Common Questions
Medicare & Life Insurance FAQ for Knoxville, TN Retirees
Answers to what Knox County families ask us most. If your question is not here, call or write and we will answer it. There is never a cost or an obligation to ask.
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Medicare Basics
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage bundles your hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan from a private insurer, normally with a provider network and often a $0 premium. Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, sits alongside Original Medicare with no network and covers costs like coinsurance and deductibles in exchange for a higher monthly premium. Which one fits depends on your doctors, your budget and how you like to get care.
When can I enroll in Medicare?
Most people enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period, a seven month window centered on the month they turn 65. After that, the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 lets anyone switch plans for the following year. Other windows open if you lose employer coverage or move.
Do I have to pay for Medicare Part B?
Yes. Part A is usually premium free if you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for ten years or more, but Part B carries a monthly premium. The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month, higher at some income levels, with an annual deductible of $283.
What happens if I do not sign up for Medicare on time?
If you have no other creditable coverage, such as a large employer plan, and you miss your enrollment window, you can face permanent late enrollment penalties added to your Part B or Part D premium for as long as you have Medicare, plus a gap in coverage until the next enrollment period.
Coverage
Changing Plans and What Is Covered
Can I change my Medicare plan every year?
Yes. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can be changed each year during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7. Medigap policies can be changed at any time, but outside a guaranteed issue window you will usually have to answer health questions to switch.
Is Medicare the same as Medicaid?
No. Medicare is federal health insurance based on age or disability and is available regardless of income. Medicaid is a joint state and federal program based on income and assets. Some people qualify for both, which can cut out of pocket costs sharply.
What does Medicare not cover?
Original Medicare leaves out most dental, vision, hearing aids and long term custodial care, and it puts no cap on your annual out of pocket costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans add some of those benefits, and a Medigap policy or a separate long term care policy can fill other gaps.
Costs and Life Insurance
What People Ask About Price
Two of these have no single answer, and that is the honest reason to compare carriers rather than take the first quote.
How much does a Medicare Supplement plan cost in Tennessee?
It varies by plan letter, by carrier, by your age and by how the carrier prices its policies. There is no single figure, which is why comparing several carriers side by side matters. We can pull real quotes for your situation at no cost.
What is final expense insurance, and do I need it?
Final expense, sometimes called burial insurance, is a small whole life policy, usually $5,000 to $25,000, meant to cover funeral costs and last bills so they do not land on your family. It tends to make sense if you do not already have savings or a policy set aside for that purpose.
Can I get life insurance if I have a health condition?
Often yes. Many final expense and simplified issue policies are built for people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or COPD, and some are guaranteed acceptance. Rates and options differ a lot by carrier, which is another reason to compare.
Working With Us
How We Work
Is your help really free?
Yes. We are paid by the insurance carrier, not by you, and the amount does not change based on which plan you pick. There is no cost and no obligation to sit down with us, ask questions or get a quote.
Do you only sell one insurance company plans?
No. We are independent and work with multiple Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D carriers in Knox County, plus several life insurance and final expense carriers, so you are not limited to one company’s plans.
Where we work
Questions From Across East Tennessee
We drive to you. Pick your town for local plan details.
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