Rodney Powell, Medicare Insurance Broker
Rodney Powell
Senior Health Services
Medicare Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI and WV
Contact Details
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Serving
Waterford, CA
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Phone
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Pre-Appointment Form
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About Me
"Do It Yourself" isn't a Medicare plan. A FRIEND to come alongside you is priceless. Rodney POWELL - the "Medicare Video Guy" - is that person for you. Licensed in 30+ states - I never charge a consultation fee.
Whether you’re exploring Plan G, Plan N, or need clarity on Medicare Parts A, B, C, or D, Rodney’s got you covered with expertise on Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, dental plans, and more.
Most people I come across can get better coverage or lower premiums.
Representing Physicians Mutual, United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana, Devoted, HealthSpring, KelseyCare, and more.
INDEPENDENT ADVICE • ACTIONABLE TIPS • LIFELONG SUPPORT
My Google Reviews
52 Total Reviews (5.0)
May 5, 2025
December 26, 2024
Can definately give Rodney 5 stars. I was getting all kinds of mail and cards from people regarding medicare. I actually went to a couple of short seminars at the local library. Rodney's was the second one. By then I was loaded with questions and he had the answers I needed. He took the time to answer my questions and gave me the ins and outs of the different options. Rodney set me up with a plan and walked me through the process of getting enrolled. He provided help and clarity to what was a confusing process. Very personable and responsive to my calls. Many thanks to him!
December 21, 2024
Very thankful I had someone I could trust to get me in the right medicare insurance plans Rodney is informed and a great resource . Use him for the best coverage for you
December 19, 2024
Working with Rodney was extremely easy. He was able to set up my Medicare supplement without any work on my end. I highly recommend Rodney for your Medicare questions. He'll take good care of you.
December 19, 2024
We attended one of Rodney's, no pressure, informational meetings about Medicare. He did a great job of explaining the available plans that before we left we knew which plan we needed. You will find Rodney to be a man of honesty and integrity whose purpose is to make sure you have the right plan in place. When he says call me anytime with any questions he means it! At a time when we are wondering what is going on in our life we found Rodney to be a true blessing and our incredibly thankful we found him!
Q&A with Rodney Powell
What do you like most about being a Medicare agent?
Answer: Medicare agents are all about guiding people through consequential decisions. I realized most of my friends didn’t understand Medicare.
This work is really about walking people through choices that fit their needs — I help them optimize their prescription coverage and keep the doctors they trust.
People appreciate having someone reliable they know they can trust, and that’s genuinely rewarding, personally.
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: Make choices with your future self in mind. Don’t just look for the best deal at 65 — think about what you’ll need at 75.
We're not always trying to solve a math problem. It can be more about autonomy over your healthcare when it matters most.
I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B. Why is something so basic so hard to figure out?
Answer: It usually comes down to whether you have "creditable coverage." That means:
• You’re actively working for a company with 20 or more employees.
• Your group health insurance is as good as, or better than, Medicare.
If so, you have options — you can stay with your group plan or move to Medicare — whatever works best for your needs.
Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period without answering health questions?
Answer: No. The Annual Enrollment Period doesn't let you switch to a Medigap plan without answering health questions. The only ways to avoid medical underwriting are:
• During your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (the first 6 months after you start Part B at age 65)
• If you live in a "birthday rule" state (like California, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, or Nevada) where you can switch Medigap plans each year around your birthday without health questions
• If you qualify for a Guaranteed Issue situation, such as losing coverage or moving out of your plan's service area
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
Answer: While it's possible to self-enroll for Medicare plans, it’s also easy to miss important details. Most people simply don’t know what they don’t know. Working with a trusted independent Medicare agent won’t cost you more, so take advantage of the guidance.
• Medicare has many options — Original Medicare, Medigap, Advantage plans, and drug plans. You'll get help with comparisons and find what fits your needs.
• Agents review your providers, prescriptions, finances, and health needs to recommend plans suited to your personal needs.
• They help you avoid missed deadlines, penalties, and coverage gaps.
• Independent agents have access to plans from a variety of insurers, not just one.
• You’ll want ongoing support for questions, claims, plan changes, and annual reviews — even after you enroll — again, at no cost to you.
What are disadvantages of HMO?
Answer: • Limited provider networks
• Most require referrals from your primary care doctor
• Out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
• The big one — prior authorizations are often required for many services
How do you explain to clients that "zero-premium" doesn't mean "zero-cost" with Medicare Advantage?
Answer: Some Advantage plans have a $-ZERO premium, but that doesn’t mean you pay nothing.
You’ll still have out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance when you use services.
Can you explain what "creditable coverage" means and when it applies?
Answer: Creditable coverage means your group health insurance is at least as good as Medicare. To qualify, you must be actively working for an employer with 20 or more employees.
This matters if you delay enrolling in Medicare beyond your initial eligibility at age 65, often because you’re still working and covered by your employer’s plan.
Coverage that does NOT count as creditable includes:
• COBRA
• VA benefits
• Health sharing ministries
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
Answer: Yes, if you lose employer coverage, you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
• For Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), you have 8 months from the date your group health plan ends or you stop working — whichever comes first—to enroll without penalty. This only applies if your coverage was through active employment (not COBRA or retiree coverage).
• For Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D (prescription drug coverage), the SEP is shorter: you have 2 months from the date your employer coverage ends to sign up.
Key points:
• The 2-month SEP for Part C and Part D starts when your employer coverage ends — not when employment ends.
• Missing this window may mean waiting until the next Annual Enrollment Period and possibly facing late enrollment penalties.
Does IRMAA go away automatically if my income drops, or do I need to report it to Social Security?
Answer: IRMAA doesn’t go away automatically if your income drops — you need to report the change to Social Security and request a review.
If you’ve had a life-changing event like retirement or a significant loss of income, you can file Form SSA-44 or contact Social Security to have your IRMAA reassessed.
Otherwise, Social Security will keep using your most recent tax returns (from two years prior) to determine your IRMAA amount.