THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025 Page 11 OBITUARIES Anthony Flammia Beware of the Medicare Advantage Trap Dear Savvy Senior, I will be enrolling in Medicare in a few months and would like to know if I initially enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, am I able to switch back to original Medicare and get a supplemental (Medigap) policy and prescription drug plan later with without paying a fi ne? Almost 65 Dear Almost, You won’t be subject to any fines for switching Medicare plans, but you will be subject to medical underwriting for the supplemental (Medigap) policy. That means the private insurance companies that off er these plans can deny you coverage or charge you a lot more for preexisting conditions. This is known as the Medicare Advantage trap. Here’s what you should know. Understanding MA Plans Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are government approved health plans sold by private insurance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. The vast majority of Advantage plans are managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors. If you join an Advantage plan, the plan will provide all your Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) coverage like original Medicare does. But many Advantage plans also off er extra health perks like dental, hearing and vision coverage along with gym/fitness memberships, and most plans include prescription drug coverage too. Medicare Advantage plans are also cheaper than if you got original Medicare, plus a separate Part D drug plan and a Medigap policy. This can be very attractive to new enrollees who are relatively healthy and don’t require much medical care. But the benefi ts and networks of Advantage plans can change from year to year. And if you get care outside the networks, you’ll usually pay more — sometimes a lot more. Advantage plans are also criticized for pre-authorization requirements which can delay or deny patient access to medical care. The rap on Medicare Advantage has always been that they’re great when you’re healthy and don’t require much health care, but depending on the plan, may not be so great if you get sick. With original Medicare, benefi ts remain the same and you can use any provider that accepts Medicare (most doctor’s do). But original Medicare has coverage gaps (deductibles, coinsurance and copayments) that can be very expensive, which is why you’ll need a supplemental (Medigap) plan off ered by a private insurer. If you opt for original Medicare when you’re fi rst eligible, insurers are required to issue you a Medigap policy and can’t charge you more based on your health status. In most states, Medigap plans are automatically available only in the fi rst six months after an enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare. But if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when you’re fi rst eligible, you’ll miss the Medigap enrollment window, which means an insurer can refuse to write you a Medigap policy or charge you a lot more for signing up later. And in case you’re wondering, you can’t buy a Medigap policy while you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan. There are, however, four states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New York — that prohibit insurers from denying a Medigap policy to eligible applicants, including people with pre-existing conditions. For more information on how Medigap works visit Medicare.gov/ health-drug-plans/medigap. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. O f Revere. Passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in the North End of Boston on March 18, 1932, and raised in East Boston by the late Antonio Flammia and Lucia (Pagliarulo). Beloved husband of the late Catherine (Dhima). Anthony was a skilled handyman, working tirelessly in the construction industry and later as head of maintenance at the Revere House (now the Jack Satter House). He had an innate ability to fi x anything, but he was much more than just a skilled tradesman. He was a reliable pillar in his community and a devoted family man. After the death of his father, Antonio, Anthony stepped up to help raise his younger siblings, a testament to his dedication and love for his family. He was a devoted father of Stefanie Flammia of Beverly, and Michael Flammia and his wife Winda of Revere. Cherished grandfather of Mikayla and Jacob. Dear brother of the late George Flammia and his surviving wife Maureen of Peabody, and the late Michael, Rico, Joseph, Louis, Frances, and Mary. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. A Visitation will be held at the Paul Buonfi glio & Sons Funeral Home 128 Revere St, Revere on Monday, July 28, 2025, from 10:00am to 12:00pm followed by a Prayer Service in the funeral home at 12:00 pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment Woodlawn cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or at www.stjude.org. Robert (Bobby) Stover Visitation for Bobby was held at Buonfi glio Funeral Home on Thursday, July 24 with funeral on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 10 AM at Buonfi glio funeral home 128 Revere Street with interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park 185 Lake St. Peabody. Joanne M. (Fasbender) Leavitt O f Revere. Entered into rest on July 17, 2025, at the age of 66. Beloved fi - ancé/husband of Darlene Zimmer. Devoted father figure to David Zimmer, Stacy Zimmer, James Hagemeister. Cherished Papa of Hunter Skane. The loving brother of Thomas M. Stover of Peabody, MA, Dennis W. Stover of Colorado and his daughters. Also survived by niece Tammy Bowman, her husband Jeff rey of Maine and their children Ethan, Emma, and Camen, niece Jacqueline Faria, her husband Sean of Stoughton and their children Cassandra & Nathan and nephew Richard Stover of NH. He was predeceased by his late brother Richard Stover, as well as his late wife Donna Stover, Dear son of the late Helen M. (Marsh) and Thomas M. Stover. He grew up in Revere and graduated from Revere High School. He was a carpet installer and flooring specialist. He was a dedicated member of the Loyal Order of Moose. He loved and was very passionate about the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, & the Boston Bruins (win or lose he loved his teams), working in his yard and garden, meeting people, helping neighbors, riding his Harley whenever he could. He cherished the time spent with family and friends and spoke of them often. O f Revere. Age 93, died on July 13th, 2025, at the Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation Center in Saugus after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late John F. Leavitt. Born, raised and a lifelong resident of Revere, Joanne had been a resident of the Point of Pines for the 55 years. She worked for many years as an offi ce worker in the banking industry. She is survived by her two children: Michele Doherty and her husband Gene of Revere, John F. Leavitt Jr. and his wife Rose of Delaware, fi ve grandchildren; Sean, Brian and Kevin Doherty, Jack and Stephen Leavitt and 5 great grandchildren. She was the sister of Lois Fucillo of Revere and the late Dorothy Fasbender, Janice Waitt and Cheryl Maroney. Mrs. Leavitt was also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends were invited to attend a funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere, on Saturday, July 19. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ stjude.org.
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