Independent Life and Health Agent in California
Medicare Assistance Tailored for You
Your health is your most important asset.
Sorting through the maze of Medicare can be frustratingly complex and yet choosing the right plan is one of the most important decisions you can make upon retirement. If you are turning 65, you are suddenly faced with many choices:
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Do I need to apply for Medicare Part A and B? Part D?
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What milestones do I need to meet to avoid penalties?
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Should I choose a Medicare Supplement Plan or an Advantage Plan or just stay with Original Medicare?
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What is covered and what are my exposure risks with each option?
As an independent agent, I can help you decipher the jargon, meet the proper deadlines, answer all your questions, and help you choose what is best for you based on your unique situation.
Medicare is not "set it and forget it."
Once you are enrolled in the plan of your choosing, it's important to monitor it every year. A good independent agent will review your plan every year to determine if your plan coverage has changed, of if the premiums have increased. This allows you peace of mind knowing you have the coverage you need.
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Supplement plan premiums change yearly and there are substantial differences between how different carriers change their rates.
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Medicare Advantage plan networks change as doctors leave or join the networks. Carriers also change the benefits offered.
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Prescription Drug formularies change what is covered.
It is important to have an agent that will actively follow the plan you choose every year to make sure it still is the best suited for your needs.
Working with an independent agent gives you the peace of mind knowing that someone is there for you to make sure your still getting the coverage you originally signed up for.
And the great thing is you don't pay for the service. Independent agents are paid by the insurance company you choose. Since commissions are already included in the premium –whether you use the service or not–having expert guidance saves you both time and money so you can enjoy your retirement.
Medicare Supplements Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans (also know as Medigap plans) are the "letter name plans" such as Plan G or Plan N. They are intended to cover what is not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Since you cannot be on both a Medicare Supplement plan AND a Medicare Advantage plan, it is crucial to make the right choice. Medicare Supplement plans allow you to see any doctor who accepts original Medicare. Although the premium is higher than Medicare advantage, they are the most flexible in terms of accessing the treatment you need since it is you and your doctor, not an insurance company that decides what treatments you need.
Medicare Advantage ("Part C")
Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Part C) are the plans most people are familiar with- mainly due to advertising and their popularity with large employers. They are intended to replace Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and so are managed by private insurance companies rather than the government. It is important to know if your doctor/medical center accepts the insurance plan. I can help you find a plan that your physicians accept. They often they come with extra benefits such as dental/vision/prescription drug plans and other perks. An important point about Medicare Advantage plans is that they DO NOT require underwriting- so people who have pre-existing conditions will not be disqualified.
Dental/Vision/Prescription Drug Plans ("Part D")
These are stand-alone supplement plans that you can add onto your Medicare Supplement Plans. They often use a network of dentists/vision clinics/pharmacies similar to Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a dentist, optometrist, or pharmacy that you like, it is important to make sure that they accept the plan you are choosing.
Some of the Carriers Represented
