Mark Rich, Medicare Insurance Agent
Mark Rich
RICH Senior Benefit Advisors
Medicare Agent Licensed in KY
Contact Details
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Location
Louisville, KY
Mark Can Help With:
About Me
I am a Medicare Health Insurance Specialist with experience that dates back to 1987. Medicare Health Insurance is my sole specialty! That is, I do NOT do any other type of health insurance or other types of insurance. I am licensed and certified to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in any of the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Prescription Drug Plans offered by these major health insurers in Kentucky: Aetna, Anthem BC/BS, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare. I serve the whole state of Kentucky from my office near Louisville.
My purpose is always to place each Medicare beneficiary in the health plan best suited for their individual needs. Most Medicare beneficiaries have several plan options available to them. However, every person has different needs - different health and financial circumstances. It is especially IMPORTANT to have a qualified local agent help you sort through the complex and confusing array of plan choices. I would be honored to assist you!
Q&A with Mark Rich
I missed my Medigap window by a few months and now no one will cover me without underwriting. Why isn't this rule more well known?
Answer: Unfortunately, there are many sales initiatives (through television, mail, and telemarketing) that are only focused on enrolling new Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans (aka, Medicare Part C). Consequently, many new Medicare beneficiaries are unaware of their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) "Open Enrollment" period! This is a one-time, six-month period that starts the first month a person is 65 or older and has Medicare Part B. During this timeframe, as long as the applicant meets both those requirements, an insurance company cannot refuse to sell a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. However, once this period expires, the beneficiary's application will be subject to underwriting, meaning any pre-existing health conditions will be considered, which could result in the application being rejected. For this reason, all soon-to-be 65-year-olds need to engage a qualified local Medicare Health Insurance Specialist (licensed agent), ideally two or three months before their 65th birthday, so an understanding of one's Medicare plan options can be considered, especially the difference between the Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plan models. It is during this time that each beneficiary must make decisions and take actions that will affect their future healthcare choices and finances!
I picked the plan with the lowest premium, but now every doctor visit feels like a surprise bill. Should I have gone with a higher premium instead?
Answer: A qualified local agent should be able to advise you about your co-pays and maximum out-of pocket costs (MOOP) for any Medicare Advantage plan available in your county. The same is true for your estimated annual prescription drug costs under the Part D part of your plan. This is a good example of a reason to become acquainted with a local agent you trust.