The Medicare Lady

The Medicare Lady Darlene Swaffar, aka The Medicare Lady TM, specializes in Medicare Health Insurance.

Darlene Cerezo Swaffar aka The Medicare Lady is focused on making the process of choosing the right Medicare Health Insurance Plan as easy as possible for her clients.

Original Medicare does NOT include prescription drug coverage. Zero. None.And if you go without a Part D drug plan for t...
09/09/2026

Original Medicare does NOT include prescription drug coverage. Zero. None.

And if you go without a Part D drug plan for too long — even if you don't take any prescriptions right now — you'll pay a penalty when you eventually sign up. That penalty is also permanent.

Here's what you need to know:

💊 Part D is a standalone prescription drug plan that works alongside Original Medicare. You shop for it separately.

💊 If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, drug coverage is often bundled in — BUT you still need to make sure your specific medications are covered. Drug formularies (the list of covered drugs) change every year.

💊 If you're on a Medicare Supplement plan, you MUST add a separate Part D plan or you will face a late enrollment penalty.

The right prescription drug plan depends on what you take, where you fill your prescriptions, and what the plan charges for your specific drugs. This comparison can save you hundreds of dollars a year — or more.

Every October, I help clients compare their drug plans for the upcoming year. The difference between a good Part D plan and a bad one is real money in your pocket.

Don't wait until a medication crisis to figure this out. Let's get you set up right the first time.

📞 (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711) Licensed Medicare Agent
📅 Free consultation: calendly.com/dswaffar

We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit Medicare.gov

This may be the biggest change in Medicare drug coverage in years — and if you take expensive medications, it changes ev...
09/06/2026

This may be the biggest change in Medicare drug coverage in years — and if you take expensive medications, it changes everything.

In 2026, there is now a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on Medicare Part D prescription drug costs.

Once you've paid $2,100 in out-of-pocket drug costs for covered medications — deductibles, copays, coinsurance — your plan covers the rest at 100% for the remainder of the year.

Who this helps most:
💊 People on specialty drugs for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, or Crohn's disease
💊 Anyone who previously hit the "donut hole" coverage gap mid-year
💊 Beneficiaries managing multiple expensive brand-name medications

In prior years, some people paid $5,000–$10,000+ annually on specialty drugs. This cap changes that dramatically.

The nuance: the $2,100 cap applies to drugs covered by YOUR specific plan. Smart plan selection still matters — a well-matched plan limits what you pay getting there.

If you take expensive medications and haven't reviewed your Part D plan recently, call me before AEP. This year's enrollment could be your most financially impactful yet.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

Looking for clear, reliable guidance on Medicare Health Insurance? Sunshine Insurance Associates, LLC is here to help yo...
09/06/2026

Looking for clear, reliable guidance on Medicare Health Insurance? Sunshine Insurance Associates, LLC is here to help you every step of the way. Visit our website to explore personalized plans and expert support designed to make your healthcare journey simple and stress-free. Take the next step with confidence today.

If you're a veteran with VA healthcare, here's what too many people learn the hard way: VA benefits and Medicare are not...
09/05/2026

If you're a veteran with VA healthcare, here's what too many people learn the hard way: VA benefits and Medicare are not the same thing — and assuming one replaces the other can be a very expensive mistake.

The reality about VA healthcare:
❌ VA covers care at VA facilities only. In an emergency away from a VA site, coverage may be limited — even in another state.
❌ VA healthcare is NOT creditable coverage for avoiding the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty — even with full VA benefits.
❌ VA coverage can change based on funding, eligibility, and priority group.

✅ Medicare and VA benefits can work together. Many veterans use both — VA for routine care, Medicare for civilian specialists or emergencies.

My recommendation for most veterans: sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at 65 during your Initial Enrollment Period, even if you plan to use the VA primarily.

Part A is free for most people. Part B is $202.90/month in 2026. The permanent late enrollment penalty — 10% per missed year — can cost far more over the long run.

Are you a veteran navigating this? Call me — let's make sure you're fully protected.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

The cheapest monthly premium is NOT always the cheapest plan.This is probably the biggest misunderstanding I see when pe...
09/04/2026

The cheapest monthly premium is NOT always the cheapest plan.

This is probably the biggest misunderstanding I see when people are comparing Medicare options — and it costs some folks thousands of dollars a year.

Here's how it actually works:

With Medicare Supplement (Medigap), you pay a higher monthly premium. But most of your out-of-pocket costs when you USE your coverage are covered. You know what you're going to pay each month. No surprises.

With Medicare Advantage, the monthly premium is low — sometimes $0. But every time you use the plan, there are copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. And if you have a major health event — a hospitalization, a surgery, a cancer diagnosis — those costs can add up fast.

Neither structure is bad. But here's what I ask my clients to think about:

1. How is your health right now — and how was it 5 years ago?
2. Do you see specialists regularly, or are you generally healthy?
3. Could you handle a $5,000–$7,000 out-of-pocket exposure in a single year?

Your answers should drive the decision. Not the premium.

This is the conversation I have with every single client. One hour of honest discussion can save you from years of regret over a plan that looked great on paper.

📞 (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711) Licensed Medicare Agent
📅 calendly.com/dswaffar — free, no obligation

We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit Medicare.gov

You spent 3 days in the hospital. Medicare won't cover your nursing home stay. How is that possible?It all comes down to...
09/03/2026

You spent 3 days in the hospital. Medicare won't cover your nursing home stay. How is that possible?

It all comes down to three words: observation status.

When you're in the hospital, you're either admitted as a formal INPATIENT — or placed on "observation status," which is technically classified as outpatient. Even if you're in a hospital bed for days.

To qualify for Medicare-covered skilled nursing facility care, you need at least 3 consecutive INPATIENT days. Observation status days do not count.

The financial impact:
💸 SNF care without Medicare coverage: $500–$900+ per day
💸 Medications during observation stays bill differently under Part B
💸 Total exposure can reach tens of thousands of dollars

What to do when hospitalized:
✅ Ask immediately: "Am I admitted as inpatient or on observation status?"
✅ If on observation, ask your doctor whether inpatient admission is appropriate
✅ Know your rights: hospitals must notify you in writing after 24+ hours on observation status (NOTICE Act)

Please share this with someone who needs to know.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

Your Medicare Advantage plan may be giving you an allowance for everyday health items every quarter — and millions of pe...
09/03/2026

Your Medicare Advantage plan may be giving you an allowance for everyday health items every quarter — and millions of people are letting it expire unused.

It's called the OTC benefit — your Over-the-Counter allowance — and many Medicare Advantage plans include it.

Here's what you can typically spend it on:
💊 Pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine
🦷 Toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash
👀 Reading glasses and lens solution
🩹 First aid supplies and bandages
🌡️ Thermometers and blood pressure monitors
🧴 Sunscreen, vitamins, supplements

The amount varies by plan — some offer $25 per quarter, others $100 or more. It's usually loaded onto a prepaid card or available via mail order.

The catch: most OTC benefits do NOT roll over. Unused balances expire at quarter's end. Gone.

If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan and aren't sure whether you have this benefit — or how to use it — call the member services number on the back of your card. Or call me. I'll figure it out with you.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

Medicare pays 100% for skilled care in your own home — but only under conditions most people don't know about until they...
09/02/2026

Medicare pays 100% for skilled care in your own home — but only under conditions most people don't know about until they need it.

What Original Medicare covers at home, with zero copay:
✅ Skilled nursing care (wound care, injections, IV therapy)
✅ Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
✅ Part-time home health aide services
✅ Medical social work and durable medical equipment

To qualify, you must:
• Have doctor certification for skilled care at home
• Meet Medicare's "homebound" criteria
• Use a Medicare-certified home health agency

What Medicare does NOT cover at home:
❌ Full-time or 24-hour home care
❌ Personal care only (bathing, dressing) without a skilled medical need
❌ Meals delivered to your home
❌ Custodial care alone

This difference — skilled care vs. custodial care — is one of Medicare's biggest coverage gaps. Many families don't discover it until after a health event forces the question.

Let's talk now, before a crisis does.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

October 15th is 7 weeks away. If you're waiting until AEP to think about your Medicare plan — you're already behind.The ...
09/01/2026

October 15th is 7 weeks away. If you're waiting until AEP to think about your Medicare plan — you're already behind.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7. Every change takes effect January 1, 2027.

My clients who feel confident during AEP are the ones who called me in September. Here's what to do RIGHT NOW:

📬 Watch for your ANOC booklet — arriving this month. It shows every change your plan is making for next year. Don't recycle it.

📋 List your doctors and medications — networks and drug formularies change every January. We verify everything together.

📅 Book early — my calendar fills up fast. September appointments are unhurried. The clients who call in November get what's left.

You don't have to make any decisions today. One call this week gets you a spot on my calendar before the rush — and the time to do this right.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

If you're paying full price for Medicare prescriptions, you may be leaving thousands of dollars in free government help ...
09/01/2026

If you're paying full price for Medicare prescriptions, you may be leaving thousands of dollars in free government help unclaimed.

There's a federal program called Extra Help — also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) — that reduces prescription drug costs for people with limited income.

Here's what it can do:
💊 Pay most or all of your Part D monthly premium
💊 Cover your annual Part D deductible
💊 Lower copays to just a few dollars per prescription

Who qualifies in 2026?
• Single: income at or below ~$22,590/year
• Married couple: at or below ~$30,660/year
If you receive Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program benefit, you qualify automatically.

Millions who are eligible never apply — because nobody told them this exists.

To apply: call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visit ssa.gov/extrahelp, or call me and I'll walk you through it.

You've worked too hard to leave benefits like this unclaimed.

📞 Call me: (754) 444-2782 (TTY 711)
🌐 www.medicareladypro.com

Darlene Swaffar. The Medicare Lady™ Licensed Insurance Agent/Agency | Serving Broward & Palm Beach Counties Plan availability varies by location.
Not affiliated with any government agency. We do not offer every plan available. To find out about all of your options visit medicare.gov

Address

10 Fairway Drive Suite # 114
Deerfield Beach, FL
33441

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17544442782

Website

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