Steven Bleicher, Medicare Insurance Broker
Steven Bleicher
Independent Representative
Medicare Broker Licensed in AZ
Contact Details
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Location
Oro Valley, AZ
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Phone
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Website
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About Me
As a long-time licensed agent, I have the expertise to help you save time, money and frustration.
• I can save you time by researching the best plans on your behalf.
• I save you money by finding plans that meet your goals and budget while avoiding any late penalties.
• Lastly, I save you frustration because from my experience, I will always be available to answer all your questions.
Contact me today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. I look forward to speaking with you.
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Steven Bleicher
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: THE most obvious knowledge as a newbie to Medicare is that the most expensive plan isn't necessarily your best choice. It has a lot to do with your potential health issues, how well you get along with your Primary Care physician (does she/he give you the bum's rush), the drugs that have been prescribed, as well as how your finances are at the time you apply for Medicare. Steve
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: Since I've been a Medicare expert for years and voluntarily teach Medicare at the local university for both those new to Medicare or those who are already in Medicare but wish to take a refresher course based on the new calendar year with the inevitable $$ changes. Thus, I email prospects all of the digital files that I have developed for my classes in advance of visiting them or speaking with them over the phone.
What role do you think technology will play in the future of Medicare?
Answer: Based on the innovations in the digital world, this existential question will constantly be asked since not only will Medicare itself continually change but so will AI be teaching people in a more simplified way.
What does Medicare Part B cover? Is it enough?
Answer: Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost when you visit your doctors, have your blood drawn, having needed to obtain physical & speech therapy when an accident or health incident has occurred. The 20% "coinsurance" balance is then covered by a Medicare Supplement plan to its fullest extent and an Medicare Advantage plan to a decent but lesser extent. It should cover enough of the cost especially since seniors do obtain an inflation percentage increase to cover the cost of living from the prior year.
I’m retiring next year—do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
Answer: If you've been happy with the coverage since you turned age 65 and applied for Medicare, then most likely the ONLY aspect of healthcare to review each year surrounds the Rx's that have been newly prescribed OR those which are Brand Name drugs (Tiers 3, 4 and 5) for which the global economy has adversely affected its cost from one year to the next. Please remember that a Part D(rug) plan may be your best choice in one year but not necessarily as good for you in the subsequent years. NOTE: Please read your "ANOC" or the Annual Notice of Change which is mailed to your home every late October/early November. Steve
Why is regular Medicare better than an advantage plan?
Answer: There is actually no such thing as "Regular Medicare". People know that there are two options when one turns age 65: A) a Medigap, also known as a Medicare Supplement and, B) a MAPD, a.k.a., as a Medicare Advantage Plan (with drug coverage). There is no cookie-cutter answer to choosing one over another since one's finances come into play, along with any potential health history of the applicant and her/his family history for "co-morbidities". If your parents lived a long life, that usually means you're ahead of the game, if you will. The major difference with an Advantage plan is though there is no monthly premium for this plan (since it is govt-subsidized), the give & take is that each MAPD has a steep deductible which you are responsible for which renews every single year. The dollar costs for these plans are dependent upon our global inflation. The Medigap, with a monthly premium has no deductible except for the one-time/year Part B $257.00 deductible. Each and every deductible will be likely to change at the new calendar year. Remember: an MAPD Advantage plan usually includes your drug coverage, whereas a Medicare Supplement plan has nothing whatsoever to do your prescriptions. That's what a "Stand-Alone" Part D plan is used for.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: Easy one. In coming from a family of teachers and with no two Medicare-eligible prospects are totally alike, I enjoy my ability to instruct the candidate about the quirky aspects of Medicare. Plus, there is NO "cookie-cutter" answer to clients about which program is the best for them. It must be evaluated based on health issues, finances and the Rx's being taken, among other things.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: If a full year has passed after turning age 65, there will be a series of health questions which must be answered in order to change your Med. Supplement plans. If you've remained healthy, the odds are good that a change will be approved. However, please note if you are still WITHIN the one year period of obtaining a Medigap/Suppmt. plan, you will have a right to change companies without having to answer any health questions. Thus, acclimating to your plans initially, no matter what they are, is paramount.
How will the new 2025 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap impact seniors and prescription drug costs?
Answer: This year's out-of-pocket expense is set at a maximum of $2,000.00 (last year it was $8,050.00!). Those folks with heavy duty Brand Name drugs will be paying no more that the $2K amount for every single drug that they are prescribed. However, with some expensive drugs, be aware that though you have the right to purchase drugs from either a US or Canadian online pharmacy at discounted rates, those bought from Canada will NOT be applied toward the $2K max out of pocket amount.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
Answer: Thinking that their drug costs before Medicare will resemble those same costs when joining Medicare. It is imperative to realize that Medicare drugs are priced much differently than those you enjoyed as part of an employer's healthcare plan. Brand Name drugs will be a greater challenge especially any drug in Tiers 3, 4 and 5.
Who can help me figure out this Medicare "maze and alphabet soup" it's so confusing.
Answer: Not only am I a volunteer instructor of Medicare at the U of A in Tucson but am an independent agent who teaches my peers at their homes or over the phone by sending attachments to their email addresses prior to the arranged “visit”.
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: Having the opportunity to teach my peers all of the quirks of Medicare has forever been my goal. I am paying it forward in that back in NYC, after moving to Tucson, my mother developed a # of major health issues. I feel that strangers came to her aid and caused her 7–8 more years of life until she passed at 92. This was my motivation to branch out into the healthcare field from scratch as the job I had back East simply didn’t exist here.
What additional coverage options are available for international travelers?
Answer: Some options in Medicare include overseas travel. For instance, with a Medicare Supplement (a.k.a., Medigap), the 1st 60 days of any trip is covered with any health ailment affected by a natural cause or by a serious accident.
I’ve got a Medicare Advantage plan, and I’m curious if my upcoming eye surgery is fully covered or if I’ll owe extra out of pocket.
Answer: Bear in mind that there are over 60,000 treatments that are covered by a government subsidized Medicare Advantage plan, being your Primary insurance at 80%. The rest of the money or 20% is paid by Medicare itself, your Secondary insurance. However, some things written in the policy may not be completely covered. Your doctor should know that! This is the “give and take” since you’re responsible for a somewhat steep deductible since you likely have no monthly premium.
What if I missed my window to sign up?
Answer: Should you miss the SEVEN-MONTH window of opportunity (before the birthday month when you're about to turn age 65) to enroll into Medicare, depending upon whether you are still working and receiving healthcare coverage from your employer, there are a number of aspects that you may encounter. So, it is imperative that you've picked up at least Part A but not necessarily Part B as yet. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to investigate your specific situation. But the longer you wait to do this, the worse it could be.
Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?
Answer: When you become eligible for Medicare (usually at age 65), Part A is totally free as long as you've worked for 10 years, contributing to Social Security, taken out of your paycheck during that time. Bear in mind that Part A (inpatient hospital admittance) will pay 80% of the charges surrounding your treatments/surgery. The other 20% is normally covered by applying to either a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan. However, if you're still working, it's normal that your employer is paying for your healthcare unless you're working part-time.
So, to answer your question, Medicare pays for over 60,000 different procedures. As long as yours has a dollar value associated with it, it should be enough. But if you are considering an experimental treatment, Medicare does not pay for that until CMS approves it.
Can Medicare Part D deny coverage for a brand-name drug if a generic isn’t available?
Answer: There is a Medicare rule that states (I am paraphrasing this): Should your Part D plan no longer offer a particular drug, they are required to sell you a one-month supply while you search the web (both US & Canadian discount websites) for a supplier who does include that (usually Brand Name drug) in their drug formulary. If you wish email me at [email protected], I'd be glad to send you my "Drug Discount Websites" digital file which I developed for the Medicare classes which I voluntarily have taught for many years at the University of AZ, here in Tucson.