Yadira Son, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Your HSA money can be used to pay certain Medicare premiums after you retire. Just remember, once you enroll in Medicare, you can’t keep adding new money to your HSA, but you can still use what you’ve saved.

Answer: Even though you’re both on Medicare, the extra benefits come from the specific plan, not Medicare itself. Two people can both “have Medicare” but get very different extras — it all depends on the plan they chose.

Answer: Extra Help is a program through Social Security that helps people on a fixed income pay less for their Medicare Part D prescriptions. If you qualify, it can lower your drug copays and sometimes even reduce or eliminate your Part D premium. A lot of people qualify without realizing it, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

Answer: One thing people often overlook with Original Medicare is how much freedom you have. You can see any doctor or specialist nationwide that accepts Medicare, without needing referrals or worrying about networks. It's a flexibility that really matters to a lot of people.

Answer: Some agents talk more about Medicare Advantage because it’s more familiar or easier to explain, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best fit for everyone. You don’t need to be skeptical — just make sure your agent also explains Medigap and helps you compare both, so you can choose what works best for you.

Answer: No — Medicare can’t drop you because of your health. Getting sick, using your benefits, or having a new diagnosis won’t cause you to lose coverage. As long as you stay enrolled and keep up with any required premiums, your coverage stays in place.

Answer: I usually tell people to start getting ready a little before the fall, around August or early September. That way, you’re not scrambling when AEP starts on October 15. It gives you time to look over your current plan, double-check your medications and doctors, and think about whether anything might need to change for next year — nice and easy, no rush.

Answer: That’s a very common concern, and there are programs that can help. The first one to apply for is Extra Help through Social Security — it can lower your prescription copays and sometimes your Part D premium. You should also check into your state’s Medicare Savings Program, which can help with Medicare costs if your income is limited. Even if you’re unsure you qualify, it’s worth applying. I’m happy to help point you in the right direction if you’d like.

Answer: That’s a great question — and yes, it’s real. Starting in 2025, Medicare puts a $2,000 yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs under Part D. Once your copays, coinsurance, and deductible add up to that amount, you won’t pay anything more for covered medications for the rest of the year.

Answer: Puerto Rico is part of the United States, so your Medicare Part A and Part B will work there just like when you are traveling in any of the 50 states.

Answer: A Medicare agent helps explain your options in simple terms, answers your questions, and helps you choose coverage that fits your doctors, medications, and budget. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

You will get the following benefits as you work with a Medicare agent:

You get personal, one-on-one help

You save time and avoid confusion

You have ongoing support if questions come up later.