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.php?faq=Will-Part-D-TrOOP-transfer-if-I-switch-plans-midyr&faq_id=369

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan/special-circumstances-special-enrollment-periods

Medicare Advantage costs if you change plans: https://q1medicare.com/faq/FAQ.php?faq=Will-MOOP-transfer-if-I-switch-Medicare-Advantage&faq_id=609

States with unique Medigap underwriting rules: https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eligibility-and-enrollment/the-birthday-rule-a-gift-to-medigap-enrollees/

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf

Link to new Part B Special Enrollment Periods being created: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/implementing-certain-provisions-consolidated-appropriations-act-2021-and-other-revisions-medicare-2

BENES Act 2.0: https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2022/02/24/senators-introduce-the-bipartisan-benes-2-0-act-to-further-simplify-medicare-enrollment

760,000 exposed to Part B penalty: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/why-medicares-late-fees-mean-a-lifetime-of-higher-costs.html

All other sources:

http://nahu.org/membership-resources/medicare-portal/legislative-information

https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2022/11/03/important-rules-implement-key-benes-act-provisions-to-simplify-medicare-enrollment

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-11-03/pdf/2022-23407.pdf

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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 detail:

Link to the 2023 Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles-2023-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly

Link to an overview of the BENES Act that will be implemented for the first time in 2023: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/implementing-certain-provisions-consolidated-appropriations-act-2021-and-other-revisions-medicare-2

Link to the prescription drug benefits being implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act starting in 2023: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/explaining-the-prescription-drug-provisions-in-the-inflation-reduction-act/

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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 information, here are some links to articles that can help you visualize what we talked about in today's episode:

four phases of Part D coverage: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage-part-d/medicare-part-d-costs/phases-of-part-d-coverage

Understanding the True out-of-pocket cost (Troop): https://q1medicare.com/PartD-WhatIs-TheTrueOutOfPocketExpense.php#:~:text=TrOOP%20costs%20are%20those%20prescription,the%20Donut%20Hole%20is%20%247%2C400.

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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!

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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! Instead of calling dozens of insurance companies, they can compare the plan options available in your location and eventually enroll you in a plan that is right for you.

If you want to connect with our agency or another independent broker in your area, click this link!: https://gmedicareteam.com/map

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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 can "get money back in your Social Security"... Are these commercials flat-out scams, or is there an element of truth to what they are pitching?

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with 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. 

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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 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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.

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 licensed and work virtually in the following states:  AZ, CA, FL,  IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX  If we do NOT work in your state, we can refer to agents that we know, like & trust across the country. Fill out the form linked to our map.

Check out our website at  https://gmedicareteam.com/

Also, see our additional educational content over on our YouTube Channel

You can also connect with and learn more on TikTok and our private Facebook Group and while you're at it, check out our Google Reviews!  And, please get added to our mailing list so that we can remain in touch with you.