Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and for certain people under 65 with disabilities or specific conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease. You qualify for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). Part B requires a monthly premium regardless.

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab work, and durable medical equipment. Together they’re called Original Medicare.

No. Original Medicare has significant gaps. Part B leaves you responsible for 20% of most medical costs with no out-of-pocket cap. It also doesn’t cover routine dental, vision, hearing, or prescription drugs. Most people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan to fill these gaps.

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months after. Enrolling late without qualifying employer coverage triggers permanent late penalties on Part B and Part D premiums.

Part A is $0 for most people. Part B is $185/month standard (higher if your income exceeds certain thresholds). The Part B deductible is $257/year. After that, you pay 20% of most services with no cap, which is why most people add supplemental coverage.

A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare to cover some or all of the costs Medicare leaves behind, like the 20% Part B coinsurance and hospital deductibles. You keep full access to any provider that accepts Medicare, nationwide, with no networks or referrals required.

Plan G covers nearly everything after the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026), leaving you with very predictable, near-zero out-of-pocket costs. Plan N costs less per month but adds copays ($20 for doctor visits, $50 for ER) and doesn’t cover Part B excess charges. If you use healthcare frequently, Plan G often saves more overall.

Yes. Any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare (which is most providers in the U.S.) will accept your Medigap plan. There are no networks, no referrals, and no prior authorizations. This is one of the biggest advantages of Medigap over Medicare Advantage.

No. Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You’ll need to add a separate Part D drug plan. The exception is plans sold before 2006, which are no longer available to new enrollees.

In most states, switching Medigap carriers after your initial Open Enrollment window requires medical underwriting, meaning you can be denied or charged more based on health. Missouri’s Anniversary Rule is an exception: it gives you an annual window to switch carriers without underwriting.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare offered through private insurers. Instead of Medicare paying directly, a private plan manages your benefits within a provider network. Most plans bundle drug coverage and extras like dental and vision.

Neither is universally better. It depends on your health, budget, and priorities. Medigap offers more predictable costs and complete provider freedom. Advantage often has lower premiums but uses networks and has copays each time you use care. The key risk: switching back to Medigap from Advantage later may require underwriting.

Most Medicare Advantage plans only cover you in their service area network (except emergencies). If you travel frequently or spend significant time in another state, a Medicare Supplement plan, which covers you anywhere Medicare is accepted in the U.S., is generally the better fit.

Probably yes, unless you have other creditable drug coverage. Going without Part D for 63+ consecutive days after you’re first eligible triggers a permanent late enrollment penalty (1% per month) added to your premium for life. Even a low-cost plan protects you from the penalty and covers you if your needs change.

The best Part D plan depends entirely on your specific medications. Check that each drug is on the formulary, what tier it’s on, and whether your preferred pharmacy is in-network. The plan with the lowest premium is often not the lowest total cost when you factor in copays. We can run this comparison for you in a free review.

No. We are licensed independent agents compensated by the insurance carriers when you enroll. There is never a fee to you for our guidance, consultations, or ongoing service.

We are fully independent. We are not captive to any single carrier and have no parent company telling us what to sell. We represent multiple carriers and recommend the plan that actually fits you, not the one that pays us the most.

We primarily serve the Kansas City metro area including Kansas City MO, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Belton, and surrounding communities. We can also help clients in Missouri and Kansas statewide by phone or video.

Book a free review using the button below. We’ll look at your specific situation, your doctors, medications, and budget, and give you a clear, unbiased recommendation. No pressure, no sales tactics.