Krissy Tenhagen, Medicare Insurance Agent


About Me

Licensed Medicare Broker in Western New York — The One Who Actually Picks Up the Phone

Hi, I'm Krissy. I'm an independent, licensed Medicare broker serving Medicare beneficiaries across New York State — and if you've ever felt like Medicare was designed to confuse you, you're not crazy. It kind of is. That's exactly why I do this work the way I do.

I'm not a 1-800 number. I'm not a call center. I'm the person who sits with you, walks you through your Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options in plain English, and then actually answers when you call me a year later because your pharmacy changed your copay and you want to know why.

Here's what makes working with me different:

Many Medicare brokers will hand you several different plan books and call it a day. I treat your Medicare decision like what it actually is — a life-impacting choice that affects your doctors, your prescriptions, your budget, and your peace of mind for the entire year ahead. I'm a broker who keeps showing up after the enrollment is signed.

Who I help:

- Turning 65 and/or retiring & enrolling in Medicare for the first time

- Already have Part A & need to sign up for Part B

- Annual Review during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7)

- Want to compare Part D drug plans (especially Tier 3 drugs) & reduce costs

- Anyone who just feels lost and wants someone honest to explain Medicare

- Help with Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help, EPIC, and dual plans

What You Can Expect From Me:

- A real conversation — kitchen table, phone, or video, your choice

- A side-by-side comparison of the plans that actually fit your doctors, prescriptions, & budget

- Zero pressure. Ever.

- Year round support

Ready to talk? No pressure, no sales pitch — just a real conversation about your Medicare options.

#Medicare Advantage #Medicare Supplement #Medigap #Part D #Turning 65 #New to Medicare #Medicare broker near me #Medicarehelp #medicare agency near me #Medicare enrollment assistance

Get in touch with Krissy using this form

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My Google Reviews

22 Total Reviews   (5.0 )

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Robert Phillips
February 19, 2026

My parents were worth their one insurance company for multiple years for their Medicare coverage, however after multiple changes we knew that we needed to look at other options.. We met with Krissy after meeting with my parents insurance company prior to open enrollment for a second opinion on other possible insurance plan. Krissy was phenomenal and took the time to go through the medication lists and providers for not only my father, but also my mother who has a lot of complex needs. Krissy was able to compare plans and copays based on my parents individual needs and also helped explain medication coverage through EPIC for my father who we discovered was not enrolled even though he was on Medicare for multiple years. The care in time taken for both of my parents was excellent and we did not feel rushed with the multiple questions that we had, and even through enrollment and after enrollment we had updates and contact with Krissy about if we had questions or if there was anything we needed. I definitely recommend this agency to compare insurance policies for anyone looking for Medicare coverage or caregivers who are helping their parents or family find or change coverage.

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anthony
December 7, 2025

Krissy was well informed and helpful.Answered questions and asked questions too.felt good afterwards. She was very nice. Even if she was from N.J.ha ha

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Jane Oles
December 1, 2025

Krissy was always quick to respond from the first time that I had reached out for my dad. She was readily available for questions and went the extra mile to be sure we had all the information and understanding to choose the plan that best suited his needs. Thank you Krissy!

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rodney
November 19, 2025

It was a pleasure to work with Krissy. She was very knowledgeable and took her time to explain and answer all of our questions and concerns.

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Peggy Swanz
November 8, 2025

Krissy was not only very knowledgeable in answering all our questions regarding a new plan, she made you feel like you were very important as a potential client, and she was very easy to communicate with. Was a very good experience for both me and my partner thank you Krissy

Q&A with Krissy Tenhagen

Are Medicare Advantage plans guaranteed issue?

Answer: Medicare Advantage plans are guaranteed issue, meaning you cannot be denied coverage or pay more for your plan based on preexisting conditions, recent diagnosis or your current health condition. However, you can only enroll in plans within your service area, have Medicare Part A and B, and enroll during valid enrollment periods.

If you're concerned about managing costs during a health crisis or illness, here are some things to consider when selecting a Medicare Advantage Plan:

- look for a lower maximum out of pocket amount. This can help reduce costs for medical services that use original Medicare billing such as radiation, chemotherapy, and infusions.

- understand what services you will use or need most frequently and estimate how many visits you may need in a plan year. Then, compare copays from different plans.

- ensure that all of your providers are in network and your prescriptions are on the plan's formulary.

- $0 premium plans might not always be the best option. Plans with a premium may have lower copays for services you use the most, saving you money even with paying a monthly premium.

An experienced broker who knows your area's network of providers and plans can guide you through finding the right plan for you.

What are the red flags I should look for when interviewing agents? I want to make sure I'm not just getting sold to but genuinely advised.

Answer: This is a common question, so here's a short video of what to look for and avoid.

Medicare Broker: Key Factors for Choosing Wisely on YouTube.

I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?

Answer: If you don't have employer coverage and you plan on enrolling in Medicare, the first thing you'll want to do is enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. This is done through the Social Security Administration. You can enroll online (the quickest way) or by phone or in-person appointment at your local SS branch. To enroll online, you'll need to have a login.gov or id.me account, so if you don't already have one, you can create one. You can do that here: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ You'll need a mobile phone that has a valid email address you can access as well as receive sms messages to set up your account for the first time as they verify your identity using your phone's camera (does not work using a pre-paid phone). Once you have your account set up, go to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and click the first box "Sign up for Medicare".

Will Medicare cover my recovery after surgery?

Answer: What Medicare covers after surgery depends on the specific recovery you're in need of and the type of Medicare coverage you have (original Medicare, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage). Medicare does cover skilled nursing facilities, therapies like physical therapy, durable medical equipment, and even some home care (as long as it's medically necessary). Out-of-pocket costs will vary as well based on the type of Medicare coverage you have.

How can I use Medicare to cover occupational therapy for arthritis or mobility issues, and what are the limits?

Answer: Coverage for occupational therapy services is usually covered, but there are several variables to consider.

1. The type of Medicare coverage you have.

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan. This determines the amount of coverage offered, copays or cost share amounts, if prior auth is required, and the practice/location options available to you.

2. Where the occupational therapy is administered.

It can be administered as inpatient (such as a skilled nursing facility or hospital), outpatient (such as a rehab facility or Dr.'s office), in-home, or telehealth. This dictates the frequency of sessions and how it will be billed.

3. Out-of-pocket Costs.

Medical deductibles, copays, or cost sharing per visit, and any limitations on the number of visits you are covered for, all factor into costs.

Last but not least.... The occupational therapy must be deemed medically necessary by your doctor.

Always review your plan's Evidence of Coverage to review the specific coverage you may have, limitations, and costs.

Can I keep seeing my current doctors if I switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, or do I have to find new ones?

Answer: If your doctor is in network with the carrier and plan you enroll in, you can still see your current doctors. If the plan is an HMO, your doctor must be in network in order to be covered by the plan. If they are not, you would need to seek another provider.

If the plan a PPO or HMO-POS, the plan MAY allow out-of-network coverage. However, you will want to know about any out-of-network limitations, higher copays and cost-share costs (if any), and how you will be billed.

Before you select a MA plan and enroll:

- know what carriers and plans each of your doctors participates with BEFORE you enroll.

- Ensure all of your medications are on the formulary of selected plan

- Ensure your other healthcare services and needs are covered like labs, any therapies, pharmacy, and hospitals.

Working with a caring, knowledgeable Medicare broker will ensure these questions and more are thoroughly reviewed for you. However, if you'd rather attempt finding a plan on your own, it's recommended you explore your plan options and coverage on medicare.gov.

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

Answer: Consider a Medicare agent as your health insurance advocate and personal guide in assisting you in finding the right coverage for your health needs. Your agent/broker works for you not a specific carrier, which means they work for you. We participate in numerous required trainings every year, and many like me go the extra mile in paying for additional trainings so that we can help our clients navigate all the complexities of Medicare every year.

We're your neighbor and your friend, here to take care of you because we care, with the goal of ensuring you're always in the right Medicare coverage.