How to Pick an Unbiased, Helpful Medicare Adviser
It’s not easy finding a knowledgeable, respected, and trustworthy authority on Medicare.
Here are some steps to increase your chances.
First, consider using the Internet to find some agents and/or consultants. Search for keywords such as “Medicare adviser + Hurst, Texas,” or “Medicare consultant + Bedford, Texas.” By doing this, you’ll find links to firms and advisers that you can start to vet.
Ask your neighbors, friends, and family for referrals.
You can also contact your state’s health insurance assistance program, https://www.shiphelp.org/. The SHIP is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.
Once you’ve assembled a list of advisers, you’ll need to figure out who to eliminate from your search and who gets to stay on your list of possible advisers.
Insurance agents are generally licensed in their resident state and offer many diverse types of insurance coverage, including health insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity plans, and Medicare plans.
Some insurance agents are jacks of all trades and masters of none. What you want is a master, someone who specializes in Medicare insurance and has the knowledge, skills, and integrity to assist you in finding the plan that fits your unique situation.
You can work with an independent agent or a captive agent. Both captive and independent agents are paid a commission to sell Medicare insurance policies, but a captive agent represents only one or two Medicare carriers. An independent Medicare adviser/agent will be authorized to offer many different Medicare plans to assist you with your needs, but then you are back with jacks of all trades and masters of none.
Here’s how the money flows. Agents are paid for enrolling a beneficiary in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap Plan. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sets the amount agents/brokers will be paid.
Your Medicare adviser should be attentive to your needs and present the Medicare plan or plans that fit your unique needs, whether it’s a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Supplement to Original Medicare.
The last filter has to do with the frequency of contact. A good Medicare adviser will be easy to contact. Your Medicare adviser should care about your needs and will want to ensure you’re on the Medicare plan that is right for your needs. When it comes to your Medicare coverage, demand only the best Medicare adviser to assist you with your choices. It’s your Medicare coverage. Make certain it’s the right coverage for you.
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