Ask Ron Your Medicare Questions
If you’re struggling to understand Medicare benefits, we can help. Ask Ron about how to navigate Medicare and maximize your benefits.
The Latest Medicare Questions and Answers
Canceled Coverage
If my Medicare Advantage Plan coverage was canceled by an insurer in 2021 due to no fault of my own and unknown to me until after the fact, can I enroll in another plan with the same insurer in 2022? This insurer only offers HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in my area. -Barbara
Contacting an Insurance Agent
Is it a good idea to use an insurance agent when applying for Medigap and Plan D? -Elka
Contacting Medicare
How do I call Medicare? -Sarah
Coverage Appeals
How can my patient’s family appeal a Medicare coverage decision? -Krissy
Dental Coverage
I am seeking info on dental coverage with AARP Medicare Advantage/United Healthcare PPO. Is there any coverage at all? And if so, what is the coverage? -Janice
I need to find a plan that my dentist participates in. -Suzanne
What will Medicare pay if you need dental implants? -Rebeca
Dual Enrollment
Can you have both Medicare and Medicaid? -James
Living Outside of the United States
I have enrolled in Part A & Part B but have not made payment arrangements yet. My enrollment location is Massachusetts, but I currently split time between Europe and the U.S. I will likely purchase a home in New York in the coming months and live there more than 183 days per year. Since part of the year I live outside the United States, can I deactivate and activate my plan as required? -Charles
Mandatory Medicare
Is it mandatory to go on Medicare when you turn 65? -Mary
Medicare and VA Coverage
Ron, I am a 70% disabled Vietnam veteran. The only prescription I need help with is Trulicity. (Tier 3) -Thank you, David
I have Medicare Part A. My medical is VA full coverage. Can I still get covered for dental through Medicare Advantage? I do not have Medicare Part B. -Robert
Medicare Denial
Can you be denied Medicare? -John
Medicare Enrollment
I have become unhappy with Kaiser but given their rating. I wonder if all providers have experienced a degradation in services lately. -Ken
Medicare MSA Plans
I am interested in Medicare MSA Plans for my Part C and they seem difficult to find, why is that? -Charles
Medicare Part B
Is it mandatory to have Medicare Part B? -Michael
Medigap
Can a patient with Medicare part A and B get a Medigap plan that will cover co-insurance and deductible while they are currently admitted in a short-term acute care hospital? -Samantha
Moving From a Work Plan
My husband and I are on his work plan. He will turn 65 in two years and plans on working for many years. I am only 59 (funny, 20 years ago I thought that was so old. Now, not so much!) and I am on his plan.
Does it make sense for us both to stay on his plan till I become eligible for Medicare? We pay a fortune for his plan for us both, but it is a premium plan. I think it’s about $1,400 a month: 900 for me and 500 for him. The employer pays a large majority of his and a small amount of mine.
Should he sign up for Part A and keep his plan as well? If he signs up for Part A Medicare, could we potentially get a reduction from the private plan? It’s BCBS. Thank you in advance for your assistance. -Denise
I have been on my husband’s insurance, but he is retiring in three months. I already have Medicare A but that is all, so what do I need to do to get my insurance brought up to date and be covered? I am 73 and diabetic but I do take medicine to control it. -Bobbie
Moving With Medicare
I am presently with United Healthcare as my Medicare Advantage Plan. My agent here has advised me to find and agent in Maine to advise me about changes. Thanks so much. -Debbie
We are moving my brother-in-law to PA from TN. He currently has UHC in TN. What steps does he need to do to have this plan automatically transfer to PA? Will he lose any coverage? Please advise. -Teresa
I am starting our move from Nashville, TN area next week. We hope to move into our new home in late July. What is the process of changing Medicare plans from one state to another? -Gilbert
Plan N Guaranteed Issue Rights
Can you tell me if Medicare supplement plan N is a guaranteed enrollment plan? -Jim
Preventive Breast Cancer Surgery
I am 81 years old and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Because I was being treated for arthritis, I may have had this disease process over 18 to 24 months. My left breast is involved and soon I will get a bone scan to see how far the cancer has spread.
My question to you is, if the surgeon removes my afflicted left breast, will Medicare help pay for the right one to be removed at the same time? Since my three sisters and myself all have cancer, it is almost certain cancer will show up in the right breast. Is preventive surgery accepted under Medicare? -Nora
Qualify for Medicare
Who qualifies for Medicare? -Rebecca
Respite Care
Are there any Medicare advantage programs (Part C?) in Alabama that will pay for seniors to have home care services, such as personal care, homemaker services or unskilled respite? -Tiffanie
Hi Ron, My sister is the full-time caregiver for my parents who both have dementia. On top of that, she is working full time and has a son in Kindergarten. She needs help with services such as adult care and in-home caregivers. We are in desperate need of a reliable and dependable agency or trained individual who can provide respite. Both of them are on Medicare. My dad needs the most help with Medicare A and B I believe. My mom has SSDI – Medicare. They live in Waimea, Kauai and Kekaha. I would love to talk to a Medicare counseling specialist. Thanks in advance. -Amanda
Retirement
Hello, I am 65 and plan to retire in May. I am enrolled in an employer health plan and I also have Medicare Part A. My health coverage runs out in August and my wife does not work. She has not been able to work for nine years due to a medical condition, but she does not have disability status. She is 57 years old. I have two main questions: 1. Since I will only have Social Security income for both of us (and my wife nothing for five years), as well as some savings, what Medicare Advantage Plan is best and most affordable for me? I would like to avoid any premiums if possible. I have no major health problems. 2. What plan is best for my wife? I am assuming it will have to be a federally subsidized health plan. -John
Supplement Plan Acceptance
Does the Cleveland Clinic (facilities and doctors) accept MOO Medicare plan G. MOO does not show on their on-line list of insurances accepted. -Tom
Supplement Plan Denial
I tried to sign up with a major insurance company for the supplemental Medicare Plan N. They refused coverage in Plan N and said I could only get Plan F. The reason they said is because I use a prescription which disqualifies me for Plan N.
Is taking this 1 drug reason enough for them to say I can’t get Plan N?
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. -Jim
Vision Benefits
My mother-in-law had cataract surgery on both eyes. She just got a new pair of prescription eyeglasses. I thought there was a program for her to get a partial payment on her new prescription glasses. Does she need to fill out a form to do that? Where can I get a form for her? Thank you! -Charlene Simpson
My aunt is nearly blind with macular degeneration and we are wondering if Iris Vision glasses for the visually impaired would be covered by Medicare? My aunt lives alone at home, and is pretty self-sufficient, except for her eyesight. -Sandy
What Medicare Covers
If Medicare pays for ostomy supplies, should I pay a copay if I have part B and supplemental Aetna plan G? -Tamara
Will medicare cover my diabetic supplies such as strips and a monitor? -Helen
I currently have a UHC HMO plan. I am a state retiree and will be 65 in August. I am on a specialty medicine. Will my specialty medicine be covered if I choose the UHC Medicare Advantage Standard Plan instead of the UHC Medicare Advantage Premium plan? -Janet
I had a total right knee replacement. My surgeon has given me a prescription for rehabilitation sessions (outpatient). The rehabilitation facility is charging me a $20.00 copay for each session. I had rehabilitation five years ago for the left knee replacement and there was no copay. Has this changed and I am now required to pay $20 for each session? -Kenneth
Working With Medicare
Can I work full time while on Medicare? -Robert