Anita Magri will turn age 65 in August 2020. Anita intends to enroll in Original Medicare
Part A and Part B. She would also like to enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
plan. Anita's older neighbor Mel has told her about the Medigap Part F plan in which he
is enrolled. It not only provides foreign travel emergency benefits but also covers his
Medicare Part B deductible. Anita comes to you for advice. What should you tell her? -
answer You are sorry to disappoint Anita but a Medigap Part F plan is no longer
available to those who turn age 65 after January 1,2020. Anita might instead consider
other Medigap plans that offer foreign travel benefits but do not cover the Part B
deductible.
Mr. Moy's wife has a Medicare Advantage plan, but he wants to understand what
coverage Medicare Supplemental Insurance provides since his health care needs are
different from his wife's needs. What could you tell Mr. Moy? - answer Medicare
Supplemental Insurance would help cover his Part A and Part B cost sharing in Original
Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare as well as possibly some services that Medicare does
not cover.
Mrs. Paterson is concerned about the deductibles and co-payments associated with
Original Medicare. What can you tell her about Medigap as an option to address this
concern? - answer Medigap plans help beneficiaries cover coinsurance, co-
payments, and/or deductibles for medically necessary services.
Mrs. Quinn recently turned 66 and decided after many years of work to begin receiving
Social Security benefits. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Quinn received a letter informing her
that she has been automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B. She wants to understand
what this means. What should you tell Mrs. Quinn? - answer Part B primarily covers
physician services. She will be paying a monthly premium and, with the exception of
many preventive and screening tests, generally will have 20% coinsurance for these
services, in addition to an annual deductible.
Mr. Bauer is 49 years old, but eighteen months ago he was declared disabled by the
Social Security Administration and has been receiving disability payments. He is
wondering whether he can obtain coverage under Medicare. What should you tell him? -
answer After receiving such disability payments for 24 months, he will be
automatically enrolled in Medicare, regardless of age.
What impact, if any, will recent regulatory changes have upon Medigap plans? - answer
The Part B deductible will no longer be covered for individuals newly eligible for
Medicare starting January 1, 2020.
Ms. Moore plans to retire when she turns 65 in a few months. She is in excellent health
and will have considerable income when she retires. She is concerned that her income
, will make it impossible for her to qualify for Medicare. What could you tell her to address
her concern? - answer Medicare is a program for people age 65 or older and those
under age 65 with certain disabilities, end-stage renal disease, and Lou Gehrig's
disease so she will be eligible for Medicare.
Mr. Xi will soon turn age 65 and has come to you for advice as to what services are
provided under Original Medicare. What should you tell Mr. Xi that best describes the
health coverage provided to Medicare beneficiaries? - answer Beneficiaries under
Original Medicare have no cost-sharing for most preventive services which include
immunizations such as annual flu shots.
Madeline Martinez was widowed several years ago. Her husband worked for many
years and contributed into the Medicare system. He also left a substantial estate which
provides Madeline with an annual income of approximately $130,000. Madeline, who
has only worked part-time for the last three years, will soon turn age 65 and hopes to
enroll in Original Medicare. She comes to you for advice. What should you tell her? -
answer You should tell Madeline that she will be able to enroll in Medicare Part A
without paying monthly premiums due to her husband's long work record and
participation in the Medicare system. You should also tell Madeline that she will pay
Part B premiums at more than the standard lowest rate but less than the highest rate
due her substantial income.
Juan Perez, who is turning age 65 next month, intends to work for several more years at
Smallcap, Incorporated. Smallcap has a workforce of 15 employees and offers
employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Juan is a naturalized citizen and has
contributed to the Medicare system for over 20 years. Juan asks you if he will be
entitled to Medicare and if he enrolls how that will impact his employer-sponsored
healthcare coverage. How would you respond? - answer Juan is likely to be eligible
for Medicare once he turns age 65 and if he enrolls Medicare would become the primary
payor of his healthcare claims and Smallcap does not have to continue to offer him
coverage comparable to those under age 65 under its employer-sponsored group health
plan.
Mr. Diaz continued working with his company and was insured under his employer's
group plan until he reached age 68. He has heard that there is a premium penalty for
those who did not sign up for Part B when first eligible and wants to know how much he
will have to pay. What should you tell him? - answer Mr. Diaz will not pay any penalty
because he had continuous coverage under his employer's plan.
Mr. Davis is 52 years old and has recently been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease
(ESRD) and will soon begin dialysis. He is wondering if he can obtain coverage under
Medicare. What should you tell him? - answer He may sign-up for Medicare at any
time however coverage usually begins on the fourth month after dialysis treatments
start.