Morgan Hill Life Medicare specialist Cheri Brown answers questions
Dear Medicare Cheri,
Cheri Brown
I live in Hollister, and I am really frustrated with my Medicare Advantage plan. I picked it when I turned 65 because it was less expensive. I like my primary doctor, but when I needed to see a dermatologist, I was sent to Los Gatos. That is more than 45 miles each way. And this doctor wants to take two visits to do what my old dermatologist did in one visit. What are my options?
Signed Hollister Haybaler
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Dear Hollister Haybaler,
When you signed up for Medicare you had two choices, a Medicare Advantage plan with a network, or a Medicare Supplement which allows you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare. This plan gives you freedom, but it has a higher monthly fee.
And, after you pay the deductible of $233 you have no co-payments for Medicare A and B covered items. There are some new Medicare Advantage PPO’s available but a Medicare Supplement will give you access to most physicians in the South Valley area.
Usually if you want to join a Medicare Supplement after your initial enrollment period, you need to have a Guarantee Issue. It acts like a Medicare Mulligan allowing you to make a change with no penalty. If you don’t have a Guarantee Issue you must go through medical underwriting and the plan can choose not to accept you.
There is a unique opportunity until the end of 2022 to join a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting. The premiums will be higher, but freedom isn’t free and you will be able to see any dermatologist that accepts Medicare.
Do you have Medicare questions? Write to [email protected] to get your answers.
Cheri Brown is a licensed insurance agent with decades of experience with Medicare health insurance plans. She can be contacted at (408) 476-0034, [email protected] and through her website www.cheri-brown.com.
