questions about Medicare Archives

Do you know the difference between a Medicare Insurance Broker and a Captive Agent?

I hope your week is going well despite these crazy times.

It’s beginning to feel like fall here. Can you believe we’re already having snow in the mountains? Hopefully it’ll put out some of the fires.

Not knowing the difference between a Broker and an Captive Agent during this Annual Election Period can cause consumers to seriously limit their Medicare options. Click on the picture below to learn more and to see my family 😊.

When I first began working in insurance many years ago, I was a Captive Agent. But after two months, it became clear that I couldn’t truly help people shop for coverage unless I became independent and I’ve been a Broker ever since.

What I love about being a Medicare Insurance Broker is the freedom to provide clients with the unvarnished truth, the good, the bad and the ugly about all the plans. I’m not always able to help everyone, but I do try to do my best and to learn from every interaction and continue to grow. That’s all we can do, right?

The Annual Election Period is now in full swing and all of the plans for 2021 are out. Medicare Supplement Plans really don’t change much from year to year. Many of the Medicare Advantage Plans have raised their Maximum out of Pocket levels but they’ve also increased some of their offerings, $0 copay telehealth visits and over the counter spending benefits. Every person’s needs are different.

The important thing? Book a time on my calendar if you are not sure if your current coverage fits the bill. Also remember to look at your drug costs and make certain your drug coverage is still working, especially if your taking expensive brand name drugs.

Have a great week and let your friends know I’m here if they have questions about Medicare.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

How will you respond on the worst day of your life?

A wise person once said, “it’s not what happens but how we respond that determines our lives.”

True words.

Check out this video and you’ll see how my brother responded to the worst day in his life, when he became a paraplegic.

Despite the trauma, Robert has a new lease on life and has chosen not to let this event define him. Listen to his story here.

Learning to respond instead of reacting, that’s the key. Somedays are easier than others. The important thing to remember, you don’t have to be perfect, you can’t be perfect, you just have to keep trying. Here’s an article that may help.

In the Medicare world, I’m seeing some of the ugliest, most aggressive marketing on the web that I have ever seen and I am shocked at how consumers are being maligned!

I spoke with a woman this week, seven months out from Medicare who had booked a time on my calendar. An unscrupulous call center agent had already enrolled her in a plan AND THE AGENT DIDN’T EVEN REVIEW HER WORK COVERAGE (or her drugs)!

That’s criminal (in my opinion). He just wanted to sign her up and move on to the next dollar. Every week, I run across people in this situation.

The good news, we can probably get this reversed and get her back in her work coverage (if it turns about to be better). Tell your friends and family NEVER to sign up with a call center broker. They will sign you up as quickly as possible (and often don’t review your drugs, the most important part). Most of the time you’ll never talk with them again.

Look, if I’m not your cup of tea, no worries! But do find somebody local who’s going be with you for the duration. Just like they said on Hawaii 5-0 back in the day, “Book him Danno, Medicare is for life!” Well, something like that.

So remember to respond instead of reacting, and if you have questions about Medicare, check in with me and I’ll do my best to help.

Get outside and feel better

As we age into Medicare, it’s important to get outside and feel better.

As our son prepares for the Air Force, we’re doing our best to spend time together before he begins his service.

Especially in these times of COVID, one of the healthiest things we can do is to get outside and spend time with family and friends (assuming you like them 😉)

Studies have shown that time in nature relieves stress and anxiety, improves mood, increases energy and longevity and just makes us happier.

Even walking around the neighborhood or puttering in the garden, either way, you’ll be better and happier.

Here’s an article that confirms it.

If you have questions about Medicare or how to stay healthy, give me a call or book a time on my calendar.

As a Medicare Insurance broker, it’s my job to take the mystery out of Medicare.

The Secret to Happiness!

I hope you are having great a week despite these crazy times.

I’m not much of a believer in gurus but today, I am going to give you the secret to happiness 😊,

Check out the video!

Yes, the answer is animals! Studies have shown that furry household companions lower blood pressure and increases oxytocin.

Look you don’t have get a pet if you are truly not a fan of animals (the hair, the noise, the expense), but understand the underlying value:

Having an animal provides companionship and takes the focus off of self. By the time we are of Medicare age, many of the activities and routines that provided meaning and companionship may have gone away. A life of service gives joy, makes us happy and provides meaning.

So you don’t have to get a pet but having sure gives you a reason to get up and to thrive. Plan B is service to family, friends, community and the world. Feel free to pick, but do engage in one or all and you will be happier.

That’s a promise.

Be sure to check in with your questions about Medicare.