Free guidance from the David Berkley Insurance Group team is just the start
By Mimi Vanderhaven
When it comes to choosing a Medicare plan, you don’t have to settle for less.
Although right about now, you might be feeling like you’re getting way more than you need, in the form of phone calls, emails and direct mail pieces pitching different options. It can be confusing, and overwhelming, says Patrick Althof, part owner at David Berkley Insurance Group. Insurance agents Mark Odabashian and Mitch Zofka round out the ownership team.
“Annual enrollment for Medicare runs from Friday, October 15, until Monday, December 7,” says Mark. “During this time, people enrolled in Medicare can make plan changes, make adjustments to certain coverages—like prescription coverage—or enroll in different supplemental plans.”
Getting an idea early about what your plan will look like in the coming year is a good idea, Mitch suggests. “If you’re on Medicare now, you’ve probably received your Annual Notice of Change,” he explains. “Most people tend to just toss them out, and never open them. By not taking the time to review your Medicare standing in the coming year, you could really be missing out.”
“Most plans change in some way each year,” Patrick explains. “It’s not always a drastic change, but there typically are some differences. Those little incidental changes could mean a lot if you don’t understand how they’re going to impact you. That’s why it’s important to have an insurance agent who spends his or her time reviewing all of the options throughout the year guide you.”
When you work with an agent from David Berkley Insurance Group, you’re working with a seasoned professional who understands not only how Medicare works, but also how you can best make it work for you.
“When it comes to Medicare, nobody wants any surprises,” Mitch cautions, noting that some people call in a panic when they get new insurance cards in the mail for a plan they didn’t sign up for. “If you do nothing, Medicare will decide for you that you’re going to stay in your current plan, no matter what form it takes in the coming year.”
You can schedule a free Medicare review with Patrick, Mark or Mitch anytime. “We can explain to you what your plan and other plans will look like starting Thursday, October 1. You can start making changes on October 15,” Mark says. “That’s why now is a perfect time to find out what’s coming down the pipeline for 2021.”
Outside of current Medicare enrollees, if you’re turning 65 this year, you leave your job, or you have a qualifying event, you can make changes to your Medicare plan anytime.
Patrick says this coming year is the year of getting more. “Insurance companies continue to up the ante in regard to plan offerings,” he notes. “There are so many more benefits that have been added for 2021, it’s imperative that everyone who qualifies for Medicare get a free review.”
“Medicare Advantage plans are very competitive right now,” Mitch reveals. “Carriers are including lots of extras, like fitness memberships, dental and vision coverage, OTC medication credits, travel benefits, home delivery for meals, home health care, home health aid services and more. If your plan doesn’t have any of these items, you might want to consider a review.”
“Now is the time to find out if there’s a better option available to you. You might even be able to get more and spend less. Just give us a call to set up a convenient time for a review. It won’t cost you a thing and it can eliminate a lot of stress,” Mark states.
Patrick brings up one carrier of note, Devoted Health. “We’re excited about this carrier because of its consumer-centered model,” he says. “The idea is that doctors and hospitals are rewarded based on the health of their patients. They’re incentivized to keep people healthy, instead of dependent on medications and doctors’ visits.”
The Devoted Health wellness model, the team says, creates better relationships between doctors and patients, and the plan doesn’t cost more money. “People want to have their doctor actually care about them,” Patrick states. “On this plan, that happens.”
But it’s important to note there are a lot of options available, and the plan you end up with ultimately has to be the best fit for you. The David Berkley team offers client-centric guidance.
“We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions to our clients, and we’re not beholden to any one company, which means our guidance is always in our clients’ best interests. Offering our services at no charge is just another way we can give people more, for less,” Mitch says.
David Berkley Insurance Group is located at 3705 Medina Road, Suite B, in Medina. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and other times by appointment. A second location is at 28715 Center Ridge Road, in Westlake. The phone number for both locations is 330-241-4208. The web address is DBInsuranceGroup.com. Clients are welcome to schedule a time to meet with the team in the office, but phone appointments and Zoom appointments are an easy alternative.