Lt Col Tim Brown, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Not consulting an agent broker with time in grade. In other words, experience. The other thing would be to select an agent broker with multiple companies.

Answer: Not really knowing the difference between supplements and Medicare Advantage plans called Part C. And there is a lot of confusion about which Part D (drug card) to choose with a supplement plan.

Answer: I would need to know what medications you’re on. That way I can work on that answer by looking at the different formularies from different companies.

Answer: That doesn’t appear to be in the horizon. No one in my circles have mentioned anything to the effect either.

Answer: Co-pays (although not always) are better than the discount cards. The problem is that the government tells you if you don’t get Part D,when eligible, then you’ll be penalized should you want one later and the penalty is forever. That is just wrong. So that is the two reasons to have one. The drug card that is part of Part C Medicare AKA Medicare Advantage plans has no premium associated with that program.

Answer: Your doctor starts that process. If you have a Medicare Supplement and already met your deductible then it pays for it. If your on a Medicare Advantage Plan, it pays 80% leaving you 20% to pay.

Answer: Medicare supplement plans can be applied for and changed anytime of year you wish. Part C AKA known as Medicare Advantage plans, if you’re on one, can be changed up until March 31st. After that the next time (Unless a person is just gaining Medicare Part B) is the Annual Enrollment Period that starts on Oct 10 to Dec 7.

Other enrollment periods called Special Election Periods (SEP’S) come into play or allows a person to change plans such as moving from one service area to another, or a plan pulls out, or a person is released from incarceration. There are a lot more more SEP”s than I just mentioned.

Need help? Give me a call Monday thru Saturday to about 6:30 in the evening at 615-506-9024.

Answer: I don’t think they are. My wife and I are on one and we’re very satisfied with it, not to mention the well over a thousand people I’ve written plans for. I think people have preconceived notions and for them that’s reality. Typically you have no premiums for them. Some plans pay down the part B premium Medicare charges, and you have co-pays when you use the plan. Contact me if you’d like to discuss.

Answer: By using someone who has experience in the business to explain the pro's and con's of the plan, how it works. Medigap is the name Medicare calls it. It is actually a Medicare Supplement Plan. The best time to buy one is when your in your enrollment period for Medicare. If you already have a supplement plan, you can change those plans anytime of the year you like as long as you can qualify.

Answer: On Medicare Advantage plans also called Part C, it comes with those plans. If you get a supplement plan then you purchase it separately. I provide both types of products and offer those to my clients that choose supplements. I have 30 different companies. I am in 13 different states and have 36 years experience. Feel free to call me. 615-506-9024

Answer: Someone that’s been doing it awhile. I’m in this business 36 years now. A new agent doesn’t have a lot of experience. Someone who is a captive agent, meaning they work for one company, they can only offer the one or possibly two companies. That’s not enough. You need someone you feel comfortable with.

Answer: There is a list of preventative services on Medicare.gov. Of course your annual physical, exercise and diet.

Answer: Medicare does not. There are Medicare Advantage plans that pay towards it. Also the VA if a person qualifies for those benefits.

Answer: No it’s not true. A person still has final expenses or other expenses that they would want to leave a spouse money for. Or perhaps they just want to leave a gift for certain family members. People get life insurance for two reasons. They either owe somebody or love somebody.

Answer: You are supposed to get your Medicare card 3 1/2 months before your birth month. So three months. If you’re enrolled to start receiving social security payments, then it’s supposed to be mailed automatically. If you’re not going to draw it, or they failed to send it, you will need to sign up yourself. You can do it one of three ways; go on line to www.ssa.gov or make an appointment to go down to social security or call them. Going on line is the best method.

Answer: There are two types of plans that go with medicare. A Medicare Supplement plan and a medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage comes with dental, vision, hearing and a drug card. They are co pay driven. Example is primary care doctor no co pay, specialists (depending on the plan) you pay $15 to $50 for a visit. They come with other benefits too.

Answer: The same reason you should work with other professionals. I have to certify every year to provide Medicare products to people. I’ve been doing insurance for 36 years. I have 30 companies. You’re just stepping into the Medicare arena. Think that might be a reason.

Answer: It doesn't at all. They are just cutting out the deadwood. Workforce has nothing to do with funding.

Answer: First you have to stay enrolled in Medicare to have a Medicare advantage plan. It’s just that the advantage plan pays instead of Medicare. I don’t see much regret for advantage plans. I’m on one myself and I’m very happy with it. There is no perfect plan so what do people not like? Sometimes their doctor is maybe not on the plan, some approvals are needed but that’s the same under group insurance plans. The thing I don’t like myself is that Part B drugs you pay 20%. This is expensive and in that year you would hit your maximum out of pocket. But good plans? Yes.

Answer: In 2025 the most anyone can spend on medications in a Callander year, no matter how many medications they take is $2,000.

Answer: It’s possible you may have another special election. You can call me to discuss and to see if you really did miss your enrollment window. 615-506-9024

Answer: There are some Medicare advantage that offer that. Many times it’s tied to being on Medicaid but not all plans.

Answer: It could. If you are on expensive meds like Jardiance and Trulicity, the most anyone could pay in 2025, no matter how many meds they are on is $2,000. If your on generics, you will have cheap to no copays.

Answer: You can contact your insurance company and ask. Get the persons name you talk to, phone, badge number if it applies and the date and time of your call. You can go onto Medicare.gov and search there too. You can contact the billing department of your doctors office and ask. They bill insurance and know what they pay on or don’t. Hope that helps.

Answer: Most Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD) come with Dental, hearing and vision and if you have an MAPD plan with a zero premium, then you certainly are getting that dental benefit at no charge to you. I'd be glad to help you if you'd like to call.

I'm licensed in 13 states.

Lt Col Tim Brown, LUTCF

Gallatin TN 37066

615-506-9024

Answer: Fraud generally comes in the form of waste, fraud and abuse such as providers billing for services not done, or unnecessary tests being preformed, pharmacy meds and others. Deal with licensed agents and brokers providing plans. If you suspect something call the Medicare Hot Line.

Answer: Not if that is all you have. Do you have group insurance too? I find and I can speak from personal experience, Medicare A & B and one of the plans that go with Medicare is excellent coverage. I have been doing insurance for 37 years (come Sept) I went on Medicare a little over a year ago and picked one of the plans that go with Medicare and its the best coverage I have found.

Answer: If you’ve already met your deductible then you’re covered at 100%. If you have not met your deductible, then it will be covered after the deductible at 100%. If the facility you go to says “if you pay this much now, we cut this much off your bill”. Do not do this. Tell them to just bill the insurance. If you get a bill in the mail, don’t just pay it. Providers bill patients before insurance even knows they have a claim and it’s often more than you would owe if you hadn’t met your deductible. Call the company billing you. Tell them you have a Plan G and you won’t owe what they’re billing and wait for an Explanation of benefits before paying what would be your deductible assuming you have not already met your deductible. You’ll owe nothing if you’ve already met it.

Answer: It’s not like asking them to give up their cat or go to a nursing home. I’m 66 and on Medicare. Just have a conversation. Start out by maybe asking “what do you know about Medicare ?l.

Answer: Choose someone like myself with 37 years in the business, multiple companies and word of mouth reputation. 615-506-9024.

Answer: That isn’t enough information for me to answer you. I don’t know what type of plan you have but either type should be sufficient. Give me more info on your plan and the change in your health for a more specific answer. Either type plan will perform as stated in the evidence of coverage.

Answer: If it’s an out patient surgery, you have your out patient surgery co pay. If it is as an in patient, then you would have that co pay. Check your materials for your evedence of coverage.

Answer: Companies charge different amounts for their plans. I wouldn't pay more if there is a cheaper one and the medication is on that drug companies formulary. This year if your on 20 different medications, the maximum that you can be out of pocket for medications is $2,000 for the year.

Answer: You can join your Part D plans prescription payment plan. They will divide the payments for meds out through the year. You can pay no more than $2,000 in a calendar year for all meds involved. Even if you we on 30 meds, $2k is the max you can pay. Another idea is get samples from the doc. Use discount cards to see if there Is actually savings there. Hope that helps.

Answer: She would have a Medicare Advantage Plan and I’d say you have a supplement plan. Supplement plans don’t come with Silver Sneakers nor dental vision and hearing. Drug cards are also seperate with supplement plans.

Answer: I am not aware of any disparities. Maybe you can give some examples of what you mean. I have not seen nor had any complaints in that area.

Answer: Your question is all encompassing as if all doctors don’t like them. I don’t think that is the case. They probably have more paperwork with that program. Sounds like a question for your doctor what they think and why.

Answer: They wait because some people procrastinate. on the second part of your question, If a client will listen to an experienced agent instead of friends who, of course don’t certify each year to give advice. Good decisions can be made for that particular client based on need and income. That boils down to a trust issue for people. You got somebody that is a broker (Meaning multiple companies) someone like myself with 37 years experience in insurance, can help a client find the right plan.

Answer: Couple things come to mind. 1) what age did you sign up for Part A and B?

2) If you’re drawing social security you shouldn’t be getting a bill for Part B, they would deduct it from your social security check. 3) if you had insurance at work when you signed up for Part B, you can tell them you had creditable coverage and therefore no penalty.

You need to call social security and ask them why your getting billed to clear this up.

Answer: Shingles is a shot that Medicare approves. Please call your plan and let them know you want this to make sure they cover it.

Answer: I dont think the politicians will let that happen. So no, I do not see that as an issue. You could always ask your congressman or senator as to what they think.

Answer: My best advice is to contact your plan for Medicare and ask them if this type of treatment would be covered. Then write down the name, date and time of the person you talked to. Also, I would call Medicare and also go on the website to see about your procedure. The doctors office should be asked if this procedure has been covered by this procedure in the past. I will pray for you.

Answer: Original Medicare only pays 80%. So if you had a $30,000 out patient surgery and only had Medicare, your co-pay is $6,000. Under a medicare advantage plan it is (depending on the company) $270 to $300. Yes, Original Medicare is costly. I agree with your kids as I and my wife chose a medicare advantage plan.

Answer: Yes. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you can apply to change plans anytime of the year you wish. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD), you can change those planes during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that runs from Oct 15 to Dec 7 (Pearl Harbor Day). A change made during this time frame would take effect on Jan 1. There is also an Open Enrollment Period (OEP), where someone on a MAPD can make one change during that period. It runs from Jan 1 to March 31 each year. Whatever month during this period someone makes a change, the plan takes effect the 1st day of the next month i.e. make a change in Feb, new plan starts March 1.

Answer: Home health care initiated by your doctor is covered. Long term care is not covered by medicare. So it will depend on what definition it is listed as. Consult your doctor on which it could be.

Answer: I'm not a CPA so I would start by saying, talk to your tax advisor on the when. Me personally, I'm still working and going to wait to 66 and 10 months so I can collect social security, work and not get penalized for making "too much". Hope that helps.