Charles Hicks, Medicare Insurance Broker
Charles Hicks
Charles Hicks Retirement Solutions
Medicare Broker Licensed in CT and NY
Contact Details
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Location
Sandy Hook, CT
About Me
Retirement and Medicare planning can be confusing and overwhelming. My goal is to simplify the process and help coordinate these important decisions so you can feel confident about your future.
I work with individuals and couples to navigate Medicare while also looking at the bigger picture; retirement income, healthcare costs, and long-term planning. I believe in taking the time to educate, answer questions, and create a plan tailored to your goals.
My approach is simple: provide clear guidance, thoughtful planning, and ongoing support so you can enjoy retirement with peace of mind.
Q&A with Charles Hicks
How do Medicare brokers get paid, and does it affect the plan they recommend?
Answer: Medicare brokers are paid by the insurance companies when they help you enroll. If the broker is following your best interest it should not impact their recommendation. Things to look out for are brokers that do not take into account your prescriptions and doctors, or offer a certain plan regardless of the information you provide regarding your specific needs. Some brokers are captive which means they are only able to offer plans from the company they represent.
I exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Does Medicare offer any incentives or additional benefits for preventive health behaviors?
Answer: Medicare definitely supports preventive health, though it doesn’t offer direct incentives like lower premiums for going to the gym. Original Medicare covers many important preventive services at no additional cost, including annual wellness visits, screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies, diabetes screenings, cardiovascular screenings, flu shots, and other vaccines when medically appropriate.
If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, many provide gym membership options through programs like SilverSneakers, transportation assistance, over-the-counter allowances, nutrition support, and wellness programs designed to encourage healthy living. Some plans do include fitness tracking programs or incentives for completing certain health activities.
The key is making sure your lifestyle is taken into consideration when choosing your plan and not just your prescriptions and doctors, but also the way you want to stay healthy long term.
Don't you think Medicare's technology systems are outdated and inefficient?
Answer: I don’t disagree, there are many systems that could use some fine-tuning. That being said many of today’s plans have quality online tools, applications and support. I actually utilize those with many of my clients to make things easier.