Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Medicare and choosing the right Medicare Plan for your situation can be confusing and frustrating. Our experience navigating Medicare has given us the inside knowledge to help you. Which is why we have dedicated this page of our website to answering the most common questions we are asked on a daily basis.
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Should I Figure out Medicare on My Own?
I have a love/hate relationship with computers. Maybe you can relate?
Recently I decided to get serious about my company’s computer programs and marketing. I aimed to make my website and marketing materials as simple and straightforward as possible.
I spent weeks trying to find the right information online, I was more confused than when I started.
I decided to hire a professional in the Online Marketing industry.
He asked me some questions about my company and then gave me specific and quick information on exactly what I needed to do.
He walked me through the steps I needed to take to accomplish my goal.
I was confident and knowledgeable about what to do to get started!
Medicare is the same way.
Researching online and reading book after book will make you more confused than when you started.
I am an expert on everything Medicare. Just like the computer professional I hired, I will quickly provide you with all the information and answers to all your questions.
The first step is to go to the Understanding Medicare page and download or watch my 27-minute Medicare basics presentation. This will give you a great well-rounded picture of how Medicare works.
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How Can I Figure Out Medicare On My Own?
– Get educated on Medicare and how it works
– Enroll in Medicare Part A & Part B
– Decide between a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan
– Get assistance enrolling in a Plan. Price is the same using an INDEPENDENT ADVISOR as call ALL insurance companies yourself for a quote.
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How To Sign Up For Medicare In 5 Minutes
Watch this short video to learn how to sign up for Medicare Parts A & B in 5 minutes.
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Will I be Automatically Enrolled into Medicare?
You are already receiving your Social Security check OR RailRoad Retirement Board check before you turn 65.
If you are NOT receiving S.S. or R.R.B. check before turning 65 you need to Self Enroll into Medicare.
You MUST have a SSA.GOV account FIRST. Go to ssa.gov/medicareonly and Self Enroll.
OR
Call Local S.S. office for appointment.
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How Do I Get My Medicare I.D. # and Part A & B Effective Dates?
Locating your Medicare I.D. # is not nearly as hard as you would think. This video shows you step by step; screen by screen how to locate it on ssa.gov
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What Are The Differences Between Medicare Supplement & Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Parts A and B pay 80% of medical bills, but there are still some gaps/bills that you will be responsible for paying.
To mitigate these risks/bills there are 2 options for additional coverage: Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.
In today’s video, I will show you the differences between these 2 options so you can choose the one that fits your personal needs the best.
(medicare supplemental and medicare advantage plan)
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How Do I Start Medicare After Losing Coverage From An Employer?
Losing a job is never fun, but if you have or are planning on retiring (and you are over 65), you will need to start your Medicare. Medicare is confusing, so in this short video I will show you the exact steps you need to take so you can start your Medicare after losing employer coverage. See Video
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How Does My HSA Change When I Get On Medicare?
HSA accounts are great ways to save money and they have incredible benefits. Those benefits change, once you enroll into Medicare Part A or B.
– What is an HSA? Health Savings Account. Pre-taxed
– Can you contribute to HSA after 65? NO
– How can your Funds be used?
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Will Medicare Make Me Change My Doctor Or Hospital?
Medicare Advantage plans have a network of doctors and hospitals you must stay within for your care. However, Medicare Supplement plans will let you visit any doctor or hospital that take Medicare; almost all do, 96% or more.
In this video I will explain which plans allow you to keep visiting your current doctor or hospital. See Video
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How Do I Avoid Penalty’s When Enrolling In Medicare?
Enrolling in Medicare can be a convoluted process for a lot of people, but it does not need to be.
One of the most confusing parts for people is, “When do I enroll?” You can enroll 3 months before your birth month, during your birth month, and 3 months after your birth month.
If you want the added security, or just want me to simplify the enrollment process by walking you through it from beginning to end, call me at 913-687-5106.
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What Do I Do If You Get An Unexpected Medical Bill?
This happens occasionally and can be very frustrating, these are the questions you need to ask.
– Have you met your Medicare Part B deductible?
– Was the bill coded correctly?
– Was it a Medicare-covered service?
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What's The Right RX Plan For My Needs While Getting The Most Coverage For My Money?
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What Are Medicare’s Rules And How Do I Follow Them?
My presentations, videos and information about Medicare is a Medicare Education Event and comes with Medicare imposed rules.
– No sales pitches.
– No specific company pricing.
– No specific product information or endorsements.
I follow all Medicare rules, regulations, and guidelines. No sales pitches. No hidden agenda. No products to buy. Rather just the most up-to-date Medicare education.
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How Can I Better Understand Medicare?
I am glad you have started your research and got started learning about your Medicare. We all know life can and does get busy. Visit my Understanding Medicare page to see the basics in less than 30 minutes.
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Who Is Cole Hammond And How Does Hammond Health Service Operate?
As a trusted senior advocate for over a decade, Cole Hammond reduces the complexity of Medicare, making it easy to understand. You will be confident and knowledgeable moving forward knowing you have the best plan to fit your individual needs.
More About Us >
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Should I Start Medicare A & B At Age 65?
I have people ask me all the time: should I start Medicare at 65?
That depends on a few factors. For the vast majority of people taking Medicare at 65 is the best option, however some people actually save money by waiting to enroll.
This short video will show you if should delay enrolling in Medicare at age 65.
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How To Avoid The #1 Mistake With Medicare?
Educate yourself so that you are confident and knowledgeable about your Medicare choices, there is no one best plan. Every person is an individual and deserves to be treated as such.
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Are Medicare Advantage Plans REALLY FREE?
– $0 monthly premium
– Probably has not had any major health issues
– Copays for Most services
– Part B premium from S.S. check
– Medicare pays $1,000 per month to the Advantage company you choose.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Medicare Advantage Plans?
– Networks— HMO and PPO
– Precertification on certain services depending on your plan
– Can only switch from October 15th – December 7th
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Understand The Medicare Part A Penalty And How To Avoid It
Most of you have been told you must take Medicare Part A at 65 even if you are still working however, this is not necessarily true.
Most people take Medicare Part A at 65. If you have contributed to S. S. taxes for 40 quarters Part A is FREE, if NOT you will be assessed a penalty. They are as follows:
$0 Monthly Cost ————– 40 Quarters
$274 Monthly Cost ————- 30 – 39 Quarters
$499 Monthly Cost ————- 0 – 29 Quarters
If you have not paid S.S. taxes for 40 quarters you can draw from your spouse to get to a total of 40 quarters.
Everyone should try to get to 40 quarters if at all possiable.
If you cannot draw from your current spouses quarters and have been previously married for at least 10 years and your former spouse is at least 62 who has at least 40 quarters and you did not remarry before 60 you can draw from that former spouses quarters.
A quarter does NOT mean three months of work rather equal to $1,410 of taxable income. So, if you have 37 quarters and you need three quarters to get to 40, you need to make $4,230 of taxable income then you will reach 40 quarters.
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How Do I Avoid The Medicare Part B Penalty?
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seventh-month window to enroll in Part B. Three months before your 65th birth month, the month you turn 65 and three months after you turn 65. If you enroll in Part B during this time you have no penalty.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is an eight-month window that starts the day your employment ends. If you enroll in Part B during this time you have no penalty.
If you miss both the IEP and SEP you must enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). You can only enroll in the first quarter of the year, January 1st – March 31st and your Medicare will start July 1st.
A 10% penalty for every 12 months you did not have Medicare Part B that you were eligible for it will apply for the remainder of your life.
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How Can I Avoid Medicare Part D Penalties?
You can enroll in a Part D RX plan during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or Special Enrollment Period (SEP) with no penalty.
If you enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15th – December 7th, your plan will go effective on January 1 of the following year.
If you do not enroll in a Part D plan in either the (IEP) or the (SEP) you will be assessed a $4 per month penalty for every year you are eligible for a Part D plan you do not take one for the rest of your life.
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How Much Does Medicare Parts B & D Cost Per Month?
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Will My Monthly Medicare Cost Go Up Each Year?
Yes, you will have a cost increase every year for your Medicare Supplement plan. The national average of increase is 3% – 6% annually. This is based on the risk and risk pool assessment.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the cost can but USUALY does not change annually.
Here are what some of my current client have to say about my services.
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What Our Clients Are Saying
Fantastic From Start To Finish
"Wow I was totally impressed with the top-notch service I received from Cole Hammond! I have been on Medicare for four years now and was getting overwhelmed with all the mail and phone calls I continued to get from agents and insurance companies trying to sell me different plans. I never felt pressured at all by Cole to pick a plan. He took his time with me and explained all my options with Medicare. After discussing we selected a plan that was a perfect fit for me. I highly recommend Hammond Health Service to any person who is on or about to be on Medicare."
Bob-
Slide title
“I have been in Senior care for 20 years and the Medicare insurance options are more and more confusing every year! This year, in preparation for trying to explain, answer questions, and provide some direction to Seniors about their options, I decided to attend a presentation at St. Joseph Medical Center, called, “Navigating the Medicare Maze”, the speaker was Robert Cole Hammond, III. Cole spoke in terms that the audience could clearly understand. He spoke of historic Medicare and how it has changed over the years, and then spoke of the most recent changes. This was a wonderful approach, as it laid the ground work for those Seniors in attendance who had seen some of those changes; it provided some context for why we are where we are, and it made a great deal of sense. He stayed afterward and answered every question; and they were many! Two of my Senior acquaintances were in attendance at the presentation and they took information back to their friends and bragged about how knowledgeable the speaker was! So glad to now know how to get hold of Cole and help those Seniors who need some insurance information!”
Mary Butler-Smith, PT -
Slide title
“As the Community Liaison for St. Joseph Medical Centers Senior Care Services providing important information to our elders in the community is a high priority. When I met and heard Robert Cole Hammond II, President CEO of Hammond Health Service present on Medicare I trusted his delivery to come to St. Joseph and provide a similar presentation on “Navigating the Medicare Maze”. The goal was to help people make Medicare enrollment stress free. Cole shared upcoming changes to Medicare in 2019 that was informative, and easy to understand. I am confident that everyone who attended left with an understanding of what to do next and a sense of relief.”
Kim Chalmers
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Disclaimer:
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1–800–MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.