Medicare for 2016 increases.

[Oaktree]

I remember our mailbox being deluged with offers from various insurance companies in the months before I, and more recently, my wife turned 65.

Yeah, no kidding. My wife and I are only a couple weeks apart in age so we both got deluged at the same time, we even had one agent just show up at the house to see my wife (she wasn't home at the time). He claimed she'd requested that an agent call which was news to her.

Most of the supplemental policies were hideously expensive, especially given that neither of us have any health issues to speak of. Given that neither of us had any insurance at all for the past 3+ years ($600+/mo each for Obamacare? I don't think so), straight Medicare was good enough for now.

I retired from a state university and my wife and I have our Medicare supplemental coverage through the state's group plan.

Nice if you have that option, but not one most of us have.

 

[k0ua]

Yeah, no kidding. My wife and I are only a couple weeks apart in age so we both got deluged at the same time, we even had one agent just show up at the house to see my wife (she wasn't home at the time). He claimed she'd requested that an agent call which was news to her.

Most of the supplemental policies were hideously expensive, especially given that neither of us have any health issues to speak of. Given that neither of us had any insurance at all for the past 3+ years ($600+/mo each for Obamacare? I don't think so), straight Medicare was good enough for now.

Not to pick on you, and I understand your frustration because your mailbox is full and many agents are contacting you, and I would agree that all agents might not have your best interest in mind, but most do. That said let me ask some general questions.

Do you have a good understanding of the liabilities and exposure you will face if you just stay on original Medicare alone? Such as how many times you could be exposed per year to the Part A deductible? What are the rules governing each benefit period? How many months do you have to sign up for Medicare with guaranteed issue? Are you guaranteed issue if your are chronically ill now.? What happens if you want a supplement later in life when you are ill? What does medical underwriting mean? What are the 23 knock out questions? What happens when I turn 68? what are the 2 knock out questions when I am 65 but past my guaranteed issue months? What are the 7 rights? What are the reasons a supplement to original medicare might be better than a lower premium advantage plan? How many supplement plans were you informed about?(Many companies only two!) There are many plans in many different price ranges. When would an advantage plan be a better value? How long do I have to test drive an advantage plan and can I ever get out of it? Is your state an issue age state or attained age state or both? And on and on and on. We have training 3 times a week on these things to keep up with new rules and interpretations. Do you?

Imagine the gall of an agent trying to inform you of your rights and options on a subject that is probably the most important one you will make concerning your health and the path you will take for the remainder of your life. And all it will take is some of your time to listen to what he or she has to say. As far as price per month being exorbitant, the highest price Plan F from any company is a fraction of the cost of an individual health care plan if you are buying in the individual marketplace today.

Yes we agents in the Insurance industry are a persistent lot, but education is your best weapon in the heath care market today and in your future. So the next time someone comes calling you might consider giving them an opportunity to provide you with their industry knowledge.

The truth is, If you had an inkling of what we know, and what you need to know, you would be beating on our doors to get that information.

 

[kthompson]

k0ua,

I totally agree with your last post very much. Most agents do care and those who don't if you listen carefully normally you will pick up they don' If they do not offer reasoning or info on why they recommend what they do then may not be the agent you want. But a good agent will keep you safe and be worth more than we make to you.

Now I do not find the retirement coverage offered is always that great and learned today Internation Paper is dropping their retirement plan.

 

[k0ua]

k0ua,

I totally agree with your last post very much. Most agents do care and those who don't if you listen carefully normally you will pick up they don' If they do not offer reasoning or info on why they recommend what they do then may not be the agent you want. But a good agent will keep you safe and be worth more than we make to you.

Now I do not find the retirement coverage offered is always that great and learned today Internation Paper is dropping their retirement plan.

So many companies have already dropped their plans, both retirement and retirement medical coverage, as well as medical coverage for their current workers is getting higher and less benefits every year. The last client I spoke to today was very appreciative of the information we gave him and explained his options. No sale today, but at least he has an idea of what to do and a path forward when he eventually takes out Part B, as he still has credible coverage, so he should be good to go. I enjoy helping people understand what amounts to a very complicated subject. Am I happy when they take out a plan with me? Sure, I enjoy eating too. But I enjoy educating people and informing them of their choices too.