Shelly Hefley, Medicare Insurance Broker
Shelly Hefley
Hefley Financial
Medicare Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY and TN
Contact Details
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Location
Evansville, IN
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Phone
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Website
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LinkedIn
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Facebook
About Me
I have been working with Medicare clients/patients for over 30 years. It gives me great pleasure to help families prepare and plan for the future. So many changes every year to clients and Medicare plans, it is extremely important to speak with a local agent that you can trust to help you.
Q&A with Shelly Hefley
What benefits are there to working with a Medicare Agent near me vs remote/virtual?
Answer: The benefits of a local agent is to have someone who knows the trends with your state or town particularly. I refer my clients to providers I know will help them and take good care of them. I get to know my clients on a personal level. Virtual agents only know what the computer tells them.
How do you educate clients who are completely new to Medicare?
Answer: We sit down at their kitchen table or in my office and go over the ABCs of Medicare and we spend a couple of hours talking about how services are covered and what their needs are. We discuss the options available and how their needs are best served.
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: Know all of your options and why the agent is steering you to a particular type of plan. Each person should understand the differences between supplements and advantage plans. They need to understand how their individual health should definitely be taken into account when choosing between supplement and advantage plans.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
Answer: Not understanding the options and how their choices will affect their healthcare for the rest of their lives. By passing up the opportunities to enroll during guaranteed enrollment periods, they could cost themselves significantly financially over the years.
What do you enjoy most about working with Medicare clients?
Answer: I enjoy helping clients understand their benefits and how to use them accurately. I like to have clients be able to get their care in the most cost effective ways! By planning, clients can cover themselves and avoid issues down the road
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
Answer: The decision to enroll in Medicare is partially decided on their current coverage. Cost of the current coverage and the limits of that coverage play a big part in determining the need for additional coverage. Sometimes it is best to have Medicare as a second coverage and utilize other ways to cut back on the cost of Medicare!
I thought I was covered during my snowbird months in Florida, but apparently not. What kind of plan do I actually need for that?
Answer: A Medicare supplement is always best for snowbirds - it covers you anywhere! But sometimes that is not affordable so Medicare Advantage plans that have a wide network which would cover your providers in both locations!
I’m retiring next year—do I need to do anything with my Medicare?
Answer: YES - you need to talk to a financial planner like myself to be sure your insurance is compliant and to determine if you need part B or not.
Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?
Answer: If you have a supplemental coverage, it should pay your hospital co- insurance. It is always best to have a licensed broker review your specific coverage and help you be informed.
What are some ways to ensure your parents feel supported during the Medicare decision-making process?
Answer: By using a local agent that you can meet with and contact when you have questions. Trying to do it yourself can sometimes work but if you aren’t confident in your knowledge, it can backfire on you.
I went with Medigap because I travel a lot, but now I’m paying a fortune in premiums. Did I make a mistake?
Answer: No, that’s a great idea but if you are healthy, it’s time to see if you can get more cost effective coverage.
I signed up for a Medicare Advantage HMO, and I’m wondering if I can see a cardiologist out of network without paying everything myself.
Answer: If you go out of network you would be paying the entire cost. If you would discuss options, please call me - you have a couple of days to make the change. After 4/1/2025 you are stuck on the HMO until 2026