Tammie Rutledge, Medicare Insurance Broker
Tammie Rutledge
Savvy Medicare Strategies
Medicare Broker Licensed in WA, AZ, FL, ID, MT, OR and TX
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Tumwater, WA
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About Me
Tammie Rutledge, Licensed Medicare Broker & Certified Senior Advisor
Serving Seniors since 2014. I specialize in Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare and Medicaid Dual Special Needs Plans. Serving Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Pierce Counties in person. Able to serve remotely all of Washington State and other licensed states.
Q&A with Tammie Rutledge
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: I wish every Senior knew that there are knowledgeable professionals who are trained in Medicare. We are here to help at NO COST to the client. Work with a Broker who is able to shop plans for you. Each person may have unique needs and one plan or Company never fits all.
Can you describe a time when you helped a client navigate a complex Medicare issue?
Answer: We recently had a 70 year old male contact us. He never activated his Part A and Part B or Part D with Medicare. He also has no income per se'. We advised him to file for the Medicare Savings Plan with DSHS first and then apply for Medicare. If he is approved by DSHS, they will pay his penalties. He is also started Kidney Dialysis so he is automatically qualified for Medicare.
He had not filed taxes in years, even though he has a business. The business was constantly losing money, so he took no income. He has a partner who has been supporting him financially.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
Answer: Trying to figure Medicare out on your own. If you don't understand it properly, you could accrue penalties for not taking Part A, B and D in time.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: If you are switching for one Plan F for example to another Plan F, no you are not required to answer health questions. The plan you are changing to must be a like plan. There are other circumstances that may not require health questions. Check with your local broker and ask them to review the Underwriting Guidelines with the company you are applying with.
What does Medicare Part B cover? Is it enough?
Answer: Part B covers Doctor visits, outpatient care, medical tests, some immunizations and some medications. It also covers Durable Medical Equipment. Part B covers at 80% and 20% is the patient's responsibility.
There is no max out of pocket protection, so if you were diagnosed with Cancer and were prescribed Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy, it could financially devastate you.
That is why we recommend a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement to protect you for catastrophic health loss.
Will Medicare Advantage plans start offering more digital health tools like apps by 2030?
Answer: Many Healthcare companies are offering wellness apps, mental health apps, fitness and exercise. I can only see those opportunities increasing as the desire to keep our Seniors healthy and fit is so important.
I picked a PPO for the flexibility, but now every time I go out of network the bills are outrageous. What's the point of even having a PPO?
Answer: Preferred Provider Organization, each Health Insurance company has a PPO Network and it is prudent to work within that Network if you can. PPO's are more costly for insurance companies because of the Out of Network usage. Try to work within your PPO Network to keep your costs down. Your Local Broker should be able to direct you to a copy of your Local Network of Providers. Your Insurance provider also has ways to search for In Network Physicians.
Does Medicare cover eye exams, or are seniors left paying too much?
Answer: Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams. If the exam is due to a health condition such as diabetes, it will be billed under Health Insurance. Typically, Medicare Advantage plans cover a routine eye exam with a $0 copay.
My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?
Answer: It is possible you lost a spouse discount if you had a Medicare Supplement plan.
How do discount cards and resources affect my Medicare Prescription Drug plan?
Answer: You are only able to use a Drug Discount card if you are paying cash for your prescription.
You may not use the discount card in conjunction with your Prescription Drug plan .
I'm a low-income senior who can't afford my prescription drugs even with Medicare Part D. What specific assistance programs should I apply for?
Answer: You may be eligible for Extra Help, also known as Low income subsidy from Social Security.
You can apply online here: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
I need a hearing aid but I've heard Medicare doesn't cover them. Is there any way around this?
Answer: Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids. However, most Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids and offer them at a discount or copay through their approved Vendor. Check with your local Broker if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Answer: As a Broker, I am not finding that to be true. I would say that my business is 85 % Medicare Advantage and 15% Medicare Supplements. Medicare Supplements are appropriate for some, but most people don't go to the doctor enough to justify that monthly expense.
I'm confused about the different tiers in Medicare Part D plans. How do they affect what I pay for my medications?
Answer: Tier 1 and Tier 2 are Generic brands
Tier 3 are Brand Name
Tier 4 are specialty drugs
Each tier has a copay associated with it. Tiers 3 and 4 will trigger the annual deductible to be satisfied. Ask your representative for a breakdown of your Drug Plan.
My neighbor says I'm crazy for paying for a Medigap plan when Medicare Advantage is "free." What should I tell him?
Answer: Medicare Advantage Plans are not FREE. They may have a $0 premium. However, you must continue to pay your Medicare part B premium to qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan.
I have Original Medicare, a Medigap Plan G, and a Part D plan, but I'm still facing high costs for my specialty medication. What options exist for someone in my situation?
Answer: The Good new is that the max out of pocket for Part D is now $2,000.00. Once you have hit the max out of pocket, your Specialty Medications will be covered for the remainder of the year.