About Us
Chris Tyrone, PharmD
As a local independent pharmacist and licensed insurance agent, I understand that your healthcare needs are personal and unique to you.
I have been providing Medicare reviews for several years and decided to get licensed last year. This allows me access to more tools to assist you and the additional income helps offset my time away from work to review plans for 300+ patients this year.
My wife and I are expecting our first child to be born in October! In order to spend more time with my wife and child during this season of life, I will have less availability to conduct Medicare reviews in person.
Please book your reviews early to make sure you receive a spot if you would like an in person consultation. I will still be available to provide reviews via email and phone calls outside of my work hours.
My services are always free of charge.
2024 Open Enrollment
October 15 - December 7
Open enrollment is the time of year when people can enroll in a new health insurance plan, or make any necessary changes to their current plan, for the upcoming year.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage is projected to be approximately $55.50 in 2023.
During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, I offer free consultations about Medicare coverage to the community.
Frankly, the program has become more complicated, plus the natural tendency is to stick with what you already have - but that can be an expensive mistake. There are many moving parts to Medicare. The plans change, networks change, the drugs covered one year might not be covered another year.
The plan that worked so well in 2023 might be a disaster in 2024. Even if you are happy with your plan, look at this year’s offerings and see if something might be better suited to you or your spouse.
Experts report that only 10% of Medicare recipients review their plans annually. People get busy, especially as the holiday seasons are on the horizon. We know that Medicare plans are confusing and complicated, however, after December 7, 2023, you have to wait another year to make changes to your plans.
Medicare Explained
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the starting place for everyone on Medicare. This is the program that is ran by the Federal Government. It consists of two parts: Part A Hospital, and Part B Medical. Part A helps pay for inpatient services like hospitalization, skilled nursing, home healthcare, and hospice. Part A does not cover everything. There are deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance that the beneficiary is responsible for before Medicare pays for anything. Part B helps pay for outpatient services like doctors office visits, emergency, urgent care, surgeries, lab work, etc. Part B does not cover everything either, it generally covers 80% of medical costs and the beneficiary would generally be responsible for the remaining 20%.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Plans, otherwise known as Part C are an alternative way people can receive their Medicare benefits. These plans are approved by Medicare, but they are ran by private insurance companies. They offer similar benefits that you would receive with original Medicare like hospital and medical benefits. Most plans also offer additional coverage beyond original Medicare for things like prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, and fitness program memberships. Because these plans are ran by insurance companies, they do have provider networks like HMOs, PPOs, and PFFSs.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplements, otherwise known as Medigap plans, are plans that people can buy as an addition to original Medicare. Medicare Supplements will help these people pay for deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance left behind by original Medicare. There are a few different plan types that cover more or less of the out of pocket costs left by original Medicare. You can not have a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time, so you must choose one or the other.
Prescription Drug Plans
Prescription Drug Plans, otherwise known as Part D are plans that people can buy as an addition to original Medicare that will help pay for prescription drugs. Original Medicare does not generally cover prescription medications that are picked up at a pharmacy. These Prescription Drug Plans are approved by Medicare, but they are also ran by private insurance companies. Prescription drug plans generally have deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. All of the plans are unique and cover medications differently.
Supplemental Insurance
Dental & Vision
Stand alone Dental & Vision plans are plans that you can purchase in addition to your current Medicare or Health Insurance to help pay for Dental & Vision services. There are a few different types of dental plans available for purchase. Dental Discount Plans will pay a set percentage of a providers fee. Traditional Insurance plans have co-pay networks like HMOs and PPOs.
Hospital Indemnity
Hospital Indemnity insurance is designed to help alleviate the co-pays left behind by your current insurance when you are hospitalized for any reason. With this type of Indemnity Policy, you will be compensated directly for being hospitalized. You can use that money to pay for those specific medical bills, or whatever else you need.
Short Term Care
Short Term Care is similar to Long Term Care Insurance, but it is designed for rehabilitation and recovery from accidents. These plans help pay for medical services like home healthcare, skilled nursing facilities, and other forms of rehabilitative care. Adding policies like these can help alleviate the costs left behind by your current Medicare or Health Plan.
Cancer, Heart Attack, Stroke Plans
Cancer, Heart Attack, and Stroke insurance plans are designed to help financially alleviate the costs of treatment due to those specific ailments. These plans work similar to Life Insurance. When you are diagnosed by a Medical Professional as having had any of the specific ailments listed, you qualify to receive a cash payout. That money is there to help you pay medical bills left behind by your Medicare or Health Plan, or to help pay for any normal living expenses.