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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Senior Benefits Adviser?

Senior Benefits Adviser.com's mission is to make Medicare more transparent and accessible for America’s 60 million Medicare beneficiaries. 

I aim to simplify a traditionally confusing and complex decision by delivering you a simple, delightful and comprehensive enrollment experience.

 

How is Senior Benefits Adviser different to other health insurance websites?

Senior Benefits Adviser is dedicated to delivering an end-to-end enrollment experience from research, evaluation to enrollment.  You can think of me as your free personal Medicare concierge service.

My goal is to be the only insurance site you need for enrolling in Medicare.  That means I:

  • Offer all the top insurance companies so you don’t have to shop elsewhere
  • Explain what you need to know in plain English so you don’t have to research elsewhere

There is no “one size fits all” Medicare solution and a plan may seem less expensive up front but end up costing you more in the long run.  At Senior Benefits Adviser, I partner with you to remove the guesswork so you have complete clarity and transparency. 

I combine state-of-the-art research tools with best-in-class knowledge of  Medicare to find you the coverage that best fits your individual needs.  You  connect with a licensed insurance agent that can answer your questions and walk through the best options based on your personal healthcare and budget.

 

Is your service free?

Yes, Senior Benefits Adviser services are 100% free and there is no obligation whatsoever to enroll in a plan.

I am committed to independent advice and am dedicated to providing unbiased insurance advice.  I will not try to upsell or steer you into a plan that does not suit your needs.

 

How does Senior Benefits Adviser make money? 

I get paid a commission by insurance companies for enrolling you in an insurance plan.   

But don’t worry: these commissions do not impact the price you receive or are quoted for different Medicare plans whether you purchase them through me or directly with an insurance company. This means you never pay extra to use our service.

I understand that commissions introduce a potential conflict of interest. But I avoid that conflict by:

  • Being transparent: I show you all quotes from a wide panel of insurance companies, so that you have full clarity on your options
  • Focusing on advice: I publish free resources on our blog to help you make smart decisions about health insurance.  I also focus on advice and customer service, not sales.
  • Being customer-first: one of our company values is to do the right thing for our customers. I am committed to never upselling or steering you into a plan that does not suit your needs and will happily let you know if your current plan is the best plan for your situation or if there is an insurance carrier we don’t represent who can better cover your needs.
Is it more expensive to buy insurance through Senior Benefits Adviser?

No, whether you enroll into a Medicare health insurance plan with us, with another agent/broker or directly from Insurance Company X, you cannot get a cheaper price for the same policy from Insurance Company X.  This is because each insurance company files their prices with the federal regulator, and everyone has to use those prices. It is illegal for us or anyone else to discount that price.

However, you can save money and make smart decisions by comparing insurance policies across the market (like Amazon).

 

Each company competes to offer you the best coverage and you as a consumer win.  I strive to offer all the top insurance companies, to make sure you get the best policy for you and save money.

 

Is Senior Benefits Adviser affiliated with any Insurance Carriers?

No, Senior Benefits Adviser is an independent insurance platform.  What that means is that I represent multiple insurance companies and have no bias to recommend one over another. 

I work with over 20 top-rated insurance companies across the country so you can be confident that you’re buying from a very reputable insurance company, and getting the best quotes. For me it’s important you find the right insurance policy for your needs. When insurance companies compete for your business, you win.

 

What types of health insurance do you sell?

At Senior Benefits Adviser, I am focused on Medicare-related plans.  I can help enroll you into a Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap (also known as ‘Medicare Supplement’) or Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). I will also help you determine whether staying in Original Medicare or enrolling in Medicare Advantage makes the most sense for you. 

If it is recommended you purchase a Medicare Advantage plan, I will check to make sure that your doctor preferences and prescription drugs are covered.  If it is recommended that you stay in Original Medicare, I will also help evaluate whether any Medigap or PDP plans are suitable for your situation.

 

Will Senior Benefits Adviser help make sure my drugs and doctors are covered?

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan and have specific doctors and prescription drugs that you must have our platform will be able to check if they are included in the plan.

If you are enrolling in a Medigap plan (and therefore enrolled in Original Medicare), you are able to use any doctor across the country that accepts Medicare.

If you are enrolling in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), I will always help check if the plan covers your prescription drugs.

 

Do I need to be enrolled in Medicare before I use Senior Benefits Adviser?

You are always free to use our research tools and platform before you enroll in Medicare.  Our friendly customer support team is always happy to help answer any of your questions.

In most cases, you will need to already be on Medicare and eligible to enroll or switch Medicare plans during a specified Medicare ‘Enrollment Period’ before I can help you purchase a Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Prescription Drug Plan.

If you need to enroll in Medicare you can enroll online by visiting: ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.

 

 

 

Medicare Questions

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal program that delivers health insurance for U.S. citizens (and permanent residents with more than 5 years continuous residency) who are age 65 and older as well as individuals with certain illnesses or disabilities.

Original (or ‘Traditional’) Medicare provided by the government helps to cover costs of hospitalization services (Medicare Part A) and physician services (Medicare Part B).  It does not cover prescription drugs (otherwise known as part D) or any other medical services.  While Original Medicare will help pay costs.  You are responsible for paying premiums, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance costs.

 

What is a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan?

Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) is Medicare coverage that is provided by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare. Medicare Part C is an all-in-one ‘bundled’ alternative to Original Medicare and covers everything that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers and often includes extra benefits as well such as prescription drugs coverage as well as dental, vision and hearing care.

 

I can help you determine if Medicare Advantage is a good option for you and if so, which plan may suit your situation.

 

What is a Medigap (or ‘Medicare Supplement’) Plan?

Medigap plans are insurance that help to cover the ‘gaps’ in Original Medicare. In other words, Medigap plans help to pay for the out of pocket costs such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance that you are responsible for under Original Medicare.  Medigap can only be used with an Original Medicare plan and does not cover prescription drug cost (Part D) or any extra benefits. 

 

There are 10 different standardized Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N) depending on your needs and budget.  When comparing the same Medigap plan across different private health insurance companies your only differentiation is the premium and the insurer’s reputation. 

I can help you determine if Medigap is a good option for you and if so, which plan may suit your situation.

 

What is a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)?

Medicare Part D plans refers to prescription drug coverage.

A Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) is standalone prescription drug insurance policy provided by private insurance companies.  Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, however, by purchasing a PDP you may lower your prescription drug costs and protect yourself against higher costs.

 

You can also receive Part D coverage if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan which includes Part D.  an all-in-one ‘bundled’ alternative to Original Medicare and covers everything that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers and often includes extra benefits as well such as prescription drugs coverage as well as dental, vision and hearing care.

I can help you find the most affordable Part D coverage for your prescription drugs.

 

What should I consider before choosing a Medicare plan?

When evaluating Medicare plans, you should look consider the following:

  • Doctor coverage – whether a plan covers your doctor(s)
  • Prescription drug coverage – whether a plan has prescription drug coverage and if that your drugs are included in that plan’s list of ‘covered’ drugs (also called a ‘drug formulary’).  Formularies differ between different plans so it’s essential to check if the plan covers prescription drugs, and if so, which drugs
  • Total out of pocket costs – In addition to your monthly premium, you should also evaluate other out-of-pocket costs like the deductible, copays, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket amounts before selecting your health insurance plan
  • Additional benefits – many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits for their members that are not covered by Original Medicare. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans include free memberships to gyms. Other plans provide services such as virtual doctor visits or even making an appointment online

I can help you to make sure all the above considerations are reviewed before you enroll in a plan.

 

When can I enroll in Medicare?

You can enroll in Medicare during one of these periods:

 

  • Initial Enrollment Period – Most people can first enroll in Medicare (Part A, B, C and D) during a 7-month window: 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after the month you turn 65

 

  • Medicare Part C & D Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) – between October 15 and December 7 every year, existing Medicare beneficiaries can use this period to re-evaluate and make changes to their Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D). You cannot use AEP to enroll in Part A and/or Part B for the first time.  If you enroll in a plan during AEP, coverage starts on January 1 of the following year.

 

  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – You may qualify for a special period the enroll in Medicare based on certain life events such as you change residence or lose current coverage.  Depending on your circumstance, you generally will have two full months to enroll.

 

  • Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) – January 1 to March 31, every year. Most people will enroll in Medicare Part B coverage when they first sign up for Medicare. GEP is reserved for individuals who chose not to enroll in Part B when they were first eligible. Coverage starts July 1 of the same year.

 

  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) – January 1 to March 31, every year. MA-OEP is only for people who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1.  During MA-OEP, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, or switch back to Original Medicare and also join a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug plan.  You cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during this period.
 
How can I enroll in Original Medicare?

If you are turning 65 and have already been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits for at least 4 months prior to your 65th birthday, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare.

If this does not apply, you can sign up to Original Medicare using one of these options: