A working list of the questions that come up most often across Medicare, life, home and auto, and the supplemental products. If your question isn't here, send it — I'll add it next time.
Yes — about 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries is also on Medicaid (called HUSKY C in Connecticut). They're "dual-eligible." Medicare pays first, Medicaid covers most of what Medicare doesn't — coinsurance, deductibles, sometimes premiums.
This is the moment to choose a Medicare plan that coordinates with your existing Medicaid. There are Medicare plan types (D-SNPs in particular) designed for dual-eligible enrollees, which, for those who qualify, can include $0 copays and broader benefits. The plan choice matters more here than almost anywhere else in Medicare.
Not while you're alive, and not in most cases for HUSKY A, B, or D. The primary residence is exempt during your lifetime. For HUSKY C with long-term care, estate recovery rules apply after death — with protections for surviving spouses and disabled adult children. This is best discussed with an elder-law attorney.
It's the on-ramp to dual-eligibility for retirees with limited income and assets. Connecticut runs three tiers (QMB, SLMB, ALMB) that pay your Doctor coverage (Part B) premium and sometimes more, depending on your numbers. Worth checking even if you're already on Medicare.
No — HUSKY applications go through the state's Department of Social Services (connect.ct.gov). I work the Medicare side, and I help you choose a Medicare plan that coordinates with HUSKY once you're enrolled.
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday. Enroll in the 3 months before your birthday so coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. Read the full timeline.
Depends on travel, specialist usage, and how much variability you can absorb in a high-care year. Original Medicare + Medigap + a stand-alone Part D is typically more predictable; Medicare Advantage (MAPD) has lower premiums but is network-restricted with higher cost-sharing up to the plan MOOP. As your agent I'll walk through doctors, prescriptions, and ZIP code before recommending either.
With Original Medicare, almost any provider that accepts Medicare. With Advantage, you're in a network — we check your specific doctors before recommending a plan.
Depends on employer size. 20+ employees: you can usually delay Doctor coverage (Part B) without penalty. Fewer than 20: you generally need Doctor coverage (Part B) at 65. Talk to us before your 65th birthday.
About 1% of the national base beneficiary premium per month delayed, added permanently to your Prescription drug (Part D) premium. Not enormous in dollars, but it lasts for life. Don't skip prescription drug coverage (Part D) when you turn 65 unless you have other "creditable" prescription coverage.
Maybe. About 25% of NFIP claims come from properties outside high-risk zones. If you're within a few miles of the Sound, on flat ground, or near a river, low-cost private flood is worth a quote.
Most coastal Connecticut policies have a separate higher deductible for "named storm" damage — typically 1%, 2%, or 5% of dwelling coverage. On a $500K house with 5% deductible, that's $25,000 out of pocket on hurricane damage.
Connecticut's coastal homeowners market has tightened. Several carriers have pulled back or raised rates. We help you find which carrier is currently underwriting your block today.
If you own a home, have meaningful assets, or have a teen driver — almost certainly yes. $1M of umbrella runs $200–$500/year. Highest-leverage insurance dollar you can spend.
Sometimes partially, often with limits, rarely for storm surge. If your dock is worth $10K+ to replace, get a separate marine policy.
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Send your question →Reasonable starting point: cover the mortgage, plus 8–10 years of income replacement, plus future college costs, minus existing assets. Most working parents land around $1M–$1.5M of term.
Term, almost always, for most people. Whole life is right for specific situations — estate planning, business buy-sell, special-needs trusts, final expense.
Most carriers can write you, just at a different rating class. We know which carriers are friendlier to common conditions.
Rarely. Employer life insurance is typically 1–2x salary, doesn't move with you, and disappears when you leave. We treat it as a bonus, not the foundation.
Up to 100 days of skilled nursing after a qualifying hospital stay, only if you keep making medical progress. After that, Medicare pays nothing for long-term care. Long-term care insurance, hybrid life policies, or Medicaid (HUSKY C) fill the gap. Read more.
If you apply for Medicaid long-term care (HUSKY C), Connecticut reviews the past 5 years of bank records and asks about gifts and transfers. Improper transfers can trigger a penalty period. This is best planned with an elder-law attorney, ideally well before care is needed.
Probably only if you have a high-deductible health plan or family history. Most healthy adults under 50 with good employer coverage don't need it. Read more.
No, but some are wildly mis-sold. Simple annuities (single premium immediate, deferred income, MYGAs) can be excellent retirement income tools. Variable and indexed products with complex riders deserve much more skepticism. Read more.
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