Here's What You SHOULD Look For When Working With an Agent for Medicare

[@rickydeanlovett]

As someone turning 65 in January 2024 you made this MUCH EASIER & appreciate the information!!

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad it was helpful!!

[@cynthiaowens9107]

Great & understandable information…Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!!

[@Stilllookingood58]

I have been conversing with your partner Charley and we are finally going to chat about my situation. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@Theretirementnerds]

That is so great! Charley and his team are fantastic! Thank you for following along, and I definitely remember and know you! Appreciate you!

[@teams3345]

I am still two years away from eligibility. I know a lot can change but I still watch to keep abreast of any new news. Thanks much.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching! Yes... Lots of changes already announced for 2024 and 2025... we'll see what it all looks like in 2025.

[@davidfolts5893]

Having help with complex Medicare insurance decisions, is the ultimate value add. Thank you, 90 Days to Retirement!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching David!

[@kayneill-et8xi]

Is someone able to change agents after they are using one?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Yes, you can change agents anytime

[@mattt4025]

Are you licensed in California?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hi Matt, I'm not personally, but I have partners who are. Happy to help however I can. [e-mail] is my email.

[@debford2697]

Great timing for me on this video. Excellent information. This is definitely a subject that gets confusing fast. (at least for me) thanks again

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!!

[@AnnetteBarca]

I like your presentations. However, I think there is one major resource that you overlooked or plain ignored That is the SHIP volunteers trained under the various state insurance commissioners offices. CMS oversees their training and also provides ongoing training.

[@Theretirementnerds]

100%! We have a video coming out soon that will go over resources like Medicare.gov and SHIP. Thank you for adding this!

[@karendodson3686]

This was very informative. Thanks and I’ll be signing up for the news letter and checking out your website!

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you Karen!

[@j.johnson2270]

I turned 65 in May 2023, signed up for Medicare Part A. I teach at a large college. Didn’t teach Summer Quarter, and won’t teach Fall Quarter. I’m covered by college insurance through December 31, 2024. When do I need to sign up for part B, then Plans G and D? (I don’t want an advantage plan.) Thank you for any info.

[@Theretirementnerds]

We recommend starting the process 90 days before you need Medicare to start, so that puts you at 90 days before January 1, 2025, if you lose coverage December 31, 2024. You'll get Part B in place. Once you have A & B in place, you can get a supplement and Part D plan set before January 1st, and you or your agent will set those to start on 1/1/25. Hope that helps!

[@shelteredsparrow2736]

These are really helpful. My husband is on Medicare Advantage. The person that put him on it came to us highly recommended. I have been really nervous because we can’t switch to Medigap. I have a friend who is on Medicare Advantage and absolutely loves it. Unfortunately money has been really tight but we don’t qualify for Medicaid. I l will turn Medicare age next year so I am really studying this out. Your videos are helpful.

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad to hear they are helpful! Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts! Advantage plans get a lot of press. If you have the right plan with the right company, they can be wonderful.

[@ioanstokowski1647]

Cute elephant. I planted a holiday cactus in an elephant planter and it looks amazing when it's covered in blooms! Of course the video and info are much appreciated, too 😊

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! Love the elephant :) Appreciate you watching and sharing such a nice comment!

[@jamesmiller2317]

Thanks for the videos. Are "ACA" plans state or zip code specific?

[@Theretirementnerds]

State-specific 🙂

[@tomm7505]

Thanks Erik, very informative, as usual.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! Appreciate you!

[@tomm7505]

@@Theretirementnerds Erik, does your office handle supplement plans in Texas? I'll be turning 65 in April 2024 and want to work with an agent.

[@Theretirementnerds]

@tomm7505 Hi Tom, yes, we can help with Texas. I'm not licensed there personally, but I have partners who are. [e-mail] Include your zip code and I can connect you over email.

[@Greenlight2417]

Are you licensed in North Carolina?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hi Onrea, I'm not personally, but I have a partner who is. Happy to help however we can. [e-mail] is my email

[@johnurban7333]

I actually called Medicare and asked them about agents. They said they will tell you about ones they make the most money from.

[@masterlee4370]

So the girl that handles our insurance calls me and says she needs to know if I signed up or when am i signing up for Medicare. I was like girl why are you asking me that, I don't even look my age. She says BCBS sent her a letter. I told her to tell BCBS what they could do with that letter. I then said I want human resources because she was harassing me. She started laughing and said I am human resources. Honestly I then just told her not sure yet, but I do follow your site and have learned a lot. But still just trying to accept it is inevitable and eventually I will need to do something. So I told her once I do make the guided decision she will be first to know. Now I am thinking maybe I will just move to Utah.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Haha, Utah is a wonderful place :) Lots of people out there who can help. We'll need to make an introduction to your HR person! We work A LOT with employer groups and their HR teams to help with their employees considering retirement. Outside of referrals from past clients, this is where the majority of our business comes from. Just so you know, I do have a partner licensed in your state. He is much smarter than I am and a great human, so if you ever need help around specifics in your state, he's an option. Appreciate you my friend!

[@douglasjensen8986]

Hi Erik. I watched this in preparation for speaking with your Massachusetts partner. Can you please send me his contact information? I am also emailing you with that request. Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Got your email! I check email more frequently than YT comments ☺️

[@doriecd7198]

Are you Licensed in Massachusetts's ?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hi Dorie, I'm not personally, but I have a partner who is. Happy to introduce you if you want to send me an email to [e-mail] with your zip code.

[@silver6054]

Re random letters from local agents. As you said, you would hope they know the local environment. Yesterday I got one that started "I must be the only [science subject I don't recall] graduate from Yale who does [medicare stuff]" The person, like me, is located in MA. The letter talked about Plan G and Plan N which is fine except MA is one of the three states that don't have these plans. So this presumably means te fact he was local was pure chance and he is looking for national clients. Since the intro was stupid and he wasn't even smart enough to do state customization, I will give it a miss!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Smart! And yes, national people can buy those same lists... 😐

[@nicnac-n1o]

Would appreciate an answer. Am 66, Federal Employee and have FEHB ( health insurance). Have Medicare part A only. Will retire next year, and will keep FEHB, but will not signup for part B. Heard you say that Medicare part B is primary payer, and other insurance is secondary payer after 65; and that after 65 secondary insurance could refuse to pay health costs since they could say that in the absence of Medicare part B, individual would be considered primary payer. Is this correct, did I understand you well?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Yeah, so while working, no need to get Part B. Once you stop working (retire) you can keep your FEHB, but picking up Part B is usually the recommendation. Medicare will be primary payer. FEHB will be secondary.

[@nicnac-n1o]

@@Theretirementnerds That much I understand. The question, though, is could secondary insurance refuse to pay health costs in the absence of Medicare part B, pushing costs to and pointing to individual as primary payer.

[@Theretirementnerds]

@user-vg1by7wz7b so the primary vs secondary payer rule you're referring to from previous videos applies to employer groups with fewer than 20 employees. In your case with FEHB, it is different. If you choose not to take Part B, your FEHB benefits are primary for what would be Part B charges and secondary for Part A charges since you have Part A. Depending on your FEHB plan, you could be tied to a tighter network and, should you ever want Part B in the future, you could have a penalty for declining during your Initial Enrollment Period or special election period, but I assume you're aware of that, just weighing whether or not to take B or opt out and just rely on FEHB benefits for medical coverage. Does that help?

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

Thank you for the Medicare information

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching Eddie!

[@bruceborchardt3166]

Met with a agent. they went right to medicare advantage plan. no info or comparing other plans. i have learned from your video's that's not what i want.

[@Theretirementnerds]

That's unfortunate to hear. Especially if in that conversation you expressed interest in supplement plans. Our philosophy is education and service, not pushing one way or another. If you have trouble finding an agent, happy to help in any way we can.

[@johnkenney7217]

Hi, what is your opinion on using an agent licensed in your state but not resident in your state?

[@Theretirementnerds]

If they know your state well, and they offer both Advantage and Supplement, we know a lot of agencies out there who do great this way. As an example, we have agents who cover a handful of states, as in 2 - 4, and they spend their time being over-the-top knowledgeable about the few states they take on. They know hospital systems, the smaller local insurance companies, and state-specific regulations. Obviously, we're biased to that model because it's what we and our partners do. If it's 1 person trying to tackle all 50 states... that gets pretty difficult to really know state-specifics when it comes to plans available. It's not impossible, but it is more difficult. Does that make sense?

[@johnkenney7217]

Yes, makes sense, thanks.@@Theretirementnerds

[@johnkenney7217]

What would it signify, if anything, that the agent in question is licensed in my state, but the state Insurance website shows that they represent (only) 2 insurance companies ("licensee is authorized to transact on behalf of the following insurers:") Would they only receive a commission from those two insurers? Other considerations?.@@Theretirementnerds