By Christian Regalado
Over the years I’ve watched many things change in the healthcare industry; some of them are good and some not so good. The internet and advances in technology have brought with them mixed changes. On the upside, how we choose and enroll in health insurance plans is much easier for both brokers and clients. I use helpful online quoting tools every day. One of the downsides is the volume of information that’s available out there can feel inundating to consumers, and you don’t know what kind of rabbit hole you’ll find yourself in just trying to figure out what to do when you turn 65. And unfortunately, worst of all is the abundance of online predatory behavior.
Seniors are particular targets online, especially those seeking Medicare. It’s important to know that if someone calls you about Medicare, unless you requested the call, it’s fraudulent. Medicare will never call you, and brokers are not allowed to contact you unless they have written permission to do so. If you get a call that offers “free stuff”, it is fraudulent. While it’s true there are Medicare Advantage plans with extra benefits such as free groceries and other perks, these are generally Special Needs Plans for those who are on Medicare and Medicaid. It’s also true that many carriers will call after you enroll to go over plan information and ensure you are aware of the plan’s benefits. However, avoid enrolling in a new plan without speaking with your broker. Never give out your Medicare number to anyone over the phone unless you are enrolling with a trusted broker or called a carrier directly. If ever in doubt, call your broker. They’ll help you with any questions or concerns. I help my clients with these concerns quite often. I’m always happy when they call.
When first navigating the Medicare landscape, it can be quite confusing. Is a Supplement Plan or Advantage Plan best? Should an Advantage plan be an HMO or a PPO plan? An experienced broker can help you sort it out. Luckily, our assistance comes at no cost to you since brokers are paid through the insurance companies whose plans we are certified to sell. You want an independent, local broker who is able to sell you plans from the different carriers in your area. Agents that work directly for one carrier will only inform you on that carrier’s plans.
Crooks have always been around, and in the flesh, most of us generally know how to avoid them. With the internet, they can disguise themselves as anything. At worst, a friendly “agent” with a stolen logo attempts to solicit your information or hack into your computer to steal your personal information. While I am able to process enrollments online, I enjoy meeting most of my clients in my office in Santa Rosa Beach. I get to know my clients and they know me.
We can start talking about next year’s plans beginning October 1 and the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) starts on October 15. AEP is the opportunity to sign up for a 2027 Advantage Plan. It’s also open season for telemarketers who will lure you with advertisements offering “free” stuff or other enticing benefits. Beware! If you call that 800 number, they will try to collect your information and the unsolicited calls will really start! I’ve learned there are tricksters out there that prey on all of us, but especially seniors who generally are trusting. So, beware and be careful.
If I can help you, please give me a call at (850) 687-7606 or email me at christian@30ahealthins.com. You can also find more on the website at www.30AHealthins.com.
