Zachary Whitaker, Medicare Insurance Broker

Answer: Private insurers could help expand and coordinate preventive care, but the real value depends on whether members can easily access those services without unnecessary barriers.

Answer: Medicare home health is for short-term or intermittent skilled care at home — not full-time caregiving or ongoing help with daily living.

Answer: A copay is your share of the bill at the time you use care, and the amount depends on your Medicare coverage and the service received.

Answer: Yes — Medicare can cover heart monitors when they are medically necessary and ordered by a doctor.

This may include things like:

Holter monitors, event monitors, mobile cardiac telemetry, or implantable loop recorders.

Answer: Original Medicare does not cover SilverSneakers gym memberships.

However, many Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers or a similar fitness benefit at no extra cost. Some Medicare Supplement/Medigap carriers may also offer fitness discounts or programs, but it depends on the company and state.

SilverSneakers is plan-specific, not a standard Medicare benefit.

Answer: This will vary by company, plan, and county availability. An annual review is essential. Please ensure medications and doctors are covered on new plans if a change is desired.

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans can save seniors money month-to-month because many have low or $0 premiums and include extras like dental, vision, hearing, and Part D. This is why it's important to review coverage annually.

Answer: If you are awarded disability by Social Security, you will be notified when your Medicare will go into effect. 3-4 months before it goes into effect, you will receive a Medicare Health Insurance Card (Red/White/Blue) in the mail. Starting 3 months prior to the effective date, you can then select and enroll in a plan of your choosing.

Answer: Ask a trusted friend or family member, but always check their Google reviews! Reviews can't be taken down by the individual who wrote them.

Answer: MRI scans fall under Part B; therefore, depending on which Medicare plan benefits you have selected, the cost could vary.

Answer: Social Determinants of Health play a major role in Medicare plan quality because they directly affect whether members can actually access care, follow treatment plans, stay healthy, and avoid expensive medical events.

A member’s health is often influenced just as much by their living situation as by their doctor.

Answer: Reach out to a licensed Medicare Insurance Agent and let them know you want to schedule an appointment to review your coverage.

Answer: It depends on the plan you pick. HMOs require selecting a primary physician when applying, or one will be auto-assigned, whereas PPOs don't have the same requirement.

Answer: My response to prospective clients is simple. Working with a Medicare agent can help you save time, reduce errors, and avoid choosing a plan based on advertisements. Agents receive regular newsletters from companies that keep us informed about processes. Be sure to work with a Broker who represents all the companies offered in your area, not just a few. That's how you can be best informed when enrollment periods come around each year!

Answer: Traditionally, since you're already drawing a Social Security check, you're automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. However, if you have been on disability for over 2 years, the odds that you already have access to Medicare Part A and B are very high. Turning 65 gives you the option to buy a Medigap Policy because it's considered a Guaranteed Issue enrollment period.