Steve Houchens, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: To start with Advantage plan aren’t free, they may be zero premium to you but they are subsidized by the government so technically not free. The big thing for you to understand the difference in coverage. Where as with a Medicare Supplement depending on your plan you may be out no more than the annual part B deductible which is $288 per year at this point and you can see any doctor that excepts Medicare , which is about 98% of doctors and you can go anywhere in the US, but you will have a monthly premium to pay plus you will need to ad a Prescription Drug Plan and dental and vision if you need those. With advantage plans you will have co-pays and possible deductibles and you could have out of pocket maximum from as few thousand up to possibly $9000 or more, but your Perscription drug plan is built in as well as dental and vision and possibly other benefits. There are pros and cons to each type of coverage and the best way to determine which is best for you would be to sit down with a qualified agent and compare then make your choice.

Answer: Yes there is extra help based off your income. It’s called the Medicare Savings Program. An agent can help you apply or you can do so through your local Medicaid office. There are different level of help based off your income.

Answer: If you’re still working and have coverage from your employer you do not need part B until you’re ready to enroll in a Medicare Plan. If you enroll in part B while you still have other coverage you will be paying your part B premiums which are $203 a month for something you don’t need.

Answer: Because plans are yearly contracts and may change every year. That’s why it’s important to do a yearly review of your options

Answer: Because plans are yearly contracts and renew yearly. Benefits may change every January as also can drug plans , deductibles and co-pays

Answer: To qualify for Medicare you have to be 65 or under 65 with disability or certain qualifying conditions. You have to have worked and paid in for at least 40 quarters to qualify for part A and part B has a $203 monthly premium unless you qualify for extra help.

Answer: Without knowing what your current plan covers there isn’t anyway to give you a definitive answer to your question. Someone would have to be able to compare the plans but generally speaking for instance a Medicare Supplement plan G covers pretty much everything with minimal exceptions. You should sit down with and agent and compare all your options.

Answer: The part B premiums for 2026 will be $206. These rates are set by CMS : Center For Medicare Services. Not sure what drives the rates.

Answer: There are several ways with probability the best would be to sit down with a reputable agent or broker to look at all options and explain different plans and benefits. You can do it yourself by going to Medicare.gov but there is actually no one to explain things that way but it is an option.

Answer: You will most likely automatically be enrolled in Part A but if you still have coverage through your employer then you will want to delay your part B enrollment to avoid having to pay your part B premium which will be $206 a month starting in 2026. If you have credible coverage through your employer you will not get a late enrollment penalty for delaying enrollment in Part B

Answer: That would depend completely on whether or not your doctors would take the plan that you choose. And the smart thing to do would be to pick a plan that your doctors except.

Answer: You would need to set an appointment with an agent to help you with this. You would need to bring your medicare card, all your doctors names and your prescriptions to the appointment to be able to compare plans and see what works best for you

Answer: Generally agents are paid commissions for enrolling clients into plans and do not charge clients for their services. The difference could be if you work for an insurance advisor. You can earn commissions or charge for advice but you can’t do both.

Answer: As agents we are paid by whichever companies plans we sell. All k pl at agents the same amount which is approved by CMS. That way there is generally no incentive to sell one plan over another. This could be different is someone is a captive agent which means they can only sell particular plans as opposed to independent agents or brokers that can sell for multiple companies

Answer: Original Medicare or Medicare Supplements don’t cover hearing aids but many Medicare Advantage plans do cover hearing aids. You should talk with an agent to see what plans offer the best coverage.

Answer: Your Medicare Part B premiums are based on income and may be higher in your income is over a certain amount and also may be lower if you qualify for extra help getting it paid. If you are paying higher that the standard that will be $206 a month starting 2026 but if you income drops after retirement they can look back for two years and if you income falls in line with the standard premium it can be adjusted later.

Answer: A couple of options are available. First a Medicare Supplement will cover most the cost you can incur along the way or a C-Snap or Cronic Special Needs Plan specially for kidney disease.

Answer: Sounds like when you went with original Medicare you didn’t add a Supplement which is a major mistake. Medicare only pays the first 80% but there is no cap on how much the 20% can be because there is no stop loss point. You either need a Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan , one or the other. If not you can incur great cost.

Answer: If you choose original Medicare Part A & B coverage the first 80% then you are responsible for the remaining 20% with no cap or stop loss on how much you could be liable for. That’s why you need to choose a Medicare Supplement or Medigap Plan or possibly a Medicare Advantage plan to protect you from potential liability.

Answer: Most cost are the same with a few exceptions. If you have worked and paid in social security taxes for 40 quarters or 10 years your Part A Medicare is no premium, if you haven’t worked and paid in for 40 quarters you will pay some level of premium. Part B for most people starting next year will be $206. If you income is over a certain level then you will pay more based on income. On the flip side of that if your income is below certain levels you can get help paying your part B premiums.

Answer: You would need to enter all your medications into a platform that allows you to compare coverage and companies. You can also do it yourself on Medicare.gov or health.com. Any good agent should be willing and able to run it for you as well.

Answer: The donut hole no longer exist. It was ended in 2025. Drugs are capped in 2025 at $2,000 for the year and that cost goes up to a max of $2,100 for 2026. There is also a monthly payment plan set up now that you can enroll in if you choose that breaks that down monthly so you don’t have to come up with high out of pocket costs until you hit the max out of pocket.

Answer: There are multiple types of plans. HMO, PPO, C-SNP , D-SNP, Give back plans. Best things would be to reach out to an agent for explanations oh each plan

Answer: It’s hard to know with limited knowledge of the situation is hard to know if you made a mistake. There are many plan with low to zero premiums and there can always be additional out of pocket costs. The most important thing to know is there are inexpensive ways to fill those gaps and reduce costs such as Hospital Indemnity plans. It’s important to understand your coverage and work with an agent that explains these things so you fully understand what you are getting and what to expect and how to handle those possibilities.

Answer: You are most likely already on part A and if you delayed part B due to working you have 8 months to enroll in Part B to avoid incurring a penalty for late enrollment. As long as you had credible coverage through an employer or other coverage you will no incur a late enrollment penalty for part B or part D , but you will need to get enrolled for both. You can enroll in part B through Social Security or Medicare.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are not free and anyone using that verbiage is misleading and breaking CMS rules. They may be zero premium but that does not mean free. Zero premium means it cost you nothing but they aren’t free because they are subsidized by the government. Free and zero premium is not the same.

Answer: Get with an agent and run a comparison between the two plans. Determine what are the most importance benefits for you compared to cost and coverage of each plan.

Answer: This rule is pretty much well known. The guaranteed issue initial enrollment. Is three months before your 65th birthday month the month you turned 65 and three months after your 65th birthday month. That is a 7 month enrollment period for guaranteed issue. It’s easily found on my publications, through the Social Security or Medicare by calling or checking online. This relates to a Medicare Supplement plan as there are no health underwriting for Medicare Advantage plans as long as you haven’t missed an enrollment period, if you did you will have to wait for a qualified enrollment period.

Answer: The answer is yes if someone had been disenrolled from a C-SNP plan they are given the opportunity to enroll into another plan that they are eligible for.

Answer: You can expect many changes this year just as any other year. Those changes however cannot be discussed or shared until the start of AEP on October 1 for plans going into effect January 1, 2026.

Answer: Yes you do need to enroll in Medicare. Depending on if you have Tricare or just VA benefits in general would depend on what type plan you need. Generally most Veterans do well with Medicare Advantage plan for veterans that don’t have drug plan attached to it so it doesn’t affect your VA drug benefits

Answer: You are able to change your plan a couple of times a year. First being during the AEP ( Annual Election Period) from October 15- December 7, the next time is OEP ( Open Enrollment Period) from January 1-March 31. The only other time is during SEP (Special Election Period) which is when you have a triggering event such as a change in eligibility for Medicaid or Medicare , moving outside your area of coverage for your carrier or a national disaster or something along those lines.

Answer: Anyone you wish may be able to help you with decisions but for them to make changes or anything along that line they would need to be appointed as Power Of Attorney. Just to give advice they can do that without anything legal.

Answer: If you are satisfied with the plan you have and that plan is renewing there isn’t anything you need to do. It may be a good idea to review plans for the coming year in case there is a potential new plan to serve you better.

Answer: Where or not you need to change plans would depend on if your plan didn’t cover the new medication and another plan did. You would simply need to check if your medication is covered in the formulary or not.

Answer: Basically to explain it doesn’t mean zero cost would be to go over all benefits of the plan and go through explanations of benefits. Zero premium means no cost to the client for the plan but doesn’t state or imply anywhere that there are zero cost associated with the benefits you receive.

Answer: Well there are several variables that need to be known to answer your question. First it would be necessary to know what type plan you are on, if that be a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan and what type plan you currently have.

Answer: You should definitely talk with an agent to discuss options and be sure you understand those options. There are certain specifics that need to be done before anyone can discuss plan details about Medicare Advantage and Perscription Drug plans such as a Scope Of Appointment to give permission to discuss certain aspects. Its important to know and understand the deferences between the types of plans available.

Answer: There are some variables needed to be know to give you a good answer. First if you’re planning on delaying your Medicare until 70, does this mean you will continue to work and if you do will you have alternative credible coverage from an employer or spouse. If you don’t sign up for Part B and Part D when first eligible then you will start accruing a penalty on both those that will never go away. You need to discuss options with someone with all information needed before making a decision

Answer: If you didn’t sign up for a supplement when you were in your initial enrollment period and you’re guaranteed issue during that period then you can be declined if you cannot pass the health underwriting. If you are in good health you may be able to able to pass underwriting.

Answer: Without knowing what plan you have there is no way I can answer this question. You could call your provider or insurance carrier to ask that question. There is nothing here that indicates what type plan you have and there are different coverages to many plans. A good sourse would be to ask whoever sold you your plan.

Answer: Actually it’s very much an advantage to working with a broker or agent. A good agent should be able to answer any questions you may have and it’s also important in my mind to work with someone that represents more than one company so you can be sure you’re getting the best plan for you and not just one in cases where that is the only company they represent

Answer: ITMAA charges are based on your income levels. The basic is generally $185 for the upcoming year. This can be lower or you can receive help paying this if your income is very low or can actually be higher if your income exceeds certain levels. An agent can get you the most current levels so you know what to expect.

Answer: Expecting out of pocket cost for surgery would depend on what type plan you have. Most times with a Medicare Supplement plan there are generally no additional costs unless you need to meet your part B deductible. With advantage plans you may expect copays or coinsurance cost but these should be explained to you when enrollment happens so that you know fully what to expect.

Answer: If you are unable to prove credible coverage you may incur additional costs penalty of either Medicare part B or part D if you didn’t enroll when you were first eligible.

Answer: The answer to that is no. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that replaces original Medicare and that is no longer the payee for your coverage. If you do show your Medicare card it will be denied. You should always make sure your doctors are in network for your plan. If you go to a provider out of network you may incur additional costs. You can either change plans to one your doctor accepts or you can choose to change doctors.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plan may be able to save significantly due to many having a zero premium and offering additional coverage such as dental, vision and drug coverage all in one plan. You can look at and compare benefits with a licensed and certified agent.

Answer: The SOA is sent to the client before the meeting for the client to complete their portion first. The agent would complete their portion after the meeting with the client. This can be sent several different ways which could include mail, electronically or email. Who sends it shouldn’t matter but the agent would have to complete their part themselves after the appointment with the client.

Answer: The inflation reduction act puts a cap on the cost of medications at $2,000 for the year which is a big reduction. There is also a payment plan you can choose to participate in which allows you to stretch out the payments throughout the year to help make it easier to pay large copayments up front until you reach the cap.

Answer: The cheapest way to get basic coverage would be with a Medicare Advantage plan. Many have zero premiums and many extra benefits such as dental, vision and drug coverage all included.

Answer: The best reason is that Medicare can be somewhat complicated and difficult for many to understand. There are many rules and regulations that the average person may not be aware of. The reason to work with a professional is the fact that they are trained in this area and to maintain annual recertifications to keep up with any changes in the marketplace and things can and do change from one year to the next.

Answer: It is possible to receive a late enrollment penalty if you don’t enroll in Medicare par B or part D when you are eligible. The exceptions are if you are still working and have employer coverage or have other credible coverage from a spouse or something like VA.

Answer: I personally don’t see it as a concern but just an option. Many people may not be able to afford a Medicare Supplement plan plus drup plan plus dental, bison and hearing plans. It’s simply an alternative that give a choice. There isn’t a such thing as a one size fits all coverage as everyone’s needs and financial situation is different.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to original Medicare and Medigap Plans. They couple medical and drug coverage together and many have extra benefits included which could include free gym memberships , dental, vision and hearing coverage, spendable cards with many of them having a zero premium. They are mainly an alternative and worth comparing when looking at what options best fits your personal needs.

Answer: It is a very good idea to meet with more than one agent or broker. Nothing wrong with getting more than one option or opinion for your coverage before you make a final decision.

Answer: Some Medicare Advantage plans offer some coverage for hearing aids You would just need to compare plans and see which plans offer the best coverage for you.

Answer: Clients will end paying a part Bor D penalty due to not signing up when they are first eligible to do so. There are certain enrollment periods for Part B & Part D and as long as you enroll during those periods there are no penalties

Answer: Your income will not affect your Medicare eligibility. What it could affect is how much your part B premium would be. That is based on your annual income and the standard is $185 a month , but if your income is over a certain amount that premium can go up and also if your income is low enough, you can also get extra help to help pay for that premium. But your income loan will not affect your eligibility for Medicare that is based on age, and if you have paid in enough over the years to qualify for it

Answer: No you don’t have to sign up again but since you are aging in you will have a new guaranteed issue enrollment. If you choose to enroll in a Medicare supplement plan. You can check all your options and see what is the best for you to do.

Answer: Plans do not have to cover every medication available and all formularies may vary from plan to plan. If there is a specific medication that you need your doctor can request a formulary exception to try to get approval. You may have to try other similar medications first to see if they work for you but if not all that will need to out through you doctor.

Answer: Generally they come out around October or November so to give time to review before AEP is over. If you don’t receive yours in appropriate time you may call your plan or your agent to help you get one.

Answer: They will generally come out around October or November to give you a chance to review before AEP is over.

Answer: Most hospitals, public and private except original Medicare and supplement plans with exceptions being VA hospitals are something along that line. Medicare Advantage plans are different as hospitals may require you to use on that is in network for that specific plan. In case of emergency they all much except as in network.

Answer: Dental implants are generally not covered by original Medicare. Some exceptions may exist in the case if it was medically necessary such as having jaw reconstruction due to an accident or something along those lines. Some advantage plans or stand alone dental plans may cover partial cost but you would just need to shop and compare benefits as coverage varies greatly between plans.

Answer: Generally no, the only possible reason would be if the company went under but if that happened you would have a chance to get another plan of the same type guaranteed issue. The only reason they could terminate your specific coverage would be for non payment of premiums or fraud or abuse.

Answer: Some options would be to see if your doctor could prescribe a medication that would work for you issues that have a cheaper co-pay , shop to see if there is a plan that covers your medications better because plan formularies do differ. You could also see if you qualify for extra help getting those medications covered

Answer: There used to be 4 stages to drug coverage starting with the deductible phase then the initial coverage phase then after you reached that phase of money spent you hit the coverage gap (doughnut hole) then the catastrophe phase and all done you could be out approximately $8,000 , now there is not coverage gap and an annual max out of pocket of $2,000 and also the option of a payment plan to spend out the cost for the year which may make it easier if you have very expensive medication that have high copays

Answer: Some specialists require a referral not necessarily a requirement from the plan, but you still need to use doctors within the network or you will pay more for their services.

Answer: The best was is to work with an agent that is contracted to sell multiple plans so you have more than one option. If you are already in a plan each year you can shop for a different plan if you like and if you use the Birthday Rule that will give you a guaranteed issue./For 60 days after your birthday each year, and if you don’t use that, you would have to go through underwriting and possibly see if you could get a plan that was cheaper if you qualified.

Answer: You and your initial enrollment. Which is three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turned 65 and three months after you turned 65. During this time you have a guaranteed issue. In which you can join a Medicare Supplement without any underwriting.

Answer: The main change for 2025 is with the inflation reduction act the out of pocket cap is at $2000 annually which is a big reduction over the past years and also a payment plan was put into effect to stretch the cost out over the year so you don’t have to come out of pocket for those big hits until you hit the max out of pocket.

Answer: I would be skeptical if any agent pushed one plan over another if that be an Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement. Many agents may not be certified to sell advantage plans as you need specific training to sell them so they might push what they can sell which limits your options. It’s best to talk with an agent that can sell both types of plans as well as represents multiple carries to be able to actually choose the plan that fits your needs the best. There is no one size fits all. Check all your options.

Answer: Plan N is a very comprehensive plan but the best way to know for sure is to call the customer service number on the back of your card but your doctor should be able to check and see as well with no problem.

Answer: You will be bombarded with junk mail from many sources and your best option is to find an agent you trust to guide you through your choices. Unfortunately I don’t know a way to stop the mail. I am an agent and on Medicare myself and I receive mail and sales calls regularly. Calls are a little easier to stop sometimes but mail is a little different due to the fact that there is no regulations against mailing like there all for unsolicited calls

Answer: Some plans do have coverage for things along that line although it may not cover the complete cost. You would need to shop plans and find the best options available

Answer: A PPO will give you freedom to go to any doctor you choose without a referral from a primary care physician but if you go out of network you will pay more out of pocket but PPO plans do have networks just like an HMO the main difference if your primary care physician does not have to direct all your care.

Answer: You would need to get an attorney involved and become their legal power of attorney or their medical decisions. That would need to be done before you could legally do anything along those lines.

Answer: You should talk with an agent or someone that knows and understands both options. Both are good and just different. The most important thing is to understand fully the differences and choose which is best for you. I don't believe in a one size fits all approach. Know your options and choose from there.

Answer: Hospitals do accept Medicare Advantage although they can pick and choice which plans they accept to be in network for. Its always important when picking a plan to make sure if the hospital you would want to use accepts the plan you are looking at. They are not obligated to take every plan offered excepted in an emergency situations.

Answer: Medicare savings programs can help in many ways depending of your income and what you qualify for. It can help pay for a portion or all your part A or B premiums and also help with out of pocket prescription cost. All depends on what you personally qualify for.

Answer: In my experience that can be a common problem of finding dentists in networks for all plans. If you have a specific dentist that you want to keep then you should try to find a plan that your specific dentist accepts but just be sure you aren’t giving up other benefits that may be more important. There are different solutions to this problem that could include getting a stand alone dental plan or some plans offer a reimbursement type coverage that allows you to go to anyone you want and submit a claim to reimburse you directly. Most importantly it’s best to weigh all benefits and choose the plan that fits the most important benefits you need if that be dental or another benefit that more important. Just be sure you understand all the benefits your plan offers.

Answer: In my experience anyone that has been unhappy with an advantage plan has been due to not having had benefits fully explained to or didn't understand potential out of pocket cost that could be involved. Generally it comes down to not understanding the coverage completely.

Answer: Without knowing what type plan you have versus what type plan your friend has it’s very hard to give a specific answer but it could be the difference between having a Medigap plan versus a Medicare Advantage plan. It could depend on what is available in your area but definitely sounds like it’s not an apples to apples comparison. That only way to know for sure would be to discuss it with an agent to review your options

Answer: You should absolutely know both and understand all your options before making a choice. There are many differences and you should talk with someone that will explain all options to you.

Answer: That would depend on your own personal needs and financial situation. You would need to talk to an agent that is versed and knowledgeable on both plans and can explain all options available to you and what would work best for you personally. I don’t feel there is a one size fits all plan but should be individualized for you.

Answer: Depending on you financial situation you could possibly be eligible for LIS or low income subsidy or possible or help available and I feel it’s always worth checking for any extra help you qualify for.

Answer: The open enrollment period is to give a chance to change plans for any reason your are happy with the plan you have if that be network issues or just find another plan that suits your needs better.

Answer: My personal thoughts on this matter is that hospital indemnity policies are extremely important to couple with a Medicare Advantage plan to help fill the gaps and help offset the potential out of pocket costs to the client. They are generally inexpensive and in my opinion well worth the cost.

Answer: After you have been on disability for 24 months you are then eligible for Medicare. This will go back to your entitlement date to start the 24 months counting period.

Answer: Well when you say original Medicare with a part D plan you are leaving out the most important factor which is also having a Medicare Supplement or Mefigap plan. If you have original Medicare paired with a Medicare Supplement, then you do not have to worry about Network and finding doctors that will accept the plan.

Answer: Maximum out out pocket or MOOP is referring to medical cost and the most you will spend out of pocket for the year. This doesn't include prescription cost as that is a totally different issue. MOOP is after any deductibles and copays have been met it will be the most you will have to pay for any medical cost.

Answer: The short answer is no. Medicare only pays the first 80% which Leaves you with 20% to pay with no cap on the out of pocket meaning if you were to have a hospital bill of $100,000 dollars your amount you would owe would be $20,000. And that amount might sound high but I had a client last year that had an outpatient hysterectomy and her bill was $97,000. So you definitely need a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan to protect you and at least limit your potential out of pocket cost.

Answer: It’s important to follow up to make sure that they completely understood what they were told by their agent and to make sure that if they were enrolled in a plan that they knew and understood that they were in fact changing coverage

Answer: Credible coverage is drug coverage that pays at least as much as what Medicare would cover. It is important to avoid a possible penalty on your future prescription drug plan if you don’t enroll in a plan when you are eligible to do so.

Answer: There are already strict marketing practices in place for agents. Although some may not follow the rules in place and particularly seems to be issues with call centers mostly those from outside the USA. Its always helps to get to know your agent and more than just an unknown voice on the other end of the phone.

Answer: No, in most cases, Medicare does not cover medical care received outside the United States However there are some exceptions and some Medicare Supplements may cover some emergency coverage for travel abroad. It’s important to know what your plan offers.

Answer: This is known very well by the Medicare market and it is pretty much going to hit its peak by 2030. This is not a surprise as it’s been known for a very long time. There may be changes and adjustments made but it isn’t going to blindside the industry.

Answer: Yes many do. It’s important to know the limitations involved for your specific plan, so be sure to ask questions and check those situations before you make a choice on your plan if that’s an important issue for you.

Answer: Yes Medicare covers these but only if they are prescribed by a doctor. There may be some cost sharing for the client but there are also companies available to help with or eliminate the out of pocket cost in many cases.

Answer: A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit focuses on preventative care and health planning, including a health risk assessment, review of medical history, and creation of a personalized prevention plan, but it's not a full physical

Answer: Yes, Medicare generally covers asthma and other breathing conditions. It covers treatments like inhalers, nebulizers, and medications for conditions like asthma and COPD

Answer: Being a senior myself I am very pleased with the coverage that I received, although like everything in life most things can be improved upon. Health care in general could probably use some improvements in many ways.

Answer: Medicare generally covers part-time or intermittent home health care services when medically necessary, especially after a hospital stay or skilled nursing facility stay. This includes skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services, as well as medical social services and some home health aide care if it's related to skilled care. Medicare, however, does not cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, or personal care when it's the sole need. You can find more extensive break down online if you search or sit down with an agent sometime to go over all of it.

Answer: I don’t see it as suspicious. Some plans offer additional extra benefits but these shouldn’t be used as incentives to sell or for a client to buy. Different plans may offer different things to set them apart from other carriers but your decision on which plan to purchase should never be the reason to but that plan but to pick a plan that best fits your personal medical needs.

Answer: There are a few different types of Special Needs Plans. First a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan or D-SNP, is for people that are Medicare & Medicaid eligible. Second there are Chronic Special Needs Plans, C-SNP which are for people with a chronic disease or illness such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, COPD and other specific illnesses.

Answer: In all honesty I have no idea how or what could happen in the next decade. There are changes to the Medicare marketplace every year but I have no idea what could change over the next 10 years

Answer: The cheapest plan may or may not be your best choice. Depending on your personal needs and budget. It’s always best to look at and compare all your options and be sure you understand the differences in each plan. There is no one size fits all and it’s much better to discuss your choices with a licensed agent rather than depending on options of anyone that isn’t trained and certified to explain all options and not just select plans.

Answer: It depends on your personal needs and what you can afford. Some people feel more comfortable with a higher end plan and others may rather save the money. Much like some people prefer a luxury car while others like an economy car, both with get you to your destination. It’s a personal choice.

Answer: The difference is in the plan itself, some plans offer it and some don’t. In some cases plans that offer SilverSneakers may have a slightly higher premium.

Answer: From an agent or broker stand point it has made enrollment much easier and quicker with electronic enrollments and makes it harder to make mistakes on applications and also much easier to do comparisons between plans as you can compare plans side by side

Answer: It’s important mainly because in the past you could have potentially spent over $8,000 out of pocket to go through all stages of the coverages. For people on lots of medications or high cost meds this a can be a very big savings

Answer: That is covers everything which it does not. Medicare A & B covers 80% and no cap for possible liability. Also doesn’t cover things such as dental, vision or hearing or prescription drugs. You need to either purchase a Supplement or Advantage plan to cover those things.

Answer: Medicare Part B, also known as medical insurance, helps cover medically necessary doctor's services, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services, but generally not inpatient hospital care or long-term care. However it’s only covers 80% with no cap on possible out of pocket cost which is why you need to purchase either a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan to protect yourself from some possible large out of pocket cost and limit you liability.

Answer: Either call your agent or the plan itself to see what your coverage provides. Either source should be able Tom find out what you have

Answer: Yes, if you lose employer-sponsored health coverage, you qualify for an 8-month Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, or to switch to a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Answer: I personally sit down with new people and take them through the Medicare And You book and make sure they understand the differences in all the plans and options they have

Answer: Not making informed choices and many times listening to someone that doesn't actually know what they are talking about and giving bad advice. It’s important to understand all your options and choices

Answer: Probably in my opinion the main disadvantage would be having to work within a network, although I don’t see that as a major disadvantage due to most people are generally used to doing so with major medical coverage. There are some possible out of pocket cost but al long as you have been informed on what those are and understand your plan you know what you have to work with.

Answer: Annuities can be a very good product for retirement planning for many reasons such as , they can provide an income stream that can run until your death, also for estate planning you can choose you beneficiaries just like an insurance policy and it bypasses probate and generally you can’t loose your additional invest if the market changes

Answer: Personally I don’t recommend one over the other, instead I educate the client on the pros and cons of each option and help the client decide what plan makes the most since for them bases on health and financial needs of each individual. There is no one size fits all in my opinion as each persons needs and financial situation will vary.

Answer: Just to make sure to be educated on all your options from a licensed agent or broker and not ask for advice from places such as Facebook or social media where you are getting advice from people that are not educated and know the rules and regulations and many times just repeating things they have heard from others

Answer: Anyone disabled for 24 months become eligible for Medicare at that time which gives you a guaranteed issue time frame for a Medicare Supplement although the premiums are generally higher for clients under 65, and when you reach 65 you will be given another guaranteed issue period and then qualify for regular rates

Answer: In my opinion it depends on each individual client and their financial situation and generally speaking the older the client gets is when it can save more due to Medicare Supplement prices can increase annually and after several years can become very pricey where as Advantage plans many time have zero or very low premiums plus offer additional added benefits not offered by Supplements.

Answer: An agent typically represents only one company while a broker represents multiple companies giving you a broader range of products to choose from

Answer: Guaranteed issue period for Medicare supplement is 3 months prior to the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 an d 3 months after the month you turn 65 got a total of 7 months. During this time frame you do not have to answer any health questions and are guaranteed acceptance at preferred rates

Answer: To potentially avoid or reduce IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) charges on your Medicare premiums, focus on strategies to lower your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), such as making tax-deductible retirement contributions, charitable donations, and strategically timing income and withdrawals.

Answer: It’s always better and more convenient to work with someone local that you can get to know and trust that will sit down one on one and explain things with you. You can work with someone virtually but at least for me I like a more personal relationship with my client

Answer: If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan you need to contact your plan to let them know of your move because if you move outside your plan coverage area you will lose your coverage, and even if you are in a Medicare supplement you always need to inform your plan in case you need to make any changes

Answer: You may but you will be subject to going through underwriting if you aren't in a guaranteed issue period and you could be subject to higher premiums or the possibility of being declined

Answer: With a PPO you have the option to see specialist or another doctor besides you PCP without the need of a referral

Answer: You should have enrolled in Part A & Part B Medicare and set a time with a licensed agent to discuss your options and what plans are best suited for you needs.