Steve Houchens, Medicare Insurance Agent
Steve Houchens
Steve Houchens Insurance
Medicare Agent Licensed in KY and TN
Contact Details
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Location
Glasgow, KY
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Phone
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LinkedIn
About Me
Hello! I'm Steve, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Contact me to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Steve Houchens
I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?
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.
What's the trade-off between a Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO when it comes to flexibility?
Answer: With a PPO you have the option to see specialist or another doctor besides you PCP without the need of a referral
Can I change my Supplemental/Medigap plan at any time?
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
How does moving to a new state affect my Medicare enrollment timeline?
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
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
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
How can I avoid or reduce IRMAA charges on my Medicare premiums?
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.
What is Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement plans, and when does it apply?
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
What's the difference between a Medicare broker and a Medicare agent?
Answer: An agent typically represents only one company while a broker represents multiple companies giving you a broader range of products to choose from
Do Medicare Advantage plans really save seniors money in the long run? Why or why not?
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.
Who qualifies for Medicare coverage if they are under 65?
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
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
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
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
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.
What role do annuities play in retirement planning?
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
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
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.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
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
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
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
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
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.
I picked a Medicare Advantage plan last year, and I'm not sure if my hearing aids are covered. How do I figure this out?
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
What does Medicare Part B cover? Is it enough?
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.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
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.
Why is the new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for drug costs important?
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
What role do you think technology will play in the future of Medicare?
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
My friend gets SilverSneakers with her plan and I don't-how are we both paying for Medicare and getting such different stuff?
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.
Is paying for a high-end Medicare Supplement plan really worth it, or is it overkill?
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.
So my friend told me I should just go with the cheapest Medicare plan. That sounds too simple - what am I missing?
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.
How could a universal healthcare debate shift Medicare's structure in the next decade?
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
Can you explain Special Needs Plans in Medicare?
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.
Isn't it suspicious that Medicare Advantage plans offer gift cards and incentives to enroll?
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.
I've heard Medicare covers home health care, but what exactly does that include?
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.
Isn't it time for Medicare to completely overhaul how it approaches senior care?
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.
Will Medicare cover asthma and other breathing conditions?
Answer: Yes, Medicare generally covers asthma and other breathing conditions. It covers treatments like inhalers, nebulizers, and medications for conditions like asthma and COPD
I've heard Medicare covers an annual wellness visit. What exactly is included in this visit?
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
I use a continuous glucose monitor for my diabetes that connects to my smartphone. Will Medicare cover this technology for someone with my condition?
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.
Does Medicare pay for telehealth visits with specialists, or is it limited to primary care?
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.
Isn't Medicare headed for a crisis with so many baby boomers aging into the system?
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.
I'm planning a long trip overseas. What happens if I need medical care while I'm away from the US?
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.
Should there be stricter regulations on Medicare Advantage marketing and sales practices?
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.
Can you explain what "creditable coverage" means and when it applies?
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.