Frequently Asked Questions

If you are receiving social security benefits before the age of 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. If you are not receiving social security and you want to enroll in Medicare, you will need to apply through Social Security.

If you or your spouse have paid into Medicare tax for 10 years, then there is no premium for Medicare Part A. There is a premium for Medicare part B. The standard Part B premium for 2022 is $170.10 per month. Most people pay the standard Part B premium. If your Modified Adjusted Gross Income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain amount, you'll pay the standard premium amount and an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). IRMAA is an extra charge added to your premium.

If your employer has 20 or more employees, generally you can choose to delay Medicare enrollment, drop your employer coverage for Medicare, or have both Medicare and employer coverage. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, generally you will need to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, because Medicare would become the primary payer. If you have health coverage through a spouse's employer, you may be able to delay, or you may need to enroll at age 65. We can help you determine the best option for you.

Medicare Part A is usually premium-free, so you could opt to enroll in only Part A while still working. However, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), be aware that once you enroll in any part of Medicare you cannot continue to make contributions to your HSA.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that may let you keep your employer/group health plan. In general, it is a health plan offered by an employer or employee organization that provides health coverage to employees and their families. COBRA is not normally considered to be creditable coverage for Medicare major medical benefits, so people who are enrolled in COBRA and do not enroll in Medicare Part B within 8 months of turning 65 could face Part B late enrollment penalties.

Moving violations and DUIs can affect the rating class at which you are approved. As a general rule, the more time that has passed since the violation, the better the chance at getting approved at at desirable rate.

Critical illnesses to the age of 60 for immediate family members can effect the rate . If an immediate family member develops a critical illness before the age of 60, it can affect your rate. However, if you are over the age at which the illness was developed, or have outlived the family member, it is less likely to have an effect.

Cholesterol levels of 250 or less may still qualify for Preferred Best Rates as long as the ratio of HDL:LDL is optimal. A standard life insurance rating may still be available with total cholesterol cholesterol levels, up to 300. Preferred Best: -Cholesterol less than or equal to 250 and ratio of 4.5 HDL:LDL -May include treatment for hypertension and/or cholesterol (i.e. meds) Preferred up to age 50: -Cholesterol less than 270 and ratio less than 6.0 -No treatment for hypertension or cholesterol Preferred 50 and over: Cholesterol up to 300 and ratio up to 6.0 -Cholesterol less than 300 and ratio less than 5.0 -No treatment for hypertension or cholesterol Standard Plus: -Cholesterol up to 300 and ratio up to 7.0 -No treatment for hypertension or cholesterol

Certain forms of tobacco that may still qualify for a non-tobacco rating when applying for life insurance. This includes some forms of non-combustible tobacco such as chew, snuff, and e-cigarettes. Occasional cigar usage may also be permitted. Preferred Best: -12 or fewer cumulative tobacco uses per year -Negative nicotine (cotinine) marker on urine specimen Standard Non-Tobacco: -12 -24 cumulative tobacco uses per year -Negative nicotine (cotinine) marker on urine specimen Tobacco Rate: -More than 24 uses per year -Disclose use of non-combustible tobacco (chew, snuff, e-cigarettes) -No uses of cigarettes or cigars in past 10 years

Do you know what you need to do to prepare for a life insurance exam? Drinking a lot of water and restraining from meals high in sugar the day before the exam helps. Also laying off the booze and passing on that celebratory cigar in the days leading up to the exam won't hurt. Do: -Typically recommended not to eat 4-6 hrs before exam, thought water and black coffee are ok -Drink a lot of water: flush your system through with plenty of water - at least a pint every two to three hours. This will help ensure you give the most neutral result possible at that given moment in time. Don't -Eat a big meal the night before an early morning exam, smoke a cigar night before, or eat a box of donuts before the exam (spikes sugar levels in the blood) -Drink alcohol. If your blood test shows that you have elevated liver enzymes, then it spells higher premiums for the length of your policy’s term. These enzymes don’t necessarily indicate liver damage, but can suggest that you are not in perfect health and therefore present you as a threat to underwriters. Don’t cheat! There has been a rise in people who have seen fit to cheat in their paramed exam. Cheating is taken very seriously by insurance providers, as it is in any financial industry, and is treated as fraudulent conduct which will be reported to the Medical Information Bureau (MIB).