Whether you’re new to Medicare or looking for a better plan, learn more about the top five topics you should discuss with your licensed advisor.
At Keen, we help you find the right plan for you and your needs. All of our advisors are licensed agents who understand the intricate dynamics of Medicare plans and the enrollment process, giving you better insight as the prospective enrollee.
Still, arming yourself with information is important: You should always feel empowered to ask whatever questions may be on your mind to make sure you’re comfortable with the plan you’re selecting.
Whether you’re new to Medicare or looking for a better plan, here are the top five topics to discuss with your advisor:
At Keen, we believe strongly in choice. As an enrollee, the more insurance carriers your licensed advisor has access to the more options you have to choose between plans. Otherwise, they may be recommending a specific plan simply because it’s the only one they can sell. With that in mind, be sure to ask your advisor about which carriers they’re contracted with and whether there are any carriers they aren’t contracted with in your zip code.
Planning an upcoming medical procedure? What about international travel? If so, be sure to ask if these are covered under the plan your advisor recommends. In some cases, there may be an option that can save you more money over the course of the next year, versus a plan that may look more appealing at first glance (like a $0 out of pocket plan).
Many prospective enrollees forget to ask about ancillary benefits and lesser-known Medicare benefits, but they can provide significant perks for some people, like transportation to and from medical appointments. Whether or not the benefits interest you, we strongly encourage learning more so that you can better understand your options.
Yes, star ratings can be important. Star ratings offer an objective measure of a plan's performance and are evaluated by Medicare every year. The scores use a scale of one to five stars, with five stars indicating the highest performance. The rating system also helps you consider the quality of the benefits and customer service of a plan. If you’re unsure about a plan’s star rating, ask your advisor for more information.
Your plan’s network is what gives you access to your doctors, clinics, hospitals, and specialists. The larger the network the more options you have to choose from. Some doctors and specialists do not contract with all plans, so if you have preferred providers talk with your advisor about whether or not they accept the plan you’re considering.
We want to help take the confusion out of Medicare enrollment. Please call us today at (888) 443-5336 (TTY: 711) or schedule an appointment with one of our licensed Medicare agents to learn more.