Satoshi Aoki, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: Receiving an ANOC or rate increase notice usually means one thing: your premium is going up.

If you just received this notice around your birthday, now is the perfect time to act.

Under the Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment (Birthday Rule), you have a 60-day window from your birthday to shop around and switch to a different insurance company for the same plan—without any medical underwriting or health questions.

Since all standardized Supplement plans offer identical benefits, there is no reason to pay more for the same coverage.

Let’s review your new rate today and see how much we can save you by switching during your birthday window, before your birthday!

Answer: What are Lifetime Reserve Days?

There are 60 extra days of Medicare coverage if you are in the hospital for more than 90 days. You only get 60 of these days in your entire life—once you use them, they are gone.

How a Supplement Plan Helps:

Pays the Cost: Without a supplement, these days are very expensive (about $868 per day in 2026). Your Supplement plan pays this for you.

Adds 365 Days: Once you use up your original 60 days, a Supplement plan gives you an additional 365 days of hospital coverage over your lifetime.

The Bottom Line:

A Supplement plan protects you from massive hospital bills by giving you over a year of extra coverage that Original Medicare does not provide.

Official Resource:

You can find the full details on the official Medicare website here:

Medicare.gov - Inpatient Hospital Care

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-hospital-care

Answer: ​That is a very common question!

​Here is the simple truth about Medicare Supplement insurance: The plans are standardized.

​This means that Plan G is Plan G, no matter who sells it. Company A and Company B provide the exact same coverage. Because the benefits are identical, you are essentially shopping for the best price and company stability.

​I usually advise my clients not to overpay for a "brand name," because the medical coverage does not change.

​I would be happy to show you which companies are currently offering the best rates in your zip code.

Answer: Yes, you can be denied a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, but only after your open enrollment period or if you don’t have guaranteed issue rights. During your first six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B, you cannot be denied coverage. After that, the insurance company may review your health history and they can deny your application based on medical conditions.

Answer: “Medicare does not cover medical marijuana, even when it is prescribed for chronic pain or cancer. Because marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law and has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no part of the Medicare program can pay for it. However, certain FDA-approved cannabinoid drugs (derived from cannabis compounds) can be covered by Medicare prescription drug plans, if listed on your plan’s formulary.”

https://www.medicare.org/articles/does-medicare-cover-medical-marijuana/?utm_source

Answer: That’s a great question. Medicare generally covers most medical expenses related to a serious illness, such as hospital and doctor costs. However, Critical Illness Insurance serves a different purpose — it provides a lump-sum payment you can use for non-medical expenses like lost income, house mortgage, or daily living costs while you recover. It’s more about financial support beyond what Medicare covers.

Answer: With Medigap Plan G, your knee replacement surgery will be covered by Medicare Part A and Part B first. Once you’ve met your annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2025), Plan G will pay the remaining approved costs — meaning you’ll have no additional out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare-approved services.

Answer: Each plan has Pros and Cons, and if you already have original Medicare with a Medicare supplement plan, you might stay with your plan. Here are the Pros and Cons.

Medicare Advantage (Part C):

Pros: Lower monthly premiums, includes extras like dental and vision, etc(each plan is different)

Cons: Limited provider network, may need referrals, variable out-of-pocket costs

Original Medicare + Supplement (Medigap):

Pros: Freedom to see any doctor nationwide, predictable costs, no referrals needed

Cons: Higher premiums, doesn’t include dental or vision coverage

Everyone’s situation is unique, and I’d be happy to help you review your options and find what gives you the most peace of mind.

Answer: I understand, and many people feel the same way.

One of the best ways to get peace of mind is to work with a licensed Medicare agent who can help you choose a plan that fits your health needs and budget, and explain costs clearly. I’d be happy to help make things simple and stress-free for you.

Answer: Medicare will pay for your medical care, but it does not cover room, meals, or personal care in assisted-living facilities, so seniors usually need other resources (private funds, long-term-care insurance, or Medicaid) to pay those costs.

Answer: If you already have a Part D drug plan, please contact your agent or your insurance customer service. If you don't have a Part D plan and this is first time to get your coverage, you can access to Medicare.gov and get your answer.

Answer: 2 types of coverage have advantages and disadvantages:

Medigap:

Higher monthly premiums, but allows you to use any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare. Out-of-pocket costs are generally low and predictable. Prescription drug coverage and extra benefits (such as dental or vision) are not included and require separate plans.

Medicare Advantage:

Lower or sometimes zero monthly premiums, and plans include extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage(but not every plan). However, you are limited to network providers in your local area, and sometimes doctors or facilities decide to discontinue, and the plan details can change each year.

Answer: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. If you only have Original Medicare, you’ll typically have to pay out of pocket for hearing aids and related services. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer hearing benefits. You should check your plan if you have a Medicare Advantage plan with your agent or health insurance company.

Answer: It is important to choose a Part D plan even if you are healthy when you turn 65. If you delay your application, you will incur a penalty and have to pay additional premiums. Furthermore, the penalty will continue.

reference

https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/costs

Answer: Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters) and

wheelchairs as durable medical equipment (DME) if:

• The doctor treating your condition submits a written order stating that you have a

medical need for a wheelchair or scooter for use in your home.

• You have limited mobility and meet all of these conditions:

– You have a health condition that causes significant difficulty moving around in

your home.

– You’re unable to do activities of daily living (like bathing, dressing, getting in

or out of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom) even with the help of a cane,

crutch, or walker.

– You’re able to safely operate and get on and off a wheelchair or scooter, or have

someone with you who is always available to help you.

– Both the doctor treating you for the condition that requires a wheelchair or

scooter, and the DME supplier of the wheelchair or scooter, accept Medicare.

– Your doctor or DME supplier has visited your home and verified that you can

use the equipment within your home (for example, it’s not too big to fit through

doorways in your home).

WEBSITE: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11046-medicare-coverage-of-wheelchairs-scooters.pdf

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

Answer: Yes, If your friend enrolled Medicare Advantage plan, each plan is different compared with other cities or counties most likely.

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.

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.

Answer: Most people confuse the open enrollment period for the Medicare Advantage plan, Part D Plan, and Medicare Supplement plan.

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.