Shane Bullock, Medicare Insurance Broker
Shane Bullock
Secure Horizon Benefits
Medicare Broker Licensed in UT, AZ, FL, ID, KS, MO, MT, NV, OH, TX, WA and WY
5+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Location
St George, UT
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About Me
Hello! I'm Shane, your trusted Medicare agent in the area. My specialty is Medicare, and I'm passionate about helping you select the ideal plan that caters to your individual needs and budget. I'll efficiently sort through plans from reputable national and local companies, saving you time and effort. Best of all, my services are provided at no cost to you. Contact me to discuss your Medicare choices and don't forget to mention that you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
Q&A with Shane Bullock
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: You don't have to do this by yourself! I've seen too many people make mistakes when they try to plan their Medicare coverage alone. Unfortunately, some mistakes can be for life.
Original Medicare and Medicare insurance plans change every year and we agents/brokers dedicate many hours keeping up to date, so you don't have to. Without a doubt, working with a competent agent/broker will save you time and money. The best part is that it doesn't cost you any more to work with us. Do yourself a favor and get a competent agent working for you!
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: The most common misconception that I run into is that Medicare will pay for everything. While Medicare does provide much-needed medical coverage, many people are shocked to find out that there are some major gaps that can lead to large out of pocket costs.
For example: Medicare doesn't have a max-out-of-pocket limit, meaning there is no dollar amount that you can reach where you will stop paying for medical services. The program also doesn't cover long-term care (i.e. nursing home or custodial care), dental, vision, hearing, or burial costs. Virtually everyone will need one or more of these services at some point and might find out too late that they aren't covered. Working with a competent agent/broker will help you see what gaps you have and how to get the right protection in place.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Answer: I have many clients who choose Medicare Advantage plans and it works very well for them. That said, no insurance is perfect. The most common issue I've seen with Medicare Advantage plans is when someone enrolls in a plan that doesn't allow them to see the providers that they want to see because of the network it uses. I usually see this when people enroll themselves in a plan, or when they call an 800 number they saw on TV or through the mail. People need to find a competent agent/broker that takes the time to do a thorough assessment before they recommend a plan. If you do run into issues like this, they should be available to help you find solutions.
Can I change my Supplemental/Medigap plan at any time?
Answer: You can apply at any time, but you may not be accepted at any time. Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans do not have a nationwide yearly enrollment period like Medicare Advantage (Part C) or standalone Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans do.
Rules do vary from state to state, but in general, there is a one-time Open Enrollment period for Medigap plans - this is the first 6 months after your Part B effective date. In this 6-month period, you can enroll in any Medigap plan you want regardless of your health. After this period, you will most likely have to go through underwriting (i.e. answer questions about your health history) to enroll in a Medigap plan. If you have a serious health condition, you may not qualify. Find a competent agent/broker to help you with this process because each insurance company has their own rules for what they will accept or deny.
Some states have guaranteed issue (i.e. you must be accepted regardless of your health) rules such as a birthday rule, which will give people an opportunity to change plans yearly. Check with an agent/broker to see if you have that opportunity in your state.