Satoshi Aoki, Medicare Insurance Agent
About Me
Hello, I'm Satoshi, 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! Call me at 925-818-2654 to discover your Medicare insurance alternatives and don't forget to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
日本語でもご相談ください。
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Satoshi Aoki
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: Explain the Medicare system and what is options available then my client understands.
My client was very happy with the plan he signed up for.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: Most people confuse the open enrollment period for the Medicare Advantage plan, Part D Plan, and Medicare Supplement plan.
My diabetes medication is super expensive, and I've heard horror stories about Part D not covering what people need. Should I go standalone Part D or get it through a Medicare Advantage plan?
Answer: I cannot say it is covered, and how much depends on what kind of medication you take and the Part D plan provided by the health insurance company. You should contact Medicare agents and make an appointment.
What's the financial risk of sticking with Original Medicare without a Medigap plan?
Answer: If you enroll in Medicare without a Medigap plan, you must pay a lot for medical care, especially Part A hospitalization.
For example, if you are hospitalized for 120 days, you will have to pay
Deductible: $1,676,
(61 days to 90 days): $419/day = $12,570
(91 days and after): $838/day = $25,140
TOTAL: $1,676+$12,570+$25,140= $39,386
, respectively, if you only have Medicare.
However, if you have a Medigap plan, you will be covered. A lot of Medigap plans will cover Part B depending on the type of Medicap plan.
For more information, it is a good idea to ask the agent from AGENTS HUB.
My friend lives in a different city and has a much more detailed Medicare plan. Is their plan dependent on their location?
Answer: Yes, If your friend enrolled Medicare Advantage plan, each plan is different compared with other cities or counties most likely.
Does Medicare cover emergency care if I'm traveling in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?
Answer: Yes, Puerto Rico is covered.
In most situations, Medicare won’t pay for health care or supplies you get outside the
U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S.,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
and the Northern Mariana Islands. There are some limited exceptions that would allow
you to get coverage outside the U.S. under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and
or Part B (Medical Insurance).
How can I save money on my Medicare Supplement?
Answer: If you only have Medicare Part A and Part B, most of the costs will be covered, but some are not. Medicare Supplement Plans are used to make up for those costs.
Example A(2025)
If you need to be hospitalized for 120 days
Part A does not cover(You have to pay)
Part A deductible: $1,676
61 day to 90 day: $419/ day = $12,570
91 day and after: $838/ day = $25,080
Total cost = $39,326
Most Medicare Supplement Plans will cover this cost.
Part B also covers 80% of the cost, but the remaining 20% will not be covered, but most Medicare Supplement Plans will.
Please consult with your agent for more details.
I've been on disability for years and am about to turn 65. Do I automatically get Medicare because I'm on Social Security, or do I need to do something?
Answer: If you already have Medicare benefits due to disability, you just continue to have your Medicare benefit. If you like to change your plan such as the Medicare supplement plan, you are eligible to an open enrollment period that begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday. Please ask your Medicare insurance agent.
If you don't have Medicare benefits now and have enough Medicare credit, you will automatically receive your medicare benefit.
I prefer to access to Social Security Administration on WEBSITE.
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
I'm caring for my dad who has Alzheimer's with lots of medications and I keep getting bills I don't understand. Any tips for not drowning in paperwork?
Answer: I will assume that you have power of attorney.
First, you will need to understand the details of your father's prescription drug insurance (Part D) and the types(tier) and numbers of medications he is taking.
Next, you will need to confirm where the bill came from and contact the insurance company to find out if the claim is valid.
(I also recommend making a bullet point list.)
Finally, many insurance companies allow you to check the medication status online.
We recommend that you speak to your agent for more information.
I'm confused about the different tiers in Medicare Part D plans. How do they affect what I pay for my medications?
Answer: Each prescription drug has a tier, and the amount you have to pay out of pocket varies depending on the type of drug.
Example:
TIER 1: Preferred Generic
TIER 2: Other Generic
TEAR 3: Preferred brand
TEAR 4: Brand
Special: Special
If you already have a Part D plan, we recommend you check with your insurance company or agent to find out what tier the drug you are taking is.
I have a family history of colon cancer. Will Medicare cover more frequent colonoscopies for someone in my situation?
Answer: Yes.
Medicare covers screening colonoscopies once every 24 months if you’re at high risk for colorectal cancer. If you aren’t at high risk, Medicare covers the test once every 120 months, or 48 months after a previous flexible sigmoidoscopy. There’s no minimum age requirement.
If you initially have a non-invasive stool-based screening test (fecal occult blood tests or multi-target stool DNA test) and receive a positive result, Medicare also covers a follow-up colonoscopy as a screening test.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/colonoscopies
What advice would you give to seniors who are feeling overwhelmed by all the Medicare options available?
Answer: First, I examine the client's current health condition as well as any concerns they may have about the future, and then I tell them what options are available.
Ultimately, it is the client who makes the decision, so I believe it is the agent's job to help them find the answer.
What's a common Medicare myth that even some agents still believe?
Answer: First, I will speak under the assumption that there is no Medicare myth among most agents.
I think some agents think that it is better to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan with Part A and Part B rather than a Medicare Advantage Plan. This is an assumption considering the advantages of the scope of coverage and the greater number of doctor choices.
Conversely, there may be agents who think that the Advantage Plan is better.
However, this differs depending on each customer's situation, so it is not absolute.
I think that the agent's role is ultimately to suggest which plan is most suitable for the customer's situation.
I'm confused by all the star ratings for Medicare plans. Do they actually mean anything for the care I'll receive?
Answer: Medicare Star Ratings measure the quality of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you should know about the star rating on your plan.
Star rating uses a 1 to 5-star scale.
A 5-star rating means excellent performance. The ratings are based on factors like member satisfaction, customer service, and health care quality. Plans with higher stars often offer better care and service. Ratings are updated yearly by Medicare to help beneficiaries compare plans and make informed choices. Choosing a higher-rated plan can improve your overall experience and access to care.
You may also switch to a 5-star plan during a special enrollment period, even outside of the usual enrollment times.