Alan "AL" Minthorn, Medicare Insurance Broker
Alan "AL" Minthorn
Maine Senior Insurance LLC
Medicare Broker Licensed in ME, FL, GA, NC and NH
17+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Saco, ME
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Phone
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Website
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Alan "AL" Can Help With:
About Me
I bring 33 years experience including 16 years specializing in the senior market, 12 years as a senior insurance broker. I am appointed, certified, and licensed with carriers in Maine & New Hampshire, And most national carriers in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Active State and Federal Legislative and Administrative advocacy in senior insurance issues. Member of NABIP Maine, our industry’s premier advocacy organization.
Q&A with Alan "AL" Minthorn
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: My best advice would be talk to your fellow senior neighbors and identify a good local agent/broker representing most or all available insurance companies. Call centers and carrier agents are often hundreds of miles away and do not understand local providers, nor hear issues customers have with one plan over another in your backyard.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: Most common misconception about Medicare - they cover everything! Know your A, B, C, and Ds of Medicare.
Is Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage better? Why do you recommend one over the other?
Answer: For about 90% of customers in markets with a minimum of a dozen advantage plans, they’ll be fine on these products. In more rural markets, those with high maintenance chronic conditions, or those living in three more locations yearly - a Med Supp may be a better choice.
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
Answer: If you are still working, have creditable employer health and prescription insurance, meaning it is as least as good as Medicare (HR should know this), then enroll in Medicare Part A ONLY. It has zero cost, provided you've worked 10 years and paid into Medicare.
Approx. 3 months before you are ready to retire and selected an end date of employment (end of month is easier), enroll in Medicare Part B (for 1st of month following this end date). After receiving your revised Medicare Card showing Part A & B dates, have a local agent assist in educating and selecting the appropriate plan(s) to begin without a gap in coverage.