Ted Heckel, Medicare Insurance Agent
Ted Heckel
American Senior Benefits
Medicare Agent Licensed in CT, AL, FL, NY and SC
Contact Details
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Location
Fairfield, CT
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Phone
About Me
Hello, my name is Ted, and I am your local Medicare advisor and agent. I specialize in Medicare and I am devoted to helping you find the best plan that matches your specific needs and financial situation. I will take care of the daunting task of comparing plans from well-known national and local companies for you. Even better, my services are completely free! Contact me today to explore your Medicare options,and be sure to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Ted Heckel
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
Answer: Hi, You can wait and delay the Part B Enrollment as long as employer has more than 20 employees and the coverage is Creditable, the employer should let you know
Part A Inpatient Hospital deductible $1,676 but if I have Part C Advantage Plan, the hospital $350 copay per day 1-7 so how does this work?
Answer: The Part A Deductible for 2026 is now $1736. If you only had Original Medicare with no Secondary, you would be exposed to the $1736, but most people will have a Secondart Insurance which would cover this. For those with Medicare Advantage Plans, your out of pocket for Part A would be $350/day up to 7 days, could be looking at a $2450 bill
Can a Medicare Supplement insurer cancel my Medigap policy?
Answer: No, a private insurance company cannot cancel your policy as long as you pay your premium.
Policies are guaranteed renewable and cannot be dropped because of health changes.
How long does the IRMAA surcharge last, and is it permanent?
Answer: IRMAA surcharges are not permanent and are re-evaluated annually. The charges are based on tax returns from two years prior. You can appeal with a "Life Changing Event Form", Form SSA-44 from Social Security
For Medicare Part D, why would someone pick a plan with a high total cost?
Answer: Sometimes the cost of the drugs could be less. When shopping drug plans, look at total cost, not just premiums
I'm interested in a robotic knee replacement surgery that my surgeon recommends for my specific anatomy. How does Medicare coverage work for this advanced procedure?
Answer: Medicare would normally cover this as long as Medically necessary. The coverage is based on the procedure not the technology for this
Can you describe a time when you helped a client navigate a complex Medicare issue?
Answer: Client was in a Medicare Advantage plan and recently was told would have to start dialysis, luckily we were able to switch to Original Medicare with a Supplement as secondary, saving him a few thousand dollars.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
Answer: Not knowing how and when to sign up for Part B Medicare at the right time, being confused about options if still working.