In this episode of the Transition to Medicare podcast, we demystify the often misunderstood topic of Medigap premium increases, offering listeners comprehensive insights into the complexities of Medicare Supplement plans. As you approach 65 and consider your Medicare options or continue on your Medicare coverage, it's crucial to understand what factors into Medigap premium increases. This episode uncovers key aspects such as 'loss ratio' and the practice of insurance companies opening and closin...
Jun 06, 2023•22 min
Are you curious about how Medicare brokers earn their living and how this may impact you, the consumer? In this enlightening episode, we pull back the curtain on the commission structures for selling Medicare products, shedding light on the often-misunderstood world of Medicare commissions. We unravel how brokers are paid, from selling Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans to hidden incentives that add to their earnings. Learn the distinction between initial and renewal plans and how commission r...
May 25, 2023•28 min
Medicare supplement plans can be a great way to fill the gaps in your Medicare coverage, but there are common mistakes that can have costly consequences. In this episode, we'll cover mistakes such as not considering Medigap coverage during your open enrollment period, not considering the cost of the plan, choosing the cheapest plan, not understanding the coverage, and not comparing plans when you are first enrolling. In this episode, we will provide valuable insights and tips for avoiding these ...
May 08, 2023•19 min
In this podcast, we will be discussing the top five biggest mistakes people make when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans can be confusing, and making the wrong choice can have costly consequences. We will cover common mistakes such as not checking if your doctor is in-network, not comparing plan costs, not reviewing prescription drug coverage, not taking advantage of additional benefits, and not reviewing the plan annually. We will provide tips and strategies for avoidi...
Apr 25, 2023•18 min
Are Medicare Advantage plans as bad as people on social media make them seem? Should you just enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan instead? Some of the "pros" of Medicare Advantage plans include: - They often provide extra benefits that are not covered by Original Medicare - Low monthly premiums (often $0/month) - Prescription drug coverage is typically included in Medicare Advantage coverage - Maximum out of pocket that Original Medicare does not have - Ability to change from one Medicare Advan...
Apr 10, 2023•17 min
Are Medicare Advantage plans more popular and better than Medicare Supplement plans now? Should you still consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan? Some of the "pros" of Medigap plans include: - Freedom to see providers across the country that accept Original Medicare - Low out-of-pocket medical costs - Prior authorization is very rarely ever needed - Plans are guaranteed to renew as long as you pay your monthly premiums - Premium increases are not determined by your individual claims So...
Mar 27, 2023•16 min
*Sources are at the bottom of the show notes* Medication prices seemingly continue to increase year over year, so we want to provide as many solutions as we can to help you save money on your regular prescriptions. Part D and Medicare Advantage coverage are just one small part of the puzzle when it comes to what you might pay for prescriptions while on Medicare. Make sure you look at all options outside of your insurance coverage if you are prescribed expensive medications. Giardini Medicare is ...
Mar 13, 2023•20 min
You may have already heard that Medigap plans are "standardized" which means that Medigap plans with the same plan letter provide the same basic medical coverage. But then, the question you may be asking is, "which Medigap plan letter is right for me?". This is exactly what we took the time to answer in today's episode. Plan N and Plan G have both become the most popular Medigap plans in the past few years. But which one is better? Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializin...
Feb 28, 2023•22 min
One of the biggest questions we are often asked when people are making their transition to Medicare is "what about dental coverage?". Many people mistakenly think that Medicare provides coverage for routine dental services and procedures, only to be shocked that this isn't actually the case. This doesn't mean you won't have any options for dental coverage once you start Medicare, but we will use today's episode to help you better understand what your options may be. Giardini Medicare is an indep...
Feb 11, 2023•22 min
When it comes to your Medicare insurance options, we often point out the fact that your choices essentially come down to a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. With millions of Medicare beneficiaries making this same decision, we are often asked, "which option do most people choose?". Ultimately, that choice will be based on your individual budget, wants, and needs but in today's episode, we will break down national trends and talk about the data to find out whether M...
Jan 31, 2023•24 min
Many Medicare beneficiaries are surprised to learn that there are more enrollment periods than just the Annual Election Period from October 15th - December 7th. If you are currently enrolled in Medicare coverage that you are considering changing sooner than later, this is the episode for you! Sources for today's episode: Part D costs moving if you move plans: https://q1medicare.com/faq/FAQ.php?faq=Will-Part-D-TrOOP-transfer-if-I-switch-plans-midyr&faq_id=369 Medicare Special Enrollment Perio...
Jan 15, 2023•15 min
In today's episode, we discuss the key provisions of the BENES act that were passed back in late 2020 as part of the year-end spending bill. This new law is designed to limit Medicare enrollment mistakes that have previously harmed seniors. Here are some of the links to the sources we talked about during this episode: Link to the entire Consolidated Appropriations Act: https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf Link to new Part B Special Enrollment Periods being created: http...
Dec 14, 2022•14 min
The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is coming to an end on December 7th. Now is the time to start finalizing your decisions for your 2023 Medicare coverage. In this episode, we will remind you what you should do to find the right coverage for next year. There are also some important changes coming to Medicare for 2023, and here are the links so you can learn about those changes in more detail: Link to the 2023 Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-she...
Nov 28, 2022•10 min
When it comes to Medicare, Prescription Drug coverage (also called Part D) is often the most confusing and misunderstood piece of coverage that you will encounter. There are only a few different "phases" of Part D coverage, but each one can and likely will impact you financially when you go to the pharmacy to fill prescriptions. Because this topic can be hard to understand without visual information, here are some links to articles that can help you visualize what we talked about in today's epis...
Nov 16, 2022•17 min
When we help our clients with their transition to Medicare, we often hear people ask "will my pre-existing health conditions stop me from getting the Medicare coverage I want?" This is the exact question that we answer in this episode. There is a misconception that pre-existing conditions no longer matter when it comes to choosing Medicare coverage and that is not always the case! Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Me...
Nov 01, 2022•13 min
Medicare brokers are independent insurance agents that contract with many different insurance companies offering both Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. Especially during the Annual Election Period from October 15th - December 7th it is important to compare your Medicare options for the upcoming year. This is exactly where a good independent Medicare broker can help! Instead of calling dozens of insurance companies, they can compare the plan options available in yo...
Oct 19, 2022•13 min
It's that time of year again! The weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and to make it all just a little bit worse; Joe Namath and JJ Walker are constantly reminding you to "CALL NOW" But what are these commercials actually trying to sell you? That is exactly what we discuss in this episode. Learn about the extra benefits "you deserve". Discover how you can "get money back in your Social Security"... Are these commercials flat-out scams, or is there an element of truth to what...
Oct 03, 2022•16 min
The Annual Election Period of time is fast approaching. October 15 through December 7 is a time period that allow you to make certain changes to your Medicare coverages. What changes can you make? What changes might you want to consider and why? What is your timing for things should you want to make a change? Don't let this window go by if there's something you'd like to change. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medi...
Sep 19, 2022•24 min
If you know that you want to enroll in a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) plan when you become eligible for Medicare, the next step is figuring out which plan is actually right for you! You can use the process that we discuss in this episode so that you can confidently narrow down your plan options to enroll in the Medigap plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare...
Sep 05, 2022•18 min
Some pretty significant changes are coming to Medicare. Listen in to see what might affect you. Please share with family and friends that might find the information helpful as well. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We are licensed and work virtually in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX...
Aug 14, 2022•10 min
If you know that you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when you become eligible for Medicare, the next step is figuring out which Medicare Advantage plan in your area is actually right for you! Medicare Advantage plans each come with unique benefits, networks, prescription coverage, and more! You can use the process that we discuss in this episode so that you can confidently narrow down your plan options to enroll in the Medicare Advantage plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Giard...
Aug 12, 2022•22 min
Medicare enrollment periods can be very confusing and it can be hard to know when to enroll for coverage. In this episode, we break down when you can apply for Medicare using the Initial Enrollment Period, Special Enrollment Period, or even the General Enrollment Period. We also talk about when you can or cannot enroll in Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicare Supplement coverage. This episode will help you enroll in the proper coverage at the proper time to avoid coverage gaps and lifetime pe...
Jul 22, 2022•15 min
Tune in to hear about what we'd consider to be some of the top mistakes that people make as they transition into the Medicare system. Don't follow their path -- learn about some of the pitfalls you might face! Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We are licensed and work virtually in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KY...
Jul 22, 2022•21 min
Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We are licensed and work virtually in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map: https://gmedicareteam.com/map/ CLICK ...
Jul 11, 2022•19 min
Everyone is terrified of Medicare's Part D Coverage Gap... More commonly known as the "donut hole". Well, stop and listen to us describe what it actually is and see if you'll even be affected by this crazy pricing strategy. We'll describe how the donut hole works and why you should take the time to understand it if you take rather expensive prescription medications. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medica...
Jun 27, 2022•22 min
Will you get a Part B late enrollment penalty? How about a penalty related to prescription drug coverage... How do you figure it out? In this show, we'll walk through the various Medicare penalties and how you can take steps to avoid them. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We are licensed and work virtually in the following ...
Jun 04, 2022•30 min
We've discussed Medigap plans in detail in a prior episode so now we bring you all that you need to know about Medicare Advantage plans! There can be many moving parts to a Medicare Advantage plan. So, it's a good idea to get a good overview and understanding of how the system works so that you won't be surprised. _____________ Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs...
Jun 01, 2022•48 min
Confused about whether or not you can continue to fund your Health Savings Account if you enroll into Medicare? You're not alone. Listen in as we explain some of the basic do and don'ts. _____________ Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We are licensed and work virtually in the following states: AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MD,...
May 16, 2022•27 min
It's that time in life. You're ready for Medicare insurance. But, where do you go for help since it's so confusing? Well, there are a number of places to turn to and we'll discuss all of the options in today's episode. If you're starting your journey into Medicare, start here. _________ Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that fits their needs during their transition to Medicare. We a...
May 02, 2022•28 min
In this episode, Cameron and Joanne tackle the topic of IRMAA. The Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. IRMAA affects millions of people in the Medicare system and it's largely misunderstood and can come as a great surprise to many. So, get yourself prepped so that you know what might be coming AND learn what options you have in your personal situation if IRMAA might affect you. Giardini Medicare is an independent insurance agency specializing in helping Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the...
Apr 15, 2022•28 min
