Right now, it seems like every TV commercial is someone telling you how great their coverage is and inviting you to call them to check your zip code. Since the Annual Enrollment Period is here, these advertisements have become a nuisance… what’s even worse is when they call you!
Although it is important to review your plan each year, that does not require you to respond to marketing advertisements and solicitations.
Here are a few tips to help you deal with marketing advertisements and solicitations during this time:
- Using a Medicare advisor is always best. These are licensed insurance agents who have a fiduciary responsibility to provide accurate unbiased information.
- If you get help making your healthcare decisions from a family member or power of attorney, be sure that person is there with you for each conversation you have about health coverage.
- When comparing plan options, be sure you are prepared to compare your current coverage. Know your current plan’s premium, deductibles, copays, as well as your doctor’s name and location.
- Protect yourself from telephone scams. Most Medicare sales agents are not allowed to call you unless you have requested a call. If you receive a call from someone who is pressuring you to divulge personal information, hang up immediately.
- Always remember that Medicare and Social Security will not call you unless you asked for help with an issue.
- Be sure to do a comprehensive plan analysis before you change your coverage. Sure, that plan on the TV sounds great, but what will you be losing in order to get it? Some people have coverage that they cannot get back once they disenroll, that’s why it is important to thoroughly weigh out your options before you jump ship.
While we are all being inundated with marketing and advertisements, we don’t expect it to go away any time soon. Your best bet? Call a trusted AMAC Medicare advisor to help you through the process during the Annual Enrollment Period which ends December 7th.
For help with Medicare plans – or any questions you may have about Medicare – contact AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service at 1-855-611-4856 or request a quote below!
People accepting the advantage plan should understand that the agent will receive a commission every year the plan is in effect!!
I will be contacting you. I turn 65 next July.
There’s a lot of useless commentary out there. As a former agent, we educated our clients about
Supplemental. Ask your agent about Supplemental. Its often referred to as Medigap but agents
use the term Supplemental which allows you to avoid the 20% payment doctor payment which you
must pay with the over-ballyhooed Advantage plan that everyone sells. Suppose you have a
serious $100K doctor bill heart surgery, under Advantage you must pay $20K. Know this.
Really knowing Medicare is a 3 hour credit college course. Its NOT a 15 minute decision.
Do not accept what your best friend is doing.
As a former agent, these ads are timewasters. Talk with an agent and not just the one your
best friend uses. Understand fully what Medicare Supplemental is. The word Supplemental is
never used in the ads. I have had Supplemental for 10 years.
I am a retired federal employee. Will your representatives be able to help me figure out which plan is better for me – stick with my former employer or try one of the newer plans? The representatives I have talked to so far have not been very helpful when it comes to retired federal employees.
I have original Medicare A & B and right now my supplement is under Aetna N61. I switched from BCBS for 2022 but can’t say that I am pleased with Aetna. I also have dental insurance with United Concordia that I plan to keep. Every year I go thru the same process – do I stay with this, or do I change to one of the “almost too good to be true” advertisements on TV.
I am 59 and on Disability. I have Medicare Parts A, B and D am I eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan?
I feel and have been told this new “Medicare plan” is just the first step toward socialize insurance for the USA! NO THANKS, I will give up many other things in my life to stay free – – the government rules my life to much as it is.