Michelle Searle, Medicare Insurance Agent
Michelle Searle
Senior Health Markets
Medicare Agent Licensed in TX
8+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Pflugerville, TX
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Phone
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Website
About Me
Michelle Searle is a Licensed Insurance Agent/Broker in based in Austin, Texas. Over the past eight years, she has assisted hundreds of Medicare recipients with their insurance plans across Texas. She frequently conducts local Medicare educational classes for those who are newly eligible to Medicare and/or departing from employer insurance. She is happy to provide testimonials from many happy clients, who are strongly loyal to her and trust her guidance through the rocky terrain of annual Medicare changes.
Q&A with Michelle Searle
Can I drop my employer health insurance and switch to Medicare instead?
Answer: The biggest reasons why clients move from Employer coverage to Medicare:
*Unlike Employer coverage with high deductibles, Medicare plans have $0-$300 deductible for the year, depending on the plan (yes, that is all!)
*Although you have to part a Part B premium for Medicare starting a $203/month (depending on your income & whether you qualify for Medicaid), Medicare plans cost $0-$200/month, depending on the plan
*If you chose an Advantage plan (most have $0 monthly premium), they also include prescription coverage, vision, dental, hearing, gym and monthly allowance to purchase over-the-counter items (bandaids, toothpaste, vitamins, etc.) and if you have Medicaid or heart/diabetic condition, it also includes an allowance to pay utilities & food.
How can insurance companies afford to offer Advantage plans with $0 monthly premiums?
Answer: When you sign up for Medicare Advantage, Medicare no longer pays your medical claims. The Advantage plan becomes your primary coverage and is responsible for all Medicare claims. You still pay your Medicare part B premium. Medicare pays the Medicare Advantage plan a set amount per month to cover you. If the Medicare Advantage plan is charging you $0, they are still getting paid to cover you from Medicare. The higher the Advantage plans star rating, the more they are paid by Medicare through bonuses and other funding.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: A local Medicare Agent (vs. calling an Insurance company directly) offers many advantages:
*They are aware of all the plans in your area across many companies and have a better pulse on the local coverage, networks and customer service feedback (vs. calling an 800 number to one company and speaking to an agent who is out of the area and not aware of these things).
*One point of contact (vs. enrolling with a company where you will not have a dedicated agent, only "customer service" as a whole).
*Personalized service & a long-term relationship (my clients are very loyal because I have been there and will continue to be there, day after day, month after month, year after year).