Medicare is unbelievably confusing to a new beneficiary. Stacks of mail arrive daily from both the goverment and from insurance carriers hawking their medicare supplement or medicare advantage plans, making it difficult to figure out which plan is best suited for you. Your Part B open enrollment window only last six months from its effective date, so many people feel pressured to make a choice rather fast, which can have terrible consequences if your doctor or preferred hospital does not accept your chosen plan. Independent insurance agents specializing in Medicare supplements can help you sort through the clutter so that you fully understand the insurance plan that you ultimately choose.
How do you select a credible person to help you who will care about your best interests? Here are a few tips for scouting out an ethical, honest, knowledgeable agent.
First, beware mail that you receive directly from an insurance carrier. If you call the number listed on these solicitations, you will reach a representative who offers only that one carrier’s policies. Does this person have your best interest in mind? Probably not, since he only earns his living if he can convince you that his product is better than the others. Instead, you want a broker that represents numerous different insurance carriers so that they are not biased when explaining your options, and won’t try to direct you to any product that doesn’t fit your needs or give you access to your physicians.
Second, look for an agent who specializes in Medicare-related insurance products. The world of insurance is vast – there are agents who sell group health insurance, individual health plans, cancer plans, disability, life insurance, etc. Medicare products, however, are complex and require considerable time on the agent’s part to be certified to offer these products. If an agent tries to sell too many different kinds of insurance, chances are he hasn’t dedicated the necessary amount of hours to really know all the ins and outs of Medicare. In other words, a jack of all trades is the master of none.
Third, try to spot the signs that demonstrate experience. Does the agent have an actual website with an email at that website’s domain, or does his business card say that you can reach him at joeinsuranceagent@yahoo.com? Does he have an office location where you can walk in the front door if there’s a problem with a claim? An agent’s office is a great neutral zone where you can obtain the information you need and leave when you want to if you’d like to think about the information before choosing. In today’s day and age, you don’t want a stranger asking to come inside your home to “sell” you on an insurance policy because that agent doesn’t have an office. Meeting with this person in your home puts considerable pressure on you to “buy” something.
Last but not least, find out if the agent works alone, because this may be an indicator that the agent is rather new to the industry. Veteran agents with long experience will most likely have staff members that they have hired to help them manage their client base. These agents want to make sure that if you call with a issue when the agent is in a meeting, there is someone else on hand to answer your questions. It’s advisable to find an agency with roots – one that has several knowledgeable employees answering incoming calls and questions during normal working hours.
By using these tips in your search for the right agent, you can definitely find a credible, established agent who has no reason to push you into quick decisions. Expert agents like these will be more concerned with whether you fully understand everything you are being shown, and that eventually you will be able to use this knowledge to make your own decision on which policy is right for you. In doing so, the agent knows that he or she can be your agent not just today, but for many years to come.
Overall, look for an agent or broker who has long-time experience in the Medicare insurance field and is appointed to sell various different Medicare-related insurance plans. Make sure the agent or agency offers you a true office location or suite where other staff members are available at least five days a week to take your calls and respond to your inquiries. Ask the agent if you can hold your initial appointment either at the agent’s office or by phone (whichever your prefer) instead of at your home. Last but not least, don’t hesitate to ask for references. Well-established agencies have many happy clients who can tell you how well their needs were met when they themselves were shopping for a medicare supplement.
If you or a friend needs an experienced Medigap insurance agent, be certain to spend time reading the wealth of great information compiled by the expert team at Boomer Benefits.