Medicare Guidance
personalized to you
About Me: Your Insurance Partner
Who am I?
I’m Andrea Z Smith, a Medicare Advisor and licensed Medicare Insurance Broker based in California’s Central Valley.
I help people throughout California make sense of Medicare.
Whether you’re new to Medicare or looking to change plans, I’m here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help make Medicare a little easier.
My Mission
Medicare doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
My goal isn’t to fit people into plans. It’s to fit plans to people.
I want you to understand your choices, feel confident in your decision, and know you have someone you can call when Medicare questions come up.
Because Medicare is important - but you have much more interesting things to do.
The Process
The Process
1. Let’s Talk
We’ll start with a conversation about you - your doctors, prescriptions, budget, healthcare needs, and lifestyle. And yes, bring all your Medicare questions!
2. I Do the Legwork
This is the part you get to hand over to me. I’ll research your options, check the details, and narrow things down based on what matters to you.
3. We Review Your Options
We’ll go over the options together, I’ll explain the differences, and you decide what feels right for you. If you choose to enroll, I can help with that too.
Get to know your options
Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement
Original Medicare
- Federal program that includes Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Doctor)
- Helps cover hospital care, doctor visits, preventive services, and other medically necessary care
- Does not include prescription drug coverage (Part D), which can be added separately
Medicare Advantage
- Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare
- Includes Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Doctor), and many plans also include Part D (Prescription drugs)
- Some plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, or hearing
- Costs, coverage, and physician networks vary by plan and location
Medicare Supplement
- Helps pay Medicare copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles
- Works only with Original Medicare (not Medicare Advantage)
- Accepted nationwide by physicians who take Medicare
- Does not include prescription drug coverage (Part D sold separately)
Medicaid, Prescription Drug Plans, Dental/Vision/Hearing
Medi-Cal
- Provides healthcare coverage for people with limited income and resources
- May cover extra services that Medicare does not, like long-term care
- Can work together with Medicare if you qualify for both
- Helps reduce or eliminate certain healthcare costs, such as premiums or copayments
Prescription Drug Plans
- Can be added to Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan and is often included in Medicare Advantage plans.
- Each plan has its own list of covered drugs (formulary)
- Monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments vary by plan
- You need to have prescription drug coverage that is considered "creditable" or you may be penalized.
Dental, Vision and Hearing
- Not included in Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans
- Can be added alongside Original Medicare and/or a Medicare Supplement and are often included as extra benefits in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Benefits, physicians, and costs vary by plan