Janis Lakkees Medicare Agent

Janis Lakkees Medicare Agent I will help you with Medicare. I work with integrity and intention and always do whats best for you. I work with my clients every step of the way.

My name is Janis Lakkees and I am an Independent Medicare Agent with Bridgelink Insurance Solutions. I truly love what I do - which working with seniors and helping them understand Medicare and their choices. I have an office in Upland, Ca and also will come to you so you don't have to travel. I have 4 children ages 10, 10, 12, and 23. My son is Special Needs and keeps me focused and clear on my mission which is to always have integrity in my life.

The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month. The annual deductible is $283, which you must pay be...
08/15/2026

The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month. The annual deductible is $283, which you must pay before Medicare begins covering its share of your outpatient services. After meeting the deductible, you typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services.

Not everyone pays the same premium. Medicare uses IRMAA, the income-related monthly adjustment amount, to determine if you owe more based on your earnings. For 2026, IRMAA applies to individuals with income above $109,000 and married couples filing jointly with income above $218,000. The higher your income, the more you pay each month.

Your IRMAA is calculated using your tax return from two years prior. This means your 2024 income determines what you pay in 2026. If your income has decreased due to retirement, job loss, or other qualifying life events, you may be able to request a reduction by filing an appeal with Social Security.

Taking time to review your income and Medicare coverage each year helps you anticipate costs and avoid surprises. Understanding how your earnings affect your premiums allows you to plan more effectively for healthcare expenses in retirement.

“Nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are prohibited from forcing a resident’s family or friends to a...
08/13/2026

“Nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are prohibited from forcing a resident’s family or friends to assume responsibility for the cost of care as a condition of admission or continued stay in the facility,” Rohit Chopra, CFPB Director, said in a press release. “

Under laws in place, family members and friends signing admission agreements with nursing homes cannot be held liable for unpaid debts associated with the patient's stay.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), families have been sued by nursing home debt collectors, had their wages garnished, lost their homes, and some have been forced into bankruptcy (Sept. 8).

The Nursing Home Reform Act specifically prohibits a nursing care facility from requiring a third-party caregiver to personally guarantee payment of a resident's bills.

Some facilities require caregivers to be responsible for the resident's care costs in their contracts. According to the report, caregivers are sometimes subject to financial liability if they incur debts while caring for the patient.

Consumers can submit complaints about their debt collection issues by visiting the Consumer Financial Protection

If your income has dropped since retiring, you can appeal the extra charges added to your Medicare Part B and Part D pre...
08/11/2026

If your income has dropped since retiring, you can appeal the extra charges added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. These surcharges, called IRMAA or Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts, may no longer apply to your current financial situation.

Medicare bases IRMAA on your tax return from two years ago. Your 2024 income determines your 2026 premiums. If your income was higher in 2024 than it is now, you could be paying more than necessary.

In 2026, IRMAA applies if your individual income was over $109,000 or over $218,000 for joint filers. If your current income falls below these thresholds, filing an appeal makes sense.

You'll receive a benefit determination letter explaining your IRMAA amount. After getting this letter, you can request an adjustment with Social Security based on your current, lower income.

To appeal successfully, provide documentation showing a life-changing event such as retirement, divorce, or loss of income. Social Security will review your appeal and supporting documents. If approved, your premium will be reduced to reflect your actual income rather than your higher income from two years ago.

Federal retirees with FEHBP coverage face a unique decision regarding Medicare Part B. While NARFE correctly notes that ...
08/07/2026

Federal retirees with FEHBP coverage face a unique decision regarding Medicare Part B. While NARFE correctly notes that many federal retirees may not need Part B immediately due to their comprehensive FEHBP benefits, there are important considerations to weigh.

The primary advantage of enrolling in Part B at 65 is avoiding future penalties. If you delay enrollment and later decide you need Part B, you'll face a permanent 10% penalty for each full 12-month period you waited. This penalty continues for as long as you have Part B, potentially costing thousands over your lifetime.

Part B can complement FEHBP by covering services your federal plan might not fully cover, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Some FEHBP plans also offer incentives or reduced premiums when you have Part B.

Consider your current health needs, family medical history, and financial situation. Review how Part B coordinates with your specific FEHBP plan, as benefits vary. While the $202.90 monthly premium may seem unnecessary now, the combination of FEHBP and Part B often provides the most comprehensive coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is one of the most comprehensive Medigap policies available, though it's only offer...
08/05/2026

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is one of the most comprehensive Medigap policies available, though it's only offered to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan F covers virtually all Medicare cost-sharing, making it popular among beneficiaries who want predictable healthcare expenses.

Plan F covers all Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. This includes the Part A hospital deductible of $1,736 and the Part B annual deductible of $283. The plan also covers Part A hospital and coinsurance costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted, providing a valuable lifetime reserve.

Additional coverage includes Medicare Part B excess charges, which are amounts doctors can charge above Medicare-approved amounts. Plan F also covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance, hospice care copayment or coinsurance, and the first three pints of blood used in approved medical procedures annually. For those who travel, Plan F provides foreign travel emergency coverage at 80% up to plan limits.

Insurance companies offering Medigap policies must provide Plan A if they offer any Medigap plans.

Medicare Part D drug plans typically do not cover most chemotherapy treatments because chemotherapy is usually covered u...
08/05/2026

Medicare Part D drug plans typically do not cover most chemotherapy treatments because chemotherapy is usually covered under Medicare Part B, not Part D. This distinction is crucial for cancer patients to understand when navigating their treatment coverage.

Medicare Part B covers chemotherapy drugs that are administered by infusion or injection in a doctor's office, hospital outpatient department, or other medical facility. These represent the majority of chemotherapy treatments. Under Part B, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your annual deductible of $283 in 2026.

Medicare Part D only covers oral chemotherapy medications that you take at home. Even then, coverage varies significantly between Part D plans. Each plan has its own formulary, and some oral chemotherapy drugs may not be included or may be placed in high-cost tiers requiring substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

To ensure proper chemotherapy coverage, work with your oncologist to understand whether your prescribed treatment will be covered under Part B or Part D. If you need oral chemotherapy covered by Part D, carefully review plan formularies during enrollment periods.

1 - Compounded treatmentsMedicare supplements cover most broad categories of medication-the key is to find one that work...
08/01/2026

1 - Compounded treatments
Medicare supplements cover most broad categories of medication-the key is to find one that works for you.
The reason for this is that compounded medications are not usually approved by the FDA and therefore are not covered by Medicare Part D.

2 - Sexual dysfunction medications
Medications for erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction are also not covered by Medicare, since they are not considered medically necessary.

3 Cosmetic drugs
By Priority Health, cosmetic drugs will also never be covered by Medicare. Nonetheless, some drugs used to treat skin conditions may also have cosmetic benefits, so it's worth asking.

4 Fertility medication
In spite of the fact that Medicare is primarily intended for retirees, some individuals on disability may be eligible for Medicare benefits before they reach retirement age. Unless a doctor deems it medically necessary, these people are unlikely to be eligible for fertility assistance, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report.

If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)covers obesity screenings and beha...
07/29/2026

If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)covers obesity screenings and behavioral counseling to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise. Medicare covers this counseling if your primary care doctor or other qualified practitioner gives the counseling in a primary care setting (like a doctor's office), where they can coordinate your personalized prevention plan with your other care.

As an example, if weight loss is necessary for treating diseases like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and cardiovascular disease (among others), Medicare will cover the costs.

In order to reduce complications, Medicare also pays if your doctor advises you to lose weight before surgery.

The type of services and programs that Medicare helps pay for are:
- Initial assessment of your eating and activity habits.
- Health counseling.
- Dieting and exercise education.
- Follow-up visits to monitor your diet and weight loss progress.
- Up to three hours of individual counseling services the first year, and two hours each year after that.

As a general rule, Medicare does not cover long-term care facilities. As a result, Medicare does not pose a challenge to...
07/28/2026

As a general rule, Medicare does not cover long-term care facilities. As a result, Medicare does not pose a challenge to your clear title to your home. It is common for people in care settings to pay for their care. Some deplete their liquid assets over time and qualify for Medicaid assistance.

For more information on Medicaid eligibility, check your state's website.

Medicaid liens on homes have become common since the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1993, which forces estate recovery if the homeowner:

- Relied on Medicaid at age 55+.
- Left the home, at any age, for a permanent care setting.
- Has no dependents with valid claims to the house.

For states to receive federal Medicaid funds, they must recuperate for nursing, hospital, and drug services.

Address

876 N Mountain Avenue Suite 200A
Upland, CA
91786

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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