The licensed insurance agents at HealthMarkets are here for you, ready to meet with you to discuss your individual situation

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Licensed insurance agents (L-R): Laura Weible, George Halle and Marisella Rios-Weible. (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Beth Newcomb

If you’re on Medicare, the best word to describe your status in September might have been, “bombarded.” You probably received a huge influx of telephone calls, mail and email about your Medicare options for the Annual Election Period, happening Friday, October 15 until Tuesday, December 7. Turn on the television and your favorite and not-so-favorite former football players are there, smiling and encouraging you to call the number on your screen. It can be overwhelming.

“I get calls from people all of the time confused about what to do or telling me they responded to a solicitation and ended up in a Medicare plan they know nothing about,” says Marisella Rios-Weible, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, who shares the local agent-in-the-know spotlight with her daughter, Laura Weible, and seasoned pro George Halle. “It can be a challenge to not only understand the options available to you, but also feel confident about the choice you make.”

Everyone on Medicare either continues with their current plan into the next election period or makes the switch to a plan that better meets their changing needs. And if you’re a new 65 or you’ll be turning 65 in the next three months, you’ll be choosing a Medicare plan for the first time.

Wherever you fall on the Medicare spectrum, you may be feeling unsure about which plan is best for you.

“No two people have identical situations,” George states. “You have your own health concerns, doctors you prefer, medications you take and extras you need that are specific to you. So, your Medicare plan choice will likely be different than that of, say, your neighbor or spouse.”

In Your Corner
The licensed insurance agents at HealthMarkets are here for you, ready to meet with you to discuss your individual situation.

“We’re here every day, all day, often in the evenings and on weekends to answer questions. And there’s no charge for our guidance,” says Laura. “Our focus is on getting to know you personally. We want to get as much information as possible about you so that when we present your Medicare options to you, you’ll feel confident that you’re making an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.”

“It’s not a requirement to meet with one of us, but why wouldn’t you take advantage of our free guidance?” George asks. “We are local agents who spend hours reviewing all of the changes to Medicare plans and are licensed each year, so instead of having to dig through a pile of information trying to decide if your plan has changed for the better or worse, or if there is another plan out there that might be better suited to your current situation, you can sit down with one of us and have that answer in about 30 minutes or less. It’s probably the smartest half-hour investment you’ll make.”

“We cut through the clutter and confusion and provide sound guidance,” Laura notes. “For us it’s about helping people choose what they need, not selling anything.”

The Competition is Fierce
Medicare plan providers want your business. It’s that simple. That’s why September was, well, intense. And because they’re competing against each other, carriers are trying to one-up the other guy by sweetening the Medicare pot.

“We’re seeing plans with more benefits added,” Marisella shares. “It makes sense to review your options to find out if you could be getting more in your Medicare plan, without paying more.”

Every year there are carrier changes, whether new Medicare providers enter the market or existing carriers change their plans. So, the plan you had last year could be different this year, or a different plan may be of benefit.

“People don’t like to leave their comfort zone,” George relates. “But Medicare is one area where making a change could be the right option. A review can reveal a lot.”

Their Guidance is Free
Because HealthMarkets agents aren’t captive, meaning they don’t work for a particular insurance carrier, they direct their efforts toward clients, helping them to navigate the sometimes-baffling waters of Medicare. And the cost for a one-on-one review and their guidance? Nothing. All time spent with the HealthMarkets agent of your choice is absolutely free, whether you contact them during open enrollment or you have questions that need to be answered once your plan has been selected.

The Parma and North Royalton team takes a special interest in helping low-income people access the healthcare information they need.

HealthMarkets is located 5925 Ridge Road, Suite 2, in Parma. A second office is in North Royalton, at 5740 Royalwood Road, Suite A. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. To get started with your free review, call one of the agents listed below:

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Agents may be compensated based on enrollment. No obligation to enroll. 48028-HM-1021
Categories: Westside Professional Services