Are You Confounded by Medicare Rules, Regulations, and Coverage? EP 33

Maybe you've stepped in to help your parents navigate a later season in their lives, or perhaps you are nearing the age when Medicare is in your immediate future… Regardless of the circumstance, I don't think anyone would argue with you about how complicated, confusing, and sometimes frustrating it can be when trying to understand how it works and what you need to do to stay on top of your – or their – health care needs.    Meredith worked as a nurse for years, first in the West Indies, then Canada, and the US. Eventually, she specialized in Emergency Nursing, then shifted to working as a Case Manager. It was at that point, as her focus was helping specific patients understand their conditions, navigate the health care system, and become informed, proactive participants in their own care plans that she really understood the intricacies of health care coverage.    "When patients don't know what they don't know, they don't even know what questions to ask and that can make all the difference in the care they receive and how it impacts them financially," she explains.    Her experiences in these various settings and roles gave her a firsthand perspective on how devastating it can be when people don't understand their coverage, haven't engaged in financial planning, and experience a significant health event. This awakening moved her to invest in training to become a health insurance advisor and she and her husband founded Advent Choice Insurance and Consulting.    Together, they are on a mission to change that experience, educating Medicare-eligible individuals and their families about all the intricacies and nuances of their coverage, medical terminology, and how to navigate the health care system.    Listen in and learn how your zip code may determine your coverage, the difference between being admitted for "inpatient care" versus "observation," how experimental treatments are defined, and much more. When you're finished with this episode, you'll be wishing Meredith lived in your neighborhood!   Meredith's Bio Meredith's love and devotion to others started on the beautiful island of Jamaica. She completed her basic nurse training at the University Hospital of the West Indies School of Nursing and later specialized in Emergency Room Nursing and Education. Meredith had the privilege of practicing nursing in Canada and several States in the US.  Meredith's experience as an Emergency Department Nurse over the last 13 years gave her a firsthand view of the devastating impact poor insurance coverage and inadequate financial planning have on the lives of many individuals.  Meredith's most recent role as an RN Case Manager propelled her to seek solutions for the issues plaguing healthcare delivery. She realized that in order to improve healthcare access and affordability, patients must be proactively engaged in understanding their health and available resources. She believes healthy families are more financially stable and are better able to support and care for each other.  Meredith and her husband are both crossed-trained as health insurance advisors and are the founders of Advent Choice Insurance and Consulting, which provides Medicare education, engagement, and enrollment services to individuals, businesses, and healthcare facilities.  Meredith has a passion for education and is committed to lifelong learning. She obtained her Master's in Nursing Leadership and Management at Walden University and serves on the South Apopka Community Development Association, also volunteering with other local community outreach programs. Meredith enjoys spending time with her spouse, gardening, practicing photography, and running behind their three vivacious children!   Connect with Meredith here:  Advent Choice Insurance Consulting Meredith on LinkedIn Email Meredith