Medicare Questions, Answered Plainly

Nothing. Medicare brokers are compensated directly by the insurance carriers, not by you. Your monthly premium is exactly the same whether you enroll through me or call the carrier yourself. There is no fee, no markup, and no hidden charge — ever.

When you call a carrier, they can only show you their own plans. As an independent broker, I'm not tied to any single company — I can compare options across multiple carriers to find the plan that fits your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. One conversation covers the whole market, not just one slice of it.

I'm fully independent. I hold contracts with multiple carriers and have no obligation to recommend any particular one. My job is to find the right fit for you, not to fill a quota for a specific company.

The answer depends on your situation. If you're turning 65, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period — it begins three months before your birthday month and ends three months after. If you're losing or leaving employer health coverage, you typically have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up without a late penalty. Missing these windows can result in permanent premium increases, so timing matters. I can walk you through exactly when your window opens and closes.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, anyone already on Medicare can switch plans, change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, or update their Part D drug plan. If you're enrolling for the first time, your Initial Enrollment Period takes priority — the AEP is for people who are already enrolled and want to make changes.

Yes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare, this is your window. Changes made during this period take effect the first of the following month. If your situation is more specific, a quick call can help clarify your options.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan — it typically includes drug coverage and may include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, often at a low or $0 monthly premium. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare and helps cover the out-of-pocket costs Medicare doesn't pay, such as deductibles and coinsurance. The right choice depends on your health needs, how often you use care, and whether you travel or split time between states. It's one of the more important decisions in Medicare, and I'm happy to compare both side by side for your situation.

It depends on the plan. Before I recommend anything, I check your doctors and any specialists you see against the plan's network — and I verify that your prescriptions are covered under the plan's formulary. I won't put you in a plan where your care is disrupted. If a plan doesn't include your providers, we look at other options.

Original Medicare doesn't cover most dental, vision, or hearing care, and it doesn't cover the cost-sharing gaps that can add up after a hospital stay. That's where Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies, and supplemental products like hospital indemnity or cancer and critical illness insurance come in. I'll help you identify which gaps are worth addressing based on your health history and risk tolerance.

Hospital indemnity insurance pays you a fixed cash benefit when you're admitted to a hospital or have a covered outpatient procedure. It's designed to offset the cost-sharing gaps in Medicare Advantage plans — copays and coinsurance that can reach into the hundreds or thousands of dollars after a serious event. Whether it makes sense for you depends on the plan you're on and how you'd handle an unexpected out-of-pocket expense. We can look at it together once we've reviewed your primary coverage.

These are lump-sum critical illness policies that pay a cash benefit directly to you if you're diagnosed with a covered condition. The benefit can be used however you need — for treatment costs, travel to a specialist, or everyday bills while you recover. They're not a replacement for your health coverage, but they can provide meaningful financial breathing room after a serious diagnosis.

Final expense insurance is a type of whole life policy designed to cover end-of-life costs — funeral and burial expenses, outstanding medical bills, or anything else you'd like to leave settled for your family. Coverage amounts are typically smaller than traditional life insurance, and many policies are available without a medical exam. I can walk you through the options that fit your age, health, and budget.

Yes. I work with clients who are looking for a guaranteed income stream in retirement — an annuity can provide that. It's a newer part of my practice, and I'm happy to have a conversation about whether it fits your overall financial picture. I'll always be straightforward about what an annuity does and doesn't do before we discuss any product.

I'm licensed in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Maine. About 95% of my work is done virtually — by phone or video — so you don't need to be near my office and I don't need to come to your home. If you're in the St. Louis metro, St. Charles County, or Metro East Illinois, I serve those areas as well. Wherever you are in my licensed states, we can work together comfortably at a distance.

The easiest first step is a free 15-minute phone call. We'll talk through where you are in the Medicare process, what your coverage priorities are, and what options are worth exploring. There's no obligation and no pressure. You can also reach me by phone at 636-675-7958 or submit the contact form and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.