William Scott, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: I enjoy the fact that I can share my knowledge about Medicare and the Carriers that offer Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans that can accomodate pretty much anyone's specific needs.

Answer: Not so much as "Free". In fact we're encourged to not use the word "free" in our presentations about health plans offered by carriers. There are plans available that are of "no cost" to consumers and then there are others with limited cost. It all depends on what an indiviual would qualify for.

Answer: Private insurers play a significant role in covering more preventive care. Most Private insurers offer preventive care at no cost to its members.

Answer: The easiest route is to confirm with youre current carrier offers a plan identical to or similar to what you currently have.

If your carrier does not service your new county or zip code, you would want to consider consulting a Medicare Advantage and Supplement Broker in your new county to see what similar plans are available.

Your coverage could change slitght more or significantly less depending on the zip code and county you're relocating to.

Answer: The Medicare plan you and your Agent or Broker chose will determine what preventive screenings are covered. Most preventive screenings ar covered at no cost to you. There may be differences depending on what state you reside in.

Answer: Medicare is available to all those American citizens that are eligible. To my knowledge, there hasn't been any current evidence concluding that young Americans currently enrolled are improving or hurting the program.

Answer: Most people that purchase Medigap policies purchase them based on on their comfort level and desire to not be bothered by costs when they visit their primary doctor or if they travel a lot, prefer the convenience of knowing they can see any doctor that’s accepts Medicare in the country.

Paying one flat fee per month is all they wish to deal with during their busy lives.

The best time to purchase a Medigap policy is when you become eligible. If you wait to purchase it outside your eligibility, you’re just adding extra unnecessary costs to your budget.

Answer: Not necessarily. Baby Boomers have worked and paid into the system as well as a hidden group of immigrants that have worked and paid into the system that they may or may not be eligible for.

Answer: Absolutely! Drug payment plans are by far the mose inexpensive way to make sure all of your prescriptions are available in the health plan that you're currently in and you can be assured your Primary Health Provider will make sure the Generic Brands are accessible if Name Brands aren't.

Medicare.gov will always be your best resource to compare all prescriptions brands, generics and their costs.

Answer: No. Medicare being privatized puts us all at risk of high prices and limited availability. When there is no competion on cost or availability we run the risk of being at the mercy of one entity to serve the entire Medicare community that cosists of approximately 53 million out of 67 million people that are currently enrolled in Medicare.

The demand on certain drugs vs. where they need to be distributed and how often itself raises our annual cost factors even higher.

Answer: Medicare Supplements are known as Medigap plans. They are also sometimes referred to as Secondary Insurance.

Answer: The best way to avoid suprise bills for lab tests from your Medicare Advantage plan is:

1. Speak with your Medicare Advaqntage Agent/Broker to get a full understanding of what co-pays you are responsible for prior to having medical procedures.

2. Get a full understanding from your Primary Care Doctor and/or Specialist what lab procedures are expected in the near future.

3. Contact your Medicare Advantage carrier and confirm the co-pays you are responsible for future procedures explained by your PCP and/or Specialist.

Answer: That question is best answered by the Medicare Advantage carrier you're currently with. Most annual wellness visits are at no cost to the consumer, however its best to review your co-pay schedule with the Agent/Broker that recommended the Medicare Advantage plan to you.

Answer: To place yourself with an advantage over dental coverage, its usually best to purchase a dental plan long before you need it- especially in your later years. So when your later retirement years arrive, you have immediate access to thousands and your monthly premium is low.

There are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans available that offer different converage levels with $-0- or minimum co-pays. This is where a Medicare Broker like me can review and advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of plans available in your area.

Answer: Consider consulting with a Medicare Advantage Broker that can advise you on and compare what plan(s) address you need(s); that's accepted by your PCP and Specialist(s) and offer affordable prescription drug coverage in your budget.

Answer: Know what plans are available in your area or consult with an experiecned agent that's familiar with the market you live in.

Answer: Deciding not to get a prescription drug plan when they become eligible for one based on the fact they've never taken a prescription drug in the past and therefore believe they'll never have to in the future.