5 Questions To Ask Your Medicare Insurance Agent

Updated on May 26, 2021
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When it comes time to find new Medicare insurance, it’s important to be as thorough as possible. It’s important not only for us, but also for our loved ones. To do this, you need to ask the right questions and be prepared for what the questions they may ask in return. Here are five questions every Medicare insurance agent should be able to answer. 

What Are My Medicare Options (Part A, Part B, Part C)?

Your Medicare options can be a little complicated, so it’s important to understand what you’re looking at: 

  • Part A will cover hospitalization and hospice care, but there is no coverage for doctors or other outpatient services. 
  • There are also two different types of Part B: traditional (hospital deductible $183; copayment 20% after that) and premium-free Part B (copayment 20% after deductible).
  • Part C, which is a Medicare Advantage Plan offered by private insurance companies. There are many plans out there, and they’re all different with their own pros and cons. Compare Medicare Advantage Plans and find more information about these programs online. 

How Can I Get a Prescription Drug Plan With Medicare Coverage That Best Fits My Needs and Budget?

Ask about the prescription drug plans offered by your Medicare insurance company. They will most likely have a variety of options, including an additional plan for people with low incomes or who live in certain areas. Even if you don’t qualify for these extra benefits, they may be able to steer you towards other resources that can help.  

Your Medicare insurance agent will also be able to answer questions about which drugs are covered and how much they cost. Compare your options online. Medicare is designed to give its members a wide range of health care choices, but it can still be hard to figure out which one will work best for you. Your agent should ensure you’re getting the coverage that’s right for your needs and budget. 

Which Medicare Advantage Plan Is Right For Me?

Ask your agent which plan will work best for you. If they don’t provide an answer, ask them what plans are available in your area and which ones have the benefits that matter most to you – prescription drugs, doctor visits or hospital stays. Take some time to learn about the different Medicare Advantage Plans online before meeting with a provider. It’s important to learn about all of your options. 

Each plan has different monthly premiums, copays, limits on doctor visits, prescription drug coverage and hospital stays. There’s a wide range of plans to choose from that have different benefits, so you can find one that best suits your lifestyle or financial capability. Your agent should advise you on the difference and help you make an informed decision.

Do I Need To Sign Up for Both Parts A & B?

Your Medicare Insurance agent should also be able to answer this question for you. Part A is the hospital insurance, which covers a lifetime of inpatient care and hospice services, if needed. Part B is medical coverage that includes outpatient doctor visits, diagnostic tests, treatment for chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure, and ambulance service, among other things. 

You can sign up for Part A without Part B, or sign up for Part B without Part A. Your GPO might also be able to provide information related to this decision as well. Your agents should work with the GPO to make sure you can get the redundancy coverage that is right for your needs.

How Much Will It Cost if I Don’t Sign Up for the Medicare Savings Program? 

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If you don’t sign up for the Medicare Savings Program, you’ll have to pay your out-of-pocket costs on Day 1. This means that unless you’re one of those people who’s still working and are eligible for a workplace plan, or are lucky enough to live in a state like California which offers free health care coverage under MediCal, you’ll have to come up with a lot of money. 

You might also need Medicare Part B, but if the agent is not sure about this, he or she should refer you to your GPO so that they can help assess whether it’s worth signing up for both parts at once or not.

Ask the Right Questions

By asking these five simple questions, you’ll be able to get answers from your Medicare Insurance agent and figure out if he or she is the right person for the job. You’ll also have a better idea if you’re getting the best value out of your Medicare Insurance.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.