Sarah Murphy, Medicare Insurance Agent
Sarah Murphy
Herd Health Insurance
Medicare Agent Licensed in MI
21+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
Lake Ann, MI
About Me
Sarah Murphy
Medicare Advisor
Specializing in Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Vision & Dental Coverage.
With more than 20 years of experience in health education, medical billing, insurance auditing, and client advocacy, Sarah brings a unique blend of industry knowledge and personalized service to every client interaction. Her extensive background in healthcare, combined with experience in the property and casualty insurance industry, provides valuable insight into how insurance decisions affect both individuals and families.
A lifelong Northern Michigan resident with roots in Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties, Sarah understands the value of building trusted relationships within the community. She believes Medicare is more than just choosing a plan—it's about understanding your options, protecting your healthcare future, and having a knowledgeable advocate by your side.
Sarah is committed to making Medicare simple and understandable. Through education, compassion, and practical experience, she helps clients confidently navigate their choices and select coverage that aligns with their healthcare needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Whether you're turning 65, retiring, or reviewing your current coverage, Sarah is dedicated to providing clear guidance and personalized support every step of the way.
Directions to My Office
Q&A with Sarah Murphy
I went to a free Medicare seminar and it felt like a timeshare pitch. Are any of those events actually helpful?
Answer: I’m so sorry you had that experience—that’s not what a Medicare seminar should feel like at all.
A good, educational seminar should:
✔️ Clearly explain what happens when you turn 65 and walk through your Medicare options
✔️ Help those already on Medicare understand how to advocate for themselves, including their rights and how to review plan options
✔️ Share helpful resources or guide you toward programs you may not even know are available
And most importantly…
🚫 It should NEVER be carrier-specific or feel like a sales pitch.
Education first. Always.
If you ever want a no-pressure, educational conversation, I’m always happy to help.
Every year I stress over picking a plan and still end up surprised by the bills. Is there any way to just get peace of mind with Medicare?
Answer: You’re not alone, many feel overwhelmed by Medicare because the costs aren’t always upfront. The key is to understand the total cost of a plan, not just the monthly premium. A good Medicare agent walks you through premiums, deductibles, copays, prescriptions, and worst-case scenarios so there are no surprises later. With the right agent, guidance and an annual review, you can choose a plan confidently and stop stressing every year
I need a hearing aid but I've heard Medicare doesn't cover them. Is there any way around this?
Answer: There are some Medicare Advantage plans that offer coverage for h earing aids but it will depend on the individual plan and benefits, you can purchase riders that help cover hearing aids too. However many riders to have caps or limits to what can be spent.
How could a shrinking workforce affect Medicare funding in the next 20 years?
Answer: As the workforce shrinks over the next several years we are going to face a decline in the tax base paying into to the Medicare funding. Not only will this be an issue but we are also seeing a growth in the aging population which will also increase the their needs on the healthcare system.
Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?
Answer: Short answer yes. Losing your health insurance due to the lost of employer coverage deems and as a qualifying life event and would make you eligible for Special Enrollment. You have a 60 day window to enroll in a new plan. In some cases proof of loss will need to be submitted.
Please reach out to your agent to help you through this process.
My plan covered my cataract surgery but not the lenses I actually needed-how do they get away with that?
Answer: Thank you for your question. With cataract surgery Medicare typically coverage the intraocular lenses implanted during surgery, but will not cover advanced type of lenses like ones for multifocal vision, corrective astigmatism, or other premium types of lenses. These are considered to elective upgrades.
It is always good to talk with your eye surgeon so there is transparency about the type of lenses covered by your plan. Also if you have an advantage plan, then contact your provider to see what the specific coverage is.
If you could change one thing about the Medicare system, what would it be and why?
Answer: Once thing I would change is networks for Medicare Advantage plans. Navigating Medicare can be difficult enough, but having to worry about networks.
I'm interested in a robotic knee replacement surgery that my surgeon recommends for my specific anatomy. How does Medicare coverage work for this advanced procedure?
Answer: In general Medicare takes a look at robotic knee replaces like it does traditional knew replacements. However, like any medical procedure it must be deemed as medically necessary. Medicare Part A covers the inpatient stay while Part B covers outpatient services and doctor fees. If you have a Medicare supplemental plan than that might help with your deductibles, coinsurance, including your out of pocket costs.
Confirm the details of your surgery with your surgeon's office, this will help with both Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare with a supplement.
How can I lower my Medicare Part B premium if my income drops after retirement?
Answer: In order to be able to lower your premium for Medicare Part B you would need to complete the SSA-44 form and request a reduction. The form can be found on the Social Security Administration's Website. Along with the form, please make sure you are providing documentation to support the request. Documentation could be the last tax return or what your anticipated income is after a life changing event. Submit the documentation and the form to the social security office. It is important that you act promptly and have all of your documentation in order. Still need help? Reach out to a profession such as a Medicare Advisor to help you.
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
Answer: Great question! So it depends on the size of your employer and if you are currently receiving health insurance through your employer. If you are receiving insurance through your employer you may still want to sign up for Medicare Part A but could delay Part B until you either retire or if you lose insurance without penalty. Make sure you consult your employer and how your current insurance coordinates with Medicare. I would love the opportunity to work with you.