Navigating Medicare
Medicare help is here for you
As an experienced broker, Rebecca Montero believes that developing lasting relationships built on transparency and service is the only path to great service. RLM proactively supports clients through annual policy reviews, helping to navigate rate changes, and keeping track of carrier reliability and satisfaction ratings.
Whether assisting a first-time enrollee or reviewing supplemental options for someone turning 70, Rebecca’s depth of knowledge, experience and personal attention ensures that every client secures the best value and peace of mind from their Medicare coverage.
The Four Parts of Medicare
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient stays at hospitals, some skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and limited home health care. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they’ve paid Medicare taxes for enough years while working, but deductibles and coinsurance still apply to covered services.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It covers services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs and walkers), and many preventive services like screenings and vaccinations. Part B usually requires a monthly premium and may also have deductibles and coinsurance.
Medicare Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. It’s an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and is offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare but can also include extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. Costs, network choices, and additional perks vary by plan.
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Offered by private insurers, these plans help pay for outpatient prescriptions. You can get Part D as a stand-alone plan if you have Original Medicare, or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. Each Part D plan has its own list of covered drugs (formulary), and costs—including premiums, deductibles, and medication copays—vary by plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
[We have answers…]
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that primarily serves people age 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), helping cover various health care costs as people age or manage chronic illness.
Medicare consists of four main parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage, offered by private insurers), and Part D (prescription drug coverage); each covers different types of health services and has distinct costs and enrollment requirements.
Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65, but people under 65 may also qualify if they receive Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 24 months or have certain medical conditions such as ESRD or ALS.
Enrollment in Medicare can be automatic if already receiving Social Security benefits when turning 65, but if not, it requires an active application; there are specific enrollment periods for signing up, making changes, or adding coverage.
While many people do not pay premiums for Part A (if they have a sufficient work history), everyone pays premiums for Part B and possibly Parts C and D; additional costs can include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, which vary by plan and income.
Medicare does not cover all health expenses—routine dental, vision, hearing care, and long-term custodial care are generally not covered, so additional insurance or out-of-pocket payment may be necessary for these services.
Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B and provides broad provider choice but requires separate policies for drug coverage and supplemental insurance, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles benefits through private insurers and often includes extras like dental, vision, and drug coverage with network restrictions.
Yes, it is possible to have Medicare and other types of insurance, such as employer coverage, Medicaid, or Medigap supplemental policies, but the order in which each pays (primary or secondary) depends on the circumstances and can affect out-of-pocket costs and covered services.
Your Dream. Our Mission.