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7 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Medicare Agent

Choosing a Medicare plan can be challenging with dozens and dozens of plans often available with different pros and cons. Here are seven questions to ask during your first visit with a Medicare agent to see if they are the best choice for your needs:

1. “Do you offer ALL the plans available in my area?”

  • If they are not contracted with all of the insurance carriers, you may be missing out on a plan that better fits your unique needs. It is best to work with someone who can show you all of the options, not just one or two. 
  • At The Medicare Store, we are contracted with most of the carriers in the communities we serve.

 

2. “Are you local?”

  • There are so many bad actors out there when it comes to providing Medicare advice. You think you have someone you can trust over the phone, but what if meeting in-person is important to you? Using someone local not only allows for that, but also means they are specifically aligned with providers in your community. They know the doctors, the clinics, the hospitals…someone in a call center far from you does not. Use someone local, you won’t regret it!
  • The Medicare Store is local and provides free, unbiased, personal advice with a Licensed Agent!

 

3. “Do you offer plans for those on Medicare and Medicaid?”

  • A good indicator of an altruistic Medicare agent is if they are willing to assist you with programs that fit your financial situation best. Many people cannot afford their copays and medications. Will the agent help you find the best plan for your financial situation?
  • At The Medicare Store, do what’s best for you. One of our Core Values is “Good People Doing Good Things” meaning we always act with integrity ad do what is right and help our members live healthy and happy lives.

 

4. “How long have you been in business and is your online footprint positive?”

  • In today’s online world, it is often a benefit to the consumer to do some research on who they are working with. Check an agency’s Google reviews. Are people happy with who they work with? Maybe you can ask for a person specifically mentioned in the review and work with them based on the positive feedback of another person. Longevity in this industry says a lot as many are not in Medicare for the right reasons. Ask how many years they have been in business and check their online reviews. Work with only those in the high 4-star ratings.

 

5. “What is your customer service guarantee post-enrollment?”

  • Many Medicare agents sign you up and never speak to you again. You are just a number. What do they offer in terms of customer service or plan follow through? Do they have a service team who can take your questions if they cannot? How can someone at their agency be reached if your agent is not available? These are important things to consider as many people are left in the dust after enrollment.
  • At The Medicare Store, we are proud of our Service Excellence Team where anyone who has enrolled in a plan with us can call our Service Excellence Team to ask questions and seek answers to their Medicare questions. It truly is one of the best parts of working with The Medicare Store.

 

6. “Do you have a place of business?”

  • It is so important for clients to have direct access to their Medicare agent. Yes, it is okay if they want to meet at a coffee shop or at your home, but there is peace of mind knowing you can show up at anytime at their place of business to get your questions answered.
  • At The Medicare Store, our locations in Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Albuquerque, are open Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm.

 

7. “Do I have options or is this more of a hard sell?”

  • This is probably more of a warning than anything. If you feel pressured in the direction of a plan, it probably should be a red flag to jump ship. Unfortunately, there are some salespeople out there who are not looking out for your best interests, and there is a lot of competition in the Medicare world. Some agents may steer clients toward a plan that could help them earn a trip to the beach, but will leave the client feeling less than relaxed.
  • The Medicare Store will do what is right for you, even if that means not enrolling in a plan with us. We will not push any certain plan on you and will advise what is truly best to meet your healthcare and lifestyle needs.

 

If you need Medicare advice, call us at 1-888-333-5853 to schedule an appointment with a Licensed Agent!

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Not affiliated with the U.S. government or federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 12 organizations which offer 83 products in southern Nevada, 11 organizations which offer 57 products in northern Nevada, 10 organizations which offer 71 products in New Mexico, 10 organizations which offer 66 products in Texas, and 7 organizations which offer 46 products in Utah. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Not for use in CA, FL, or NE.

About The Medicare Store
themedicarestore.com is privately owned and operated as a non-government resource for those who depend on Medicare. We provide Medicare information in a simple and straightforward way. If you’re looking for the government’s Medicare site, it is located at: www.medicare.gov

A Note on Cost
The costs associated with Medicare plans are highly regulated by the federal government. The plans have the same costs regardless of where you purchase them. Whether you purchase your Medicare plan through the Medicare Store, a government website, or directly from a carrier, there will be no difference in costs to you.

This website and its contents are for informational purposes only.
Nothing on this website should ever be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult with your medical provider regarding diagnosis or treatment for a health condition, including decisions about the correct medication for your condition, as well as prior to undertaking any specific exercise or dietary routine.

The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We sell insurance offered from a number of different Medicare Supplement insurance companies.

Aetna – Aetna Medicare is a PDP, HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal.

Anthem Blue Cross – Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross depends on contract renewal.

Cigna – Cigna-HealthSpring is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in Cigna-HealthSpring depends on contract renewal.

Humana – Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

Molina Healthcare–  Molina Healthcare is contracted with Medicare for HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs.

Prominence Health Plan – Prominence Health Plan is an HMO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Prominence Health Plan depends on contract renewal.

SCAN Health Plan –SCAN Health Plan is an HMO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan depends on contract renewal.

SelectHealth – SelectHealth is an HMO, HMO-SNP plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SelectHealth Advantage depends on contract renewal.

Senior Care Plus – Senior Care Plus is a Medicare Advantage organization and a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Senior Care Plus depends on contract renewal.

UnitedHealthcare – Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

WellCare – Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract, and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal.