How does Georgia Medicare work? Do I pay more to use an insurance agent? Can I buy a Medicare supplement plan without an agent? Medicare expert explains. Click SHOW MORE to see the time stamps.
How to find the BEST Medicare supplement plan? How much extra will I pay to buy through a broker? Do insurance agents offer the same plans that I can get direct from a carrier? Don't most insurance agents push the plans that pay them the highest commission? Watch our video. Bob Vineyard
Time Stamp
0:30 Turning 65. What do you do? Who do you ask?
0:50 Pick from the 50 “best” carriers
1:12 Do you cut out the middleman?
2:00 How much will you save by going direct?
2:30 Agents are biased and push the plan that pays them the most
3:10 Specialization!
3:55 National brokers will SELL you what THEY want you to have
Turning 65?You must have Medicare Part A and Part B before you can enroll in a Medigap plan.
It doesn't matter if you are turning 65 and going on Medicare for the first time or you have been in the Medicare system for a few years. Most people still don't really understand how Medicare works and how it applies to them.
You have questions. We have answers.
Shopping for senior health insurance coverage? With more than 230 different Medicare supplement plans in Georgia, how do you find the one that is right for you? Searching Medicare supplement plans 2018? Click and compare rates and plans from GA Medigap quotes
Everyone that calls will get a report that is customized to reflect the plan or plans where they have an interest.
If the agent that is trying to SELL you on buying from him or her isn't offering information like this, what else are they keeping from you?
This question comes up from time to time but I suspect it is often considered but rarely asked. When it happens to me it usually comes in the form of "How much do you charge for your advice?".
Perhaps I should consider it an affront, but I don't. I do wonder if they ask their home and auto insurance agent same question. Similarly, when people go online do they ask them how much more they have to pay for buying a plan from an 800 number agent?
My response is always the same.
Medicare supplement plans you buy through me are the exact same plan at the same rate as those you would buy direct from the carrier. The only difference is, when you buy from me you get the advantage of my 40 years of experience at no additional charge.
When you call you get me or my voice mail. You will never hear "Press 1 for English".
Call a carrier and you talk to whoever answers the phone that day, if you get a live person. More often than not you get voice mail. You have no idea who will call you back or when. You don't know if they have worked for the carrier for years or just started last week.
Did I mention you pay the same premium for the same plan when you buy from an insurance agent?
Both Medigap and Advantage plans cover the same types of medical treatment, but what you pay out of pocket for your care, and where you receive your care, is very different.
If you receive non-emergency out of network care under a PPO you may have higher copay’s and deductibles. Your max OOP may also be higher. Some plans do not cap out of network charges.
Non-emergency out of network care charges may be denied if you have an HMO.
The American Cancer Society tells us that more than half the 1.4 million new cancer diagnoses occur in people age 65 and older. Roughly 20% of retiree deaths are a result of cancer. Medicare pays for almost half of the $74 billion spent on cancer treatment. The elderly account for 70% of cancer deaths each year.
Some cancer centers, such as Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson do not participate in Medicare Advantage plans.
Not all cancer responds to chemotherapy, but 80% of cancers are treated with chemo. Those treatments occur in an outpatient setting and are covered under Medicare Part B.
Chemotherapy drugs administered in a doctor's office or clinic normally fall under Part B. Medication from a retail pharmacy or by mail fall under your PDP.
We represent several carriers including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Humana and more.
According to the Mayo clinic, "new cancer treatments are routinely priced at over $100,000 per year of treatment."
A good insurance agent will help you navigate the Medicare maze. He or she will take the time to explain how Medicare works. They will ask questions to find out what YOU want and expect from your coverage.
Bob Vineyard has over 40 years experience in the health insurance field. All your questions will be answered. People love to buy but they hate to be sold.
You have questions. We have answers. Georgia Medicare Plans
#GeorgiaMedicarePlans #MedicareExpert #Turning65
Cut out the Middle man or use a Medicare agent?
Good stuff Bob. I’ve heard that when you call some of the 800 #’s, you don’t even talk to a licensed agent. Any truth to that?
I can’t offer specifics, but many places that offer “free” consultations are staffed by paid staffers with little training. One very large benefit consulting firm contracts with large employers to guide retirees along the Medicare maze. Few if any of these sherpa’s have a Medicare or insurance background. They are put through a brief training program, two weeks or less, to be taught how to access the computer program. Armed with only the skills to type in questions and read a response they offer up “advice” that will impact many retirees for 20- 30 years.
This same model, allowing a clerk to look up answers from a database, is used by large national agencies and carriers alike. You may never speak to the same person twice. The clerk may have had this position for 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years.
I don’t know all the answers but I do know where to find them when stumped. But I feel many will appreciate the advice that comes with over 40 years working in the health insurance industry. Prospective clients don’t pay extra for my counsel. Rather it is a bonus. https://youtu.be/bLltjeCVneE