Ask The Medicare Specialist

Save Money, and Understand HealthCare

Listen, Watch and Learn the latest trends, savings, possible pit falls and news from The Health Insurance Store professionals. Here is where you’ll find up to date information to help guide you through the Health Care system while educating you on topics such as HMO’s, PPO’s, prescription plans and more. We are excited to help you save money, understand health insurance and get your best plan with the professionals at The Health Insurance Store.

Audio/Video Media Sources

Due to CMS regulations, the “Ask The Medicare Specialist” column is currently offline. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these updates. Rest assured, new articles will be posted in the future. Thank you for your continued support.

Part 6 | Should You Choose a Medigap Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan?

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), “All Medigap (Supplement) policies must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you, and policies must be clearly identified as Medicare Supplement Insurance.
April 11, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 5 | Who is best to choose a Supplement and who an Advantage Plan?

Remember, what works best for someone else may not be best for you. Never make a decision based on what plan or company a friend or family member has or advice they give!
April 8, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 4 Cont’d | Who is best to choose a Supplement and who an Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is a health care choice Medicare recipients have that allows a federally approved private insurance company to administer benefits and pay claims in place of Original Medicare.
March 28, 2025/by Christopher Mccormack

Part 4 | What are the pros and cons of both Medicare Supplements and Advantage Plans?

This week will be dedicated to Supplements and Part 4 will continue next week when we will do the same with Advantage Plans.

Supplements, also known as Medigap policies, are highly Federally regulated to protect the consumer....
March 21, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 3 | What do Medicare Parts A and B cost and cover?

What do Medicare Parts A and B cost and cover? What are the choices in Medicare Plans? Do they differ as far as coverage, premiums and out of pocket expenses, access to doctors and hospitals, and how claims are approved and paid?
March 14, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 2 | What’s the Difference Between Medicare Parts A & B, and What Do They Cover?

Since my husband is already receiving Social Security, will he automatically be enrolled in Medicare? If so, when will he receive his Medicare card/information?
March 10, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 1 | Welcome to the 2025 New to Medicare Series

Since my husband is already receiving Social Security, will he automatically be enrolled in Medicare? If so, when will he receive his Medicare card/information?
February 28, 2025/by Jo Barker

Question #1 from Joann: Can I change from one Plan N to another company’s …

Since my husband is already receiving Social Security, will he automatically be enrolled in Medicare? If so, when will he receive his Medicare card/information?
February 21, 2025/by Jo Barker

Written Media Sources

Part 6 | Should You Choose a Medigap Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan?

April 11, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 5 | Who is best to choose a Supplement and who an Advantage Plan?

April 8, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 4 Cont’d | Who is best to choose a Supplement and who an Advantage Plan?

March 28, 2025/by Christopher Mccormack

Part 4 | What are the pros and cons of both Medicare Supplements and Advantage Plans?

March 21, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 3 | What do Medicare Parts A and B cost and cover?

March 14, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 2 | What’s the Difference Between Medicare Parts A & B, and What Do They Cover?

March 10, 2025/by Jo Barker

Part 1 | Welcome to the 2025 New to Medicare Series

February 28, 2025/by Jo Barker

Question #1 from Joann: Can I change from one Plan N to another company’s …

February 21, 2025/by Jo Barker

Erie County Area

1105 West 12th Street, Suite – A
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-920-5275
Fax: 814-920-5276

Fayette/Westmoreland County Area

121 North Pittsburgh Street
Connellsville, PA. 15425
Phone: 724-603-3403
Fax: 724-603-3402

Pittsburgh Area

21 Yost Blvd., Forest Hills, PA 15221
Mailing Address: 128 Forest Hills Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Phone: 412-349-8818
Fax: 878-302-3149

Albuquerque/Santa Fe, New Mexico Area

821 Coors Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87121
Phone: 505-200-0069
Fax: 505-200-0073

Serving These Areas

We proudly serve the health insurance and Medicare needs of the following Pennsylvania areas:  Connellsville, Uniontown, Greensburg, Mt. Pleasant, Scottdale, Irwin, N. Huntingdon, Murrysville, Monroeville, Plum, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Pittsburgh, Plum, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Forest Hills, Wilkinsburg, East Liberty, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Natrona Heights, Leechburg, Washington, Morgantown WV, Latrobe, Monnessen, Jeanette, Erie, Edinboro, Northeast, Girard, Fairview, Union City, Harborcreek, Corey, Meadville, Waterford,  Ligonier, Kittaning, Somerset, Waynesburg, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, Armstrong County, Butler County, Somerset County, Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County, Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania

We proudly serve the following New Mexico areas: Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Sante Fe, Bernalillo, Belen, Los Lunas, Espanola, Moriarty, Corales, Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Soccoro, Sandoval County, Sante Fe County, Bernalillo County, Rio Arriba County, Valencia County, Soccoro County, New Mexico
Not affiliated with the U. S. government or federal Medicare program.

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.

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