Blake E. Cornish
Why Should You Use an Independent Broker
When Applying for Medicare?
Choosing a Medicare plan carries a high degree of importance for several reasons:
- You want the best healthcare coverage for your situation
- You want to keep your out-of-pocket expenses manageable
- You want a plan that you understand, so that you don’t experience unpleasant surprises
- You want to take advantage of the best opportunities available to you, during the appropriate time windows
- You don’t want to experience shocking gaps in coverage
- And probably a few more reasons, depending upon your circumstances
But because Medicare can be a complicated topic, with many different plans available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. Working with an independent health insurance broker can help you make sense of all your options.
Benefits of Using a Broker
Insurance brokers are independent agents who represent multiple insurance carriers. This professional has dedicated their career to understanding the complex web of Medicare insurance options, and therefore has experience dealing with almost any situation imaginable.
Because brokers work independently, rather than for a specific insurance carrier, they can offer you unbiased guidance. You can feel confident that this professional is helping you identify your own priorities and needs, and is using those to inform their recommendations.
After you’ve enrolled in your chosen plan, a broker continues to offer support. You will have access to a team that can answer your questions and help you learn about your policy. And in the event of a problem, your support team can help you:
- Solve billing errors
- File an appeal for coverage
- Access medications when pharmacy exceptions occur
- Answer questions about your coverage
- Alert you when your coverage options change
Since brokers are intimately familiar with each insurance provider’s underwriting procedures, they can offer you vital information regarding your application. Often you can save significant amounts of time by applying for a policy through a broker, who already knows which companies are likely to accept you.
How do brokers get paid?
Brokers are paid a commission by the companies they represent, and that commission is prebuilt into the cost of each policy. The rate you pay for your Medicare plan is the same, whether or not you use a broker. When you enroll directly with the insurance carrier, they keep that commission money for themselves, rather than offering a discount.
That means you can access the unbiased services of a broker at no extra cost to you. Plus, you can enjoy all of the continued extra benefits as part of the deal.
How are brokers trained/certified?
Health insurance brokers undergo hundreds of rigorous training hours on Medicare law before they begin working with clients.
Each broker must complete the following steps in order to represent Medicare insurance companies and provide vital assistance to their clients:
- Complete pre-licensure education according to state law
- Pass their state’s licensing exam
- Apply for, and obtain, a license through the National Insurance Producer Registry
- Complete AHIP Medicare certification
- Purchase errors and omissions coverage, as required by law
- Apply for work through a brokerage firm, such as a National Marketing Organization or National Marketing Alliance
- Complete Annual Carrier Medicare Certifications
- Maintain Health Insurance License Continuing Education
Our licensed and certified agents are in your local area and ready to answer your questions and help you with the Medicare application process – all at no cost or obligation!
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