Giselle Donval, Medicare Insurance Broker

About Me

Hello, I’m Giselle! A local independent Medicare and insurance broker based in Maryland, with a background in nursing who believes that understanding your health and insurance coverage should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

While I’m based in Montgomery County and proudly serve clients throughout Gaithersburg, Rockville, Montgomery Village, Clarksburg, and surrounding communities, I’m licensed in multiple states and work with clients across a growing multi-state service area. Whether you’re turning 65 and new to Medicare, reviewing your current coverage, or simply trying to better understand your options, I’m here to make the process easier.

Throughout my career in healthcare and the insurance industry, I’ve had the privilege of helping individuals and families navigate important decisions about their health, protection, and financial security. From Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Part D prescription drug coverage to health insurance, life insurance, and supplemental coverage, one thing has always been clear: insurance is never one-size-fits-all. Every person, every family, and every stage of life deserves thoughtful guidance and solutions tailored to their unique needs.

As an independent broker, I work for you — not a single insurance company. That independence allows me to help you compare available options while providing clear education and long-term support built on trust.

If you ever have questions about Medicare or your insurance coverage, or simply want a second opinion, I would be honored to connect and help you explore your options — because true peace of mind begins with understanding the protection you have in place.

Get in touch with Giselle using this form

Q&A with Giselle Donval

How do the Medicare Advantage plan call centers get my number? How can I stop them from calling me?

Answer: The best thing to say to these call centers in my experience is “remove me from and your call list immediately, and you do not have permission to contact this number again”. They usually obtain your phone number from various sources. Sometimes online or other places your phone number may be listed.

Are Medicare Advantage plans really "free," or is that just clever marketing?

Answer: Clever but deceptive marketing. While many Advantage plans have a $0 per month premium, the plans do come with other copays as services are used. Advantage plans are “pay as you go” plans. Many times, the copay for a covered service is much much lower than if you were just paying completely out of pocket. But no plan is completely free. There are costs associated with Advantage plans.

What is the biggest coverage gap most people don't know about with a Medicare Advantage plan?

Answer: One of the biggest gaps I see people overlook with Medicare Advantage plans is their out-of-pocket responsibility when something serious happens, especially a hospital stay or a cancer diagnosis.

Many plans may have daily hospital copays that can add up quickly, and certain cancer treatments and other Part B services may have coinsurance that can be as high as 20%. This is why I always encourage my clients to look beyond just the monthly premium and routine copays and understand what their costs could look like during a major health event.

Depending on the plan and the individual's needs, supplemental coverage such as hospital indemnity or cancer coverage may be worth considering to help protect against some of those unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?

Answer: Working with someone near you allows your agent to visit you and conduct the appointment in person if you prefer. In-person enrollments establish a deeper relationship and understanding. It is personally my favorite way to conduct an appointment for the best overall experience.

What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?

Answer: Real connection and communication with a live person. Someone who won’t disappear after you’re enrolled. You will have someone who cares who reviews your coverage every year to ensure you’re still in the best plan. There are many wonderful reasons to have a Medicare agent. But the most important reason is having that real human interaction and relationship, that you just can’t get with the call centers.

What's the most important question I should be asking about Medicare that I probably haven't thought of yet?

Answer: You should be asking about what matters most to you when it comes to your coverage. Be it affordability, ability to see providers, benefits you’re most interested in, etc. Sharing your most important quality about the coverage you’re looking for helps us agents tailor your experience to you, and greatly increases your chances of being completely satisfied with your coverage choice.