Are you turning 65 soon? Are you about to retire? If so, you’ve got some big changes up ahead! One of the many things on your mind is probably Medicare, the health insurance program for adults ages 65 and older. If you’ve heard much about the program, you probably know that there is a lot to learn when it comes to Medicare. Wouldn’t it be great if you could talk to someone who offers Medicare advice?
As it turns out, you can!
Medicare Advice from an Insurance Agent
You’ve probably got an insurance agent for your home and auto insurance. You may already have one for any life insurance policies, travel insurance, and maybe even some pet insurance too. But did you know there are insurance agents who specialize in Medicare?
Insurance agents who specialize in Medicare products can offer you great Medicare advice. They can educate you on how the Medicare program works and all the different options you have when it comes to Medicare insurance.
Here are a few of the things they can offer to Medicare beneficiaries:
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Medicare supplement plans (Medigap plans)
- Prescription drug plans
- Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) plans
- Cancer policies
- Life insurance
- Hospital indemnity plans
- And a whole lot more!
Insurance agents who specialize in Medicare products can teach you how the Medicare program works and also educate you on how additional products can work with your Medicare coverage to provide comprehensive medical insurance. Once you find an agent, you can continue working with them each year to make sure you still have the best coverage.
- Insurance agents who specialize in Medicare products can offer you great Medicare advice.
How to Pick a Good Medicare Advisor
Have you gotten a call from a company offering you a Medicare product yet? Chances are, you’ve gotten more than just a few phone calls. You may have also seen TV commercials, heard radio ads, and gotten flyers in the mail. With all these choices, how do you know how to pick a good agent?
Let’s talk about a few things you should look for in an agent when seeking Medicare advice.
The agent should offer all options.
If you’d like to pursue coverage to supplement the coverage provided by Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you have two options: Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplements. Your agent should explain both options to you and should discuss the pros and cons of each. Sometimes, there may not be Medicare Advantage plans available in your area.
The agent should be independent, not captive.
There is nothing wrong with working with a captive agent. However, a “captive” agent means that they offer plans from just one company. They will not tell you if there are other plans that have similar coverage or are less expensive. They’ll only tell you what their company has.
An independent agent, on the other hand, has contracts with many carriers. They hand-pick which carriers to be contracted with based on the carrier’s reputation. They find companies who have good customer service and are not known for increasing their rates quickly. An independent agent will look at plans from many different carriers so that they can find the best coverage for the most competitive price.
The agent should spend time getting to know you.
Insurance agents have many clients to see, but you should work with one that has taken the time to get to know you are your needs. Without some conversation about your health and budget, the agent won’t be able to make the best recommendation. You should feel comfortable talking with your insurance agent. Your agent should follow up with you occasionally if there are changes that could benefit you. This may mean a lower premium or a plan that offers the coverage you’ve been looking for.
If you’re looking for Medicare advice, look no further! We have licensed agents that can answer all of your Medicare questions and find the Medicare products you need. Give our office a call today and schedule a complimentary consultation.