We are licensed with many different insurance companies, and are trained to evaluate your unique needs. We work with you to find the right plan (and that can change year to year!). And you don't pay us for our time. Win win!

Answer: When somebody has been on Social Security disability for 24 months, in the 25th month they become eligible for Medicare. Medicare automatically enrolls them in Part A and Part B.

My clients that have Medicare due to disability usually know their 25th month is approaching and they start working with me in preparation for that date. The enrollment window is 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after the 25th month of being on disability.

It’s very important to carry either a Medicare Supplement (and a Prescription Drug Plan)or aMedicare Advantage plan in addition to Part A and Part B to avoid the responsibility of 20% of all your medical costs.

Answer: Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans are by definition underwritten products, meaning you have to answer health questions. If you have a Special Enrollment Period, like you have moved recently, or if you are still in your Initial Enrollment Period, you might be able to switch during Annual Enrollment without underwriting. If you think you might be eligible, I recommend meeting with a certified Medicare broker to review your unique situation.