Medicare can be a pain to understand: Ari Parker, Author of It’s Not That Complicated

A live and interactive discussion with Ari Parker, JD Co-Founder of Chapter and the best-selling author of It’s Not That Complicated. Just in time for open season, join us for a discussion that will understand how to pick the right plan for your situation. Providers Is it important for you to continue seeing the same doctors? Prescriptions Which plan lets you pay the least for your medications? Priorities What matters most to you: cost, choice, or quality of care?

• Email Questions: connect@askchapter.org
• Here is a link to talk to Ari's team of advisors Select your state, then pick a time to speak with a Medicare advisor 
• FREE Copy of Ari's Book IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED 

Questions Asked:

• Pros and Cons of Traditional Medicare vs Managed Care plans especially for those on Medicaid as well as Medicare. Thank you, in advance for your presentation.
• Why does Medicare Advantage have such a bad reputation.  Doctors always comment that they never get paid, always follow-ups for them to answer questions.
• My Physical Therapist says you must have a referral for PT.  I have origianl Medical and Medigap plan G If I choose Advantage, can I switch to traditional in the future?
• Is DC included in the 46 states/
• Why are those 4 states different from the others since Medicare is a federal program?
• I am a retired Federal government employee and have  a Federal Government Employee health plan? How does that work with medicare?
• what are the implications of having to answer questions about your health history in order to switch or switch back?
• I have encountered state plans for retirees that bill part A and B first and then the MA plans covers secondary (or at least that's what it looks like). Can you explain how these work?
• Clarification:  Did you say we do not need referrals if you have original Medicare and Medigap for services?  But you need a doctor to say you need PT (a referral) ??? Can we not self refer for PT then? Are there other things you need referrals for?
• Is there a fee to meet with an advisor?
• Can you comment on the differences between FEHB and Medigap? Which is more advantageous in terms of care coverage and price?
• I have been paying Manhattan Life and Delta Dental and have received NO reimbursements for hearing or dental claims submitted. Where can I get help?
• Do you have to cancel your  current medigap plan  if you decide to shop around for  a different carrier?
• To clarify, is the option for Medicare to be primary and MA to be secondary only available through state plans? And if MA plan is secondary, does beneficiary still have cost sharing?
• Tell me if I should call but I suspect a lot of people in DMV have Kaiser. Should it be considered just like any MA advantage plan or is Kaiser different? Covered under Spouse retired Federal empl. with Kaiser who just turned 65.
• Does Medicare Advantage plans have language in regards to funding for home accessibility (i.e. ramps, bathroom modifications, grab bars)? Would a letter of medical necessity assist in a person getting assistance?

Chat Transcript

12:00:45     From  Louis Tenenbaum : Hooray! for all these wonderful events, Thanks Steve!

12:03:08     From  Myra Johnson : I have attended many.  You are excellent an excellent discussion leader.  We appreciate you!

12:06:35     From  paula david : sorry

12:07:35     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Roberta Brooks 12:07 PM 

Pros and Cons of Traditional Medicare vs Managed Care plans especially for those on Medicaid as well as Medicare. Thank you, in advance for your presentation.

12:08:08     From  Bonnie Elliott   to   Hosts and panelists : Can’t hear

12:08:10     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is a link to receive the FREE book! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEXUoYl0-Blu0igA29VqSm45Ct0u1XfJbHlnJhG8HnVrDhPQ/viewform

12:09:13     From  Bonnie Elliott   to   Hosts and panelists : Never mind

12:09:39     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : connect@askchapter.org

12:10:26     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is a link to talk to Ari's team of advisors Select your state, then pick a time to speak with a Medicare advisor https://calendly.com/d/zkw-m37-5j7

12:23:33     From  Eva Popat : should You shop for Medigap every year to reduce the cost?

12:23:51     From  Elizabeth Nolte : Is there any medical insurance plan that employers can provide for their employees older than 65 to help cover their part A copay or Part B medical expenses that is less expensive than insurance plans they provide for their younger employees?

12:24:29     From  Eva Popat : can you swap option 1 with 2 every year?

12:24:39     From  Louis Tenenbaum   to   Hosts and panelists : I have Medicare Advantage from Kaiser. I want to switch (to medigap?) because  I need a procedure they do not do well. Will this be difficult because I can be underwritten?

12:28:34     From  Joe Sperling : Are Medigap plans subject to the same open enrollment period?

12:30:17     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is a link to receive the FREE book! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEXUoYl0-Blu0igA29VqSm45Ct0u1XfJbHlnJhG8HnVrDhPQ/viewform

12:31:42     From  paul Levesque   to   Hosts and panelists : Refused supplemental plan live in Florida any suggestions

12:32:17     From  Sibo Ncube : I turned 65-on June 10th.  I have not applied for Medicare Part A or B. Am I still within the 3-months eligibility period?. Can I  apply tomorrow?

12:32:59     From  Alexandra Johnson   to   Hosts and panelists : Help!! I have Medicare and Medicaid and am on SSDI. I am 58 and am having major issues with the two of them not communicating!! I have had a three way with both and my social worker and NO one can figure out the glitch!!

12:35:08     From  Roberta Brooks : Thank you. That is very helpful.

12:37:13     From  Cedar Dvorin : Very briefly: Medicare Advantage companies have been cited for overbilling the government and making it hard for people to get the care they need without appealing.

12:37:14     From  Roberta Brooks : My main concerns for medicare advantage plans has to do with availability of rehabilitation services. Having worked in the area of rehabilitation services for 40 years, I saw many people on advantage plans who had very. High copays for therapy or very limited number of visits. I notice rehab therapy coverage rarely seem to be mentioned during their commercials

12:37:42     From  Cedar Dvorin : Free, unbiased Medicare counseling- in Virginia's SHIP (VICAP- Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program) 800-552-3402.  In Alexandria call 703-746-5999.  Or, in the rest of Northern Virginia call you local Area Agency on Aging.

12:38:34     From  Deb Wilburn : What dental coverage is covered under Medicare?

12:42:17     From  Joe Sperling : Are hearing aid benefits available in any of the Med Supp plans?  Anticipated in original Medicare anytime soon?

12:42:29     From  Deb Wilburn : In your presentation, you talked about two options. What if I want to opt out of Medigap and use my secondary insurance?

12:44:52     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : connect@askchapter.org

Here is a link to talk to Ari's team of advisors Select your state, then pick a time to speak with a Medicare advisor https://calendly.com/d/zkw-m37-5j7

12:47:08     From  Kristin Helfer Koester : This is a great resource on Medigap - https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02110-medigap-guide-health-insurance.pdf

12:47:33     From  Cedar Dvorin : People with most FEHB plans, who enroll in Medicare, will have no deductibles or co-pays. Check with your plan. Even if your co-pay is 20%, 20% of a lot of money is a lot of money.

12:49:09     From  Eva Popat   to   Hosts and panelists : what is the best option for prescription, dental and vision benefits

12:52:53     From  Cedar Dvorin : Contact your state Bureau of Insurance if the company is not paying. But you need to read the fine print- probably under a microscope!

12:55:39     From  Carol Guest : Can you recommend additional books for public libraries?

12:59:56     From  Edith Harriet   to   Hosts and panelists : Is there a telephone number for DC to get in touch with ARi

12:59:59     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Here is a link to receive the FREE book! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEXUoYl0-Blu0igA29VqSm45Ct0u1XfJbHlnJhG8HnVrDhPQ/viewform

13:00:34     From  MaryBeth Matthews : Thank you! I really appreciate the clarity!

13:00:37     From  Pam Phillips : ARI, you are so Fabulous!  Thank you <3

13:00:58     From  Eva Popat   to   Hosts and panelists : Thank  you for wonderful discussion, very helpful

13:00:58     From  paul Levesque   to   Hosts and panelists : thanks have set appointment

13:01:09     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : connect@askchapter.org

Here is a link to talk to Ari's team of advisors Select your state, then pick a time to speak with a Medicare advisor https://calendly.com/d/zkw-m37-5j7