Mark Slemons, Medicare Insurance Broker
Mark Slemons
HealthMarkets Insurance Agency
Medicare Broker Licensed in AZ, CO, FL, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, PA, TX, UT, VA and WY
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Location
Tempe, AZ
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About Me
Hi! My name is Mark, and I am your dedicated Medicare consultant and agent. My focus is on Medicare, and I am committed to assisting you in finding the most suitable plan that aligns with your unique needs and budgetary constraints. I will tackle the challenge of sifting through plans from nationally and locally recognized companies, so you don't have to. What's more, my services are entirely free! Reach out to me today to explore your Medicare insurance options and be sure to mention that you discovered me on Medicare Agents Hub!
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Q&A with Mark Slemons
What’s one Medicare decision that too many people regret later?
Answer: I've seen employers offer an employee retirement incentives that included the employer paying for COBRA for a portion, or the entirety, of the 18-month term if the employee agrees to retire. When a person takes this offer, but they are already 65 or older, Medicare does NOT view this as creditable coverage. What the individual expected to be a benefit, turns out to be a regret because Medicare penalizes them for the rest of the time they are on Medicare. This could have been avoided had they spoken to a trusted advisor prior to making the decision. It's important to understand the impacts of decisions related to Medicare!
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: Clients are often surprised to find out that in most cases, Medicare Part B is not free. Sometimes this happens because the charge is withheld from the clients monthly social security retirement benefit check and they didn't know it. In other cases, because modified adjusted gross income was high in a particular year, they find the Part B premium to be very expensive and they weren't expecting this. This is part of the process that a trusted advisor utilizes to help prevent client surprises and remove any misconceptions.
Do I have to answer health questions when switching from one Supplemental/Medigap plan to another?
Answer: No one likes to hear "it depends" and unfortunately, this is the answer here. Most of the time, answering health questions will be necessary; however, there are special circumstances (e.g. moving to a new state) where switching will not require answering health questions.
What are some ways to ensure your parents feel supported during the Medicare decision-making process?
Answer: First, it's knowing that the reason you chose to work with an independent agent is that they will be available to answer questions. Can you think of anything worse than selecting an agent and then you can never speak to them again once the sale has been made? Unfortunately, this happens in call centers all the time - you can't speak to the same person twice. Second, don't rush - taking the time to listen to the client before offering proposed solutions is critical to establishing a feeling of trust. What's important to them? What do they like and what don't they like about previous coverage they have had? Have they had a great experience, or a poor one, with any particular carrier? Finally, it's important to know that your agent will take into account your needs and advise you based on your circumstance. Is the agent willing to tell you that you shouldn't change a plan because it's a good fit? Is the agent willing to direct you to a plan that won't generate a commission because it's the option that makes the most sense? Doing the right thing for the client ALL the time helps a client to feel supported during the decision-making process.