The Transition to Medicare Podcast

Join us in this new episode of the "Transition to Medicare Podcast," where we unravel the intricacies of Medicare, VA coverage, and the synergy between the two. We're diving deep into VA health benefits, from eligibility and priority levels to copays and coordination with Medicare. Discover how programs like Tricare for Life and CHAMPVA function alongside Medicare, and learn why &qu...

Welcome to our latest podcast episode! In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of applying for Medicare past the age of 65. Whether you've delayed due to active employer coverage or other reasons, we've got you covered. We'll discuss why you might delay Medicare, the process of applying for Part B only or both Part A and Part B and what to do if you've delayed without ac...

Navigate the complex Medicare and COBRA insurance world with this informative episode. We dive deep into the intricacies of COBRA and Medicare, highlighting key points of eligibility, costs, and their nuanced interactions. Avoid common mistakes, understand their impact on your coverage, and make informed decisions for your health insurance needs. Tune in to empower yourself with critical knowledge...

Welcome to the "Transition to Medicare" podcast, your ultimate guide to all things Medicare. Our upcoming episode explores the lesser-known terrain of high-deductible Medicare Supplement plans - High Deductible Plan F and High Deductible Plan G. Dive into an enriching discussion that deciphers Medigap plans and their intricacies. We illuminate how high-deductible Medigap plans operate, t...

This comprehensive episode starts with the basics, clearly stating what Medicare truly is and who is eligible to benefit from it. We'll explore the complexities of costs, diving deep into the specifics of premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket limits. Understand how and when to enroll without falling into the late enrollment penalty trap. We'll delve into the essential cove...

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 epi...

 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 tha...

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...

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 addi...

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 cov...

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 rene...

*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 o...

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...

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 Me...

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...

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.ph...

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.go...

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 detai...

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...

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! Giardi...

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!...

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...

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.  G...

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 independe...

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 lic...