What types of insurance plans do you offer seniors?

In addition to education and guidance, I offer life insurance and health insurance plans from a variety of insurers. For seniors on Medicare, I offer Supplemental plans and Medicare Advantage, as well as Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans from a number of carriers in ten states. I also offer non-comprehensive plans and indemnity coverage, as well as Health Matching Accounts and specialty insurance such as Long-Term Care, Short-Term Care, Heart, Cancer, Dental, Accidental, as well as Annuities. Be careful when booking an appointment that you specify what type of insurance you would like to discuss. As an example, if you ask about a Medicare Plan, due to industry regulations, I will not be able to discuss a Life or Health Insurance plan with you other than that specific plan without an additional appointment.

Can you assist clients with pre-existing health conditions?

Most certainly. As you might expect, such insurance tends to come with higher premiums and deductibles, though not always. My job is to research each case individually to offer the best possible advice and quickly lead you to a solution that fits your needs and budget.

What states are you licensed in?

I am currently licensed to produce life and health insurance where I reside in Florida. I also have non-resident licenses in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona and Michigan.

Are your insurance plans affordable regardless of income?

Let’s be clear about terminology. I don’t offer insurance. I contract with and produce for underwriters who offer insurance. The US Federal Government offers Medicare Parts A and B, for example. Through these underwriters, I strive to offer competitive pricing and flexible options to fit different income levels and budgets. Some insurers offer lower rates and subsidies for low-income individuals and families. If you qualify, I will be sure to bring them to your attention, assisting you in any way I can.

Can I get you to speak at my Church luncheon?

I am happy to do that. I present to groups of any type. I speak at all sorts of events. Use the booking tool in the menu at the top of this page to see when I will be available.

What is an Indemnity Plan?

An Indemnity Plan is a type of supplemental insurance policy that pays fixed amounts for specified procedures or prescriptions. It is less regulated than a comprehensive insurance plan, it may not cover as broad a range of services, and on a more positive note, it doesn’t limit the beneficiary to a network of providers. Read more about them on my Private Health Insurance Alternatives page.

When I’m old enough for Medicare, will my income matter?

It can. If you make too much in the tax year two years before you qualify, you may have to pay more in monthly premiums both for Parts A and B and Part D. And most people have to pay for Part A and B in order to get Part C. So, for high income earners, maybe you should retire earlier. For low-income earners there may be programs in your state that provide additional assistance to help offset some of your costs. You’ll find all the details here in the Limited-Income page of my Education Center.

Is Medicare Government Insurance?

Some is and some isn’t. Plan C, known as Medicare Advantage, is regulated by but not provided by the U.S. Federal Government. It is private insurance. The regulations say it has to cover all that Plans A and B do. “Traditional” or “Original Medicare” is not privately funded. Traditional Medicare is Government Insurance that is sometimes called “Fee-For-Service” Medicare. Part D, on the other hand, which covers prescription drugs, is not part of that Government Insurance. Only Parts A and B are. Plan D is private. However, drugs received in the hospital are covered under Part A, which is Government Insurance. If you find this confusing, don’t worry. That is why I created my Education Center. If you don’t find the answers you are looking for on the Medicare.com website, then look it up here.

Do I have to join a network, like an HMO to be on Medicare?

Not if you use Original Medicare, which is Plans A and B. Private insurance, on the other hand, may require it, as may Plan D. And your Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), if you buy it, may also have limitations. There are HMO plans, which are more restrictive and typically require referrals for specialists. There are also PPO plans. These usually allow more liberty to get services and drugs where you want. A good agent will help you determine which kind of plan is best suited for your specific needs.

How did Medicare get started?

Medicare started providing coverage in 1966 as a provision of the Social Security Act, Title XVIII, as signed into law by Lyndon Johnson. The government originally had administrative contractors that would charge fees for services. Improvements took place over time as managed care plans started handling contracts with provider networks, especially after the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) was passed in 1982 – the theory being that volume buying by dedicated experts would lower prices and increase efficiency, especially through HMOs. Medicare Advantage was originally called Medicare+Choice, which popped up in 1997 and by adding its own drug plans (MA-PDs) after the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 was passed under Geroge W. Bush, which became very popular. Medicare began providing prescription drugs through private health plans by 2006, which brings us to Medicare as we know it in its present form.

What is Supplemental Insurance?

Broadly, it’s any type of insurance that isn’t covered by a standard plan. In the world of Medicare, the answer to this has two layers. It starts with Medicare Plan B, which was originally a supplement to Plan A. This is why Plan B is sometimes called “Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits.” However, if an insurance agent talks about Medicare Supplementary Insurance, (“Med-Sup” for short), they are probably referring to something else altogether – a Supplement to Plan B known as “Medigap.” As the name suggests, it fills in some of the gaps that Plans A and B leave behind. Some might also call it “Plan E.” In the non-Medicare world, “supplemental insurance” is also very popular, supplementing comprehensive coverage with dental, hearing or vision insurance, accident insurance, travel, cancer, heart disease, short-term or long-term care, critical illness or any type of indemnity insurance. See my Supplemental page for all the details.

Is Medicare a Social Security Benefit?

No. Medicare is a separate program that works alongside Social Security. Social Security provides income for retirees. Medicare provides health benefits. Both programs are funded through payroll taxes. Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Social Security is managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security outside of SSDI can be drawn as early as age 62, whereas Medicare automatically enrolls eligible recipients at age 65. A person does need to be eligible to receive Social Security benefits in order to qualify for Medicare benefits but that is the limit of the connection.

Why Do I have to Fill Out a Form to talk to a Medicare agent I know?

The Medicare industry has regulations to protect seniors from dishonest marketing practices, high pressure sales and sudden decision making, particularly outbound solicitation. Phone calls must be on recorded lines. No personal information such as credit cards or social security numbers may be gathered unless it is necessary for completing an application, which cannot take place without a 48-hour notice in writing, except at the close of an enrollment season. For a complete list of regulations imposed on all Medicare agents tap here.

Are there Penalties if I Don’t Enroll on Time?

For Medicare Parts B and D, if you do not have qualifying plans from an employer that offer equivalent comprehensive coverage or better, then yes, it is possible to accrue penalties for late enrollment. There may also be late enrollment penalties for failure to enroll in Part A if you do not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A and are not automatically enrolled.