Valerie Welch, Medicare Insurance Agent
Valerie Welch
The Welch Agency
Medicare Agent Licensed in DE, GA and SC
4+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
McCormick, SC
About Me
Hello, I'm Valerie, your neighborhood Medicare insurance advisor. My expertise lies in the realm of Medicare, and my mission is to assist you in identifying the perfect plan tailored to your unique requirements and financial capacity. Allow me to navigate the array of plans available from both nationally and locally esteemed companies on your behalf. And don't worry, my services are provided free of charge! Contact me to discover your Medicare insurance alternatives and don't forget to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Valerie Welch
If we choose a Medicare Advantage plan and later regret it, can we go back to Original Medicare without penalties?
Answer: If you are in your first 12 months of your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) you may return to Original Medicare with no questions asked. However, in most instances, if you are outside the 12-month window of your IEP and want to return to original Medicare, you can only do so if you are able to pass the carrier's underwriting requirements.
There are also Special Enrollment Periods in which you would be allowed to return to original Medicare without any underwriting. For example, if you move outside your current Advantage plan's service area, or if your current carrier discontinues your plan.
I'm worried about affording my medications even with the 2025 changes. Are there additional assistance programs I should know about?
Answer: There are a couple of options that could help you:
1) Along with the new $2000 out-of-pocket RX maximum, came the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) which will allow you to pay for your prescriptions on a monthly basis, over the course of the whole year.
2) You might qualify for a "Low Income" Medicare Advantage Plan which would afford you "Extra Help" in paying for your prescription drugs. Ask your Agent to see if you qualify.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: There are many benefits of using a Medicare Agent. In my opinion, the top two reasons are:
1) An Agent will show you all of your plan options and, based on your individual needs, help you decide on the right plan for you.
2) When you use an agent, you have an advocate to help you with any problems or issues you may encounter with your plan throughout the year.
When will my provider send my Annual Notice of Change?
Answer: Your Carrier is required to send the ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) letter by September 30, so you should have received it by now. If you've not received it, call the Customer Service number on your card and request it. Remember, if you've chosen to receive your communication from your Carrier 'electronically', the notice would have been emailed to you.