Why you may need a Medicare insurance agent and how to find one

If you’re new to Medicare, check out our Medicare 101, Understanding your Medicare Options and Finding the Right Medicare Plan for You articles. During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—October 15 through December 7—you may find yourself in need of an insurance agent who can help you understand your options and determine the right plan for your health needs. We’ve got tips on understanding the different types of agents, how to search for one and what the benefits are of working with an agent. Let’s get started.

During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) (Oct. 15–Dec. 7), working with the right insurance agent can help you explore your healthcare options and find a plan that best fits your needs. We’ll walk you through the types of agents, how to find one and why working with an agent can be a smart move.

Also, if you’re new to Medicare, check out our Medicare 101, Understanding your Medicare options and Finding the right Medicare plan for you articles.

Understanding the different types of agents

There are several different types of insurance agents you might consider to help you during AEP.

• Carrier agent: A carrier agent sells plans for only one insurance company, such as Humana*, in a specific geographic region around them.

• Independent agent: An independent agent works for themselves or an independent insurance brokerage. They work with multiple insurance providers in their area so they can compare different plans.

• Third-party call-center agents: Third-party call-center agents discuss your health care options with you over the phone. They work with companies that offer plans from lots of different insurance providers across many areas.

If you’re someone who likes to develop a personal relationship with your agent, you might find you like a carrier or independent agent best. These agents get to know you and your story, which could help during customer service. They also typically live in your area, so they understand your local community.

If you’re someone who likes to have a lot of options to choose from, you might consider an independent or third-party call-center agent who can compare plans from multiple insurance companies.

If you don’t need help using your insurance plan and you feel good about navigating the system on your own, you might consider using a third-party call center.

What to look for in an agent

Picking the right healthcare plan can help you stay on top of your health. And finding the right agent, who provides the support and service you want, makes choosing that plan easier. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing an agent:

• Do you want someone who is more relationship-based, whom you can call whenever you need help?
• Or would you prefer a more hands-off approach with a call once or twice a year?
• Do you need extra support to understand your benefits, with someone to walk you through different programs?
• Or do you prefer to figure it out on your own?
• Do you want someone who can help connect you to resources in your community, or would you rather do that yourself?

Knowing what you’re looking for in an agent can make it easier to find the right one. Ask agents how they communicate and work with clients to see if it feels like a good fit.

How to find an insurance agent

Get recommendations from people you know

Word of mouth is a helpful way to find an agent. Ask your friends and family if they’ve worked with any Medicare insurance agents and what their experiences were like. Ask for the agent’s contact info to set up an appointment.

Check out agents online

You can use the internet. Use a search engine or social media, like Facebook, to research agents. If an agent has a website or a Facebook business page, be sure to click through to learn more about them and the services they offer. Agents are under strict rules regarding when and how they can reach out to you, so it’s best for you to call or email them if you are interested in working with them.

Benefits of working with an agent

1. Helps you choose a plan that fits your budget
   An insurance agent can help can help you narrow down your search for the right plan for your healthcare needs at a price you can afford. They will help you look at the monthly premium costs but also your copay, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs per year. This could be especially important when it comes to your prescription drug coverage. An agent may be able to help you find a plan that fits your budget, not just the premiums and copays, and everything in between.
2. Breaks down your benefits and shows how to use them
   An insurance agent can help you understand your plan benefits and how to make the most of them. For example, some Humana Medicare Advantage plans include a monthly or quarterly over-the-counter allowance to help you purchase covered vitamins, non-prescription medicines, supplements and medical equipment. Explore plans that could include other fitness and wellness benefits like a SilverSneakersÒ membership, dental or vision coverage, transportation services and some plans may have a monthly allowance to use on eligible groceries† (benefits vary by plan and area).‡
3. Connect you to local resources and extra support
   Finally, your agent may also be able to point you to helpful services in your community—like meal programs, rides to appointments or social activities. They may also be able to help you figure out if you’re eligible for additional government services from Social Security, the Food and Drug Administration or Medicaid.
4. Makes it easier to find in-network providers
   An agent can help you see which doctors and clinics are on your plan and help you find one that fits your needs. For example, if you want a doctor who can speak a certain language or has a particular specialty, your agent can use the Humana’s Find Care tool with Care Highlight^® ratings to narrow your search. They’ll also help you find top-rated doctors who offer the highest quality and cost effectiveness in your area.

Find a partner in your health

Most insurance agents care about helping you navigate the healthcare system. They want to help you live a happy, healthy life by getting you in a plan that fits your specific needs. Because they help people like you day in and day out, they can be a great resource during AEP and all year long.

Wondering how to prepare for a meeting with a sales agent?  Read this article.