Obtaining Medicare coverage may sound simple, but there are many plans and providers to choose from. To make matters more complicated, Medicare plans include different parts of the Medicare program that cover different things, and this can sometimes make it difficult for seniors with complex health issues to find exactly what they need.
On top of all of this, you want to get the most coverage for the price out of your Medicare plan, including any premiums you will pay each month and any deductibles you will need to meet. Many Medicare plans also include the need to pay coinsurance or copayments when visiting certain medical providers for certain healthcare items. While the Medicare program standardizes some of these costs, others can vary from plan to plan.
The Downsides of Shopping on Your Own
In order to alleviate the above concerns, you’re encouraged to shop around to look for the right plan at the right price. Doing this, however, can be time-consuming, and you never really know if you’re getting the best deal.
After all, an insurance agent who is employed by a provider is being paid to sell a particular product, so it only makes sense that each provider-specific representative is going to point you in the direction of the products they sell. This may result in you getting a plan that meets your needs, but it may also cause you to miss some other plans on the market that may be right for you.
How Can Medicare Insurance Agents Help Me Find a Plan?
To avoid the hassles detailed above while also getting the benefit of shopping around for the right plan at the right price, many seniors choose to partner with independent Medicare advisors instead. Licensed independent advisors provide many of the same services as a traditional Medicare insurance agent, but with some key differences.
Independent Medicare insurance agents are not employed by any one provider, so they are able to impartially shop plans from a range of providers. This often results in unbiased information that can help you choose the plan that meets your needs.
Additionally, independent Medicare insurance agents can usually offer specific information about insurance regulations in your area that may pertain directly to your situation. This can be helpful when trying to plan out your Medicare strategy, and it can help you avoid making common Medicare mistakes.
A Single Point of Contact
Many seniors also find that having a single point of contact for all of their Medicare needs is an advantage. When you shop for plans on your own, you may find yourself overwhelmed and left with questions.
Licensed independent Medicare advisors are typically able to provide a more personalized experience, meaning you are more likely to get the answers you need faster and with fewer hassles. Whether you’re changing a plan during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period or you simply want to know about coverage for a particular healthcare item, your advisor can get you the answers you need.