Vachik Chakhbazian, Medicare Insurance Agent

Answer: How will my current and anticipated healthcare needs align with the coverage and flexibility of different Medicare plans.

Answer: While some Medicare Advantage plans advertise zero monthly premiums, they aren't truly "free." You'll still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium and may incur costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for medical services.

Answer: Treasury is good at printing money out of thin air, you will be OK. With the number of Baby Boomers entering retirement every day, the demand for Medicare guidance is escalating.

Answer: Medicare does not cover drugs solely for weight loss, but it may cover drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy when prescribed for other conditions like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease

Answer: Yes. You can withdraw money from your HSA to reimburse yourself for Medicare premiums that are automatically deducted from your Social Security benefits check.

Answer: You need to call me as your agent to review your Medicare SOB and let you know your options. coverage is based on medical necessity, not a set number of visits, and there is no longer a therapy cap for Original Medicare.

Answer: Medicare covers knee replacement surgery, including robotic-assisted procedures, if your doctor determines it's medically necessary.

Answer: you'll need a prescription from your doctor stating the medical necessity and then find a Medicare-approved supplier.

Answer: Yes, Medicare covers mental health services, including treatment for bipolar disorder, through both Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage plans, covering both inpatient and outpatient services, as well as prescription medications.

Answer: which is allowed because these plans are contracted by commercial insurance companies, not the government.

Answer: Yes, stricter regulations on Medicare Advantage marketing and sales practices are needed. More oversight is needed

Answer: Medicare will typically pay for the full cost of these services if a Medicare-certified home health agency provides them.

Answer: Medicare provides support for quitting smoking through Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans. Part B covers counseling, while Part D and some Advantage plans may cover prescription smoking cessation medications.

Answer: With Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and Medicare Advantage plans, many preventive services are covered at no cost to you. These include screenings, vaccines, and counseling services aimed at preventing or detecting health problems early.

Answer: could significantly strain Medicare funding within the next 20 years due to reduced payroll tax revenue, the primary source of Medicare funding.

Answer: If you need medical care while traveling abroad, it's crucial to know that the U.S. government does not provide insurance coverage or pay for medical bills overseas. You are responsible for all costs. Before your trip, it's essential to purchase travel insurance and to know how to access healthcare abroad.

Answer: To ensure your procedure is covered by Medicare before incurring unexpected costs, you should first ask your doctor or the facility if they accept Medicare and if they will accept assignment. You can also verify coverage on the Medicare.gov website . If coverage is uncertain, inquire about potential out-of-pocket costs and ask if the provider will file a claim with Medicare, even if they anticipate a denial.

Answer: Medicare will reimburse for remote patient monitoring. home heart monitor is deemed medically necessary by your doctor then it will be covered by Medicare

Answer: Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services from various providers, including psychiatrists and therapists. However, it doesn't cover all mental health services. Medicare Part D covers mental health medications. To get medication, you'll likely need a prescription from a psychiatrist, and the medication itself is covered under Part D.

Answer: Traditional Medicare and even Medicare Advantage may not fully meet the diverse and evolving needs of all seniors, particularly those with chronic conditions or significant health needs.

The current system can be confusing and difficult to navigate, leading to errors and potential financial losses for beneficiaries.

Reforms to Medicare are likely to face political opposition and may require significant compromise.

Answer: focus on strategies to lower your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which is used to calculate IRMAA. This can include shifting from traditional to Roth IRAs, maximizing tax-deductible retirement account contributions, and utilizing tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. You can also consider appealing the surcharge if you have a life-changing event that significantly impacts your income

Answer: No, you likely do not need to change your Medicare coverage when moving from New York to Florida, as long as you have Original Medicare and a Medigap plan. Original Medicare coverage remains the same regardless of your location, and most Medigap plans are transferable if you remain within the US. However, you should notify your Medigap insurance company of your new address.

Answer: virtual agents can provide convenience and potentially broader coverage options, allowing you to compare plans from multiple companies.

Answer: Medicare Part B covers certain outpatient mental health services, there are still out-of-pocket costs like copayments or coinsurance. Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, provides coverage for both inpatient and outpatient mental health services, but it's important to understand that not all mental health treatments are covered without any conditions.

Answer: Medicare generally covers the routine costs of clinical trials and may cover certain experimental treatments or services, especially those that are part of a "Coverage with Evidence Development" (CED) study. Routine costs include services that would normally be covered by Medicare if not part of a clinical trial.

Answer: Yeah, you're definitely not alone in thinking that. A lot of people—especially those working within or alongside Medicare—have raised concerns about how outdated and clunky some of their systems are. These outdated systems can make data sharing between providers real headache.

Answer: ​Yes, Medicare has begun covering several AI-powered diagnostic tools that aid in early disease detection, particularly in areas like cardiovascular health and cancer surveillance.

Answer: Yes, Medicare provides comprehensive coverage for hospice care through Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). To qualify, you must meet the criterias.

Answer: If you’re at high risk for heart disease, Medicare actually offers a pretty solid range of preventive services designed to catch issues early and manage your risk.

Answer: There are legit plans with strong benefits, but verifying them is key so you’re not misled by marketing fluff. Go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call me and i will be more than happy to help you.

Answer: Medigap plans can be more expensive than Medicare Advantage plans, but Medigap policies cover all the areas where Medicare has limitations, which is beneficial for travelers. Medigap might not always be the best choice for everyone.

Answer: you can delay enrolling in Part B and may not need it until you retire. if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you'll likely need Part B to avoid gaps in coverage.

Answer: Depending on your health condition. it's a complex decision that depends on individual circumstances. may have lower premiums or offer extra benefits, they often come with trade-offs like network restrictions and potential higher costs for out-of-network care.

Answer: they can work together. but Medicare doesn't cover the membership fees for concierge care. You'll need to pay the membership fee out-of-pocket, but your Medicare Part B may cover services provided by a concierge physician that would normally be covered under Part B.

Answer: Yes, Medicare covers emergency care in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. This includes both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Answer: can help ensure they fully understand their coverage and make informed decisions, as well as provide ongoing support and address any questions or concerns that may arise.

Answer: faster approvals, reduced errors, and more efficient use of resources. AI can also enhance the accuracy of claims documentation and streamline the overall process.

Answer: spending on these plans significantly increasing as a percentage of total Medicare spending. ith Medicare Advantage enrollment growing rapidly and representing a larger portion of Medicare spending than traditional Medicare. Furthermore, Medicare Advantage plans are, on average, paid more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare.

Answer: You have up to four months to enroll in new Medicare coverage insurance following your move, if you let your Medicare provider know before you leave. In this situation, you can enroll a month prior to the move date, and up to two months after the moving month.

Answer: Yes, Medigap Plan G will help cover your knee replacement surgery costs after you meet your Part B deductible. Once you've met the deductible, Plan G will cover the remaining out-of-pocket costs, including copayments and coinsurance

Answer: Yes, it can be suspicious While legitimate Medicare Advantage plans may offer some extra benefits, such as flex cards for certain expenses, it's crucial to be aware of potential scams and misleading marketing tactics.

Answer: With a PPO, you have the flexibility to visit providers outside of your network. However, visiting an out-of-network provider will include a higher fee and a separate deductible. HMOs don't offer coverage for care from out-of-network healthcare providers.

Answer: Yes, you may be wrong. some PPOs, may require referrals, even for specialists. rules can vary between different insurance companies and even between different plans offered by the same company. You might be required to use specialists within the plan's network, and some plans may require referrals to use in-network specialists.

Answer: as of 2025, the Medicare Part D coverage gap is eliminated. Beginning January 1, 2025, there are now three phases of part D coverage: deductible phase, initial coverage period, and catastrophic coverage.

Answer: can cover a range of home health care services, including skilled nursing care, therapy, and medical supplies. Skilled Nursing Care, Therapy, home health aides, social services, telehealth,.

Answer: one of them is the missing the initial enrollment period. 2nd is listening to some one other than their agent. each policy is tailored to specific needs.

Answer: your first step is to understand why the denial occurred and whether it's due to a network issue, lack of prior authorization, or other coverage limitations. Then, you can appeal the denial through the formal Medicare appeal process, you can consider switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or exploring Original Medicare with a Medigap policy

Answer: you have the right to appeal. The first step is a redetermination, where you submit a written request within 120 days of the initial denial. If that's denied, you can move on to a reconsideration, a level two appeal with a Qualified Independent Contractor.

Answer: No, Medicare Supplement plans and "Medicare Secondary Insurance" are not exactly the same, though they are related. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, are specific types of secondary insurance designed to cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover.

Answer: include changes in your health status, changes in your medication list, concerns about plan costs, or changes in your plan's benefits.

Answer: No, you do not need to sign up for Medicare again when you turn 65 if you are already receiving it based on disability benefits. Your Medicare coverage will continue without interruption.

Answer: the top five companies for Medicare Supplement plans for 2025.

Best for Medigap plan options: AARP/UnitedHealthcare.

Best for premium discounts: Mutual of Omaha.

Best for member satisfaction: State Farm.

Best for low premiums: Cigna.

Best for extra benefits: Anthem.

Answer: Yes, it's possible to be denied a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, but it depends on the circumstances and when you're applying. Generally, you can't be denied for pre-existing conditions if you are in your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period or during other guaranteed issue periods.

Answer: These cards allow you to purchase eligible health and wellness products at participating retailers.

Answer: Your SSI will continue as long as you meet the financial requirements (income and resource limits). It can continue for life unless your income, assets, or living situation change.

Answer: In 2025, once your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs reach $2,000, you enter the catastrophic coverage phase of Medicare Part D. At this point, you won't have to pay anything for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year

Answer: Medicare generally covers palliative care through Part A and Part B, often as part of broader care during a serious illness, and may also cover palliative care during hospice. Hospice care, however, is a specialized type of palliative care specifically for those with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, where curative treatments are no longer pursued.

Answer: No, not all types of blood tests are covered by Medicare. Medicare covers blood tests that are ordered by a doctor to help diagnose or treat a medical condition.

Answer: While it's possible to call your health insurance carrier directly for some inquiries, it's often more efficient and effective to use online resources or contact your doctor's office for health-related questions. Calling the insurance company might be best for issues like policy changes or claim status checks. However, for medical advice or questions about your health, it's generally recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or your doctor's office.

Answer: generally won't directly impact your Medicare coverage, but it can affect how you handle pre-existing medical debt and future medical expenses. Medicare benefits typically remain unchanged during and after bankruptcy, and you'll continue to receive the same coverage. However, you are still responsible for new medical bills incurred after filing for bankruptcy.

Answer: Agents are often financially incentivized to enroll beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage due to higher commissions, potentially influencing their recommendations.

Answer: begin by contacting the healthcare provider or billing department first to inquire about the error and seek resolution. If the issue persists, you can then report the error to the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) or the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for further investigation. You can also submit a complaint through Medicare.gov.

Answer: I provided clear and concise explanations of the Medicare regulations and plan's coverage rules, helped the client gather necessary documentation, and filed an appeal on their behalf.

Answer: Original Medicare offers more flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals, while Medicare Advantage plans often provide extra benefits and lower costs,