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
My kids keep telling me to get a Medicare Advantage plan, but my friends say stick with Original Medicare. Who should I listen to?
Answer: Each person is different and I look at financial situation and Health. If you’re in bad health and can’t afford a supplement then that might be the way to go…. But if you’re financially struggling, there are a lot of good advantage plans that may save you money and give you some extra benefits
Is it true that Medicare pays for dental implants?
Answer: Medicare does not routinely pay for dental. Only certain dental if it is sustained in an accident. Most dentists do not want to bill Medicare due to limiting charges and not being participating.
I'm worried about choosing the wrong plan and being stuck with it. How often can I change my Medicare coverage?
Answer: When you first turn 65 or go onto Medicare, you have a guarantee issue. That is the most important time to make sure you get on the right supplement if you choose to do a supplement. Advantage plans you can change with no health history questions. It’s very important to get with a good agent that will get you on the right plan for you.
I don't understand how my friend pays nothing for their plan and I pay over $200-are these plans just totally random by ZIP code?
Answer: The best way to discuss that is to sit down and look at what your plan is. If your friend is comfortable, I’m happy to look at her cards and tell you the difference between the two plans. There are so many plans out there. It’s hard to say
Can you help me understand Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limits in Medicare plans, from your experience as an agent?
Answer: That is the maximum amount you could be responsible for in a given year. These are important and not always discussed, particularly by telemarketers. Everyone should know what their max out of pocket could be.
How do I know if a Medigap policy is right for me, and what's the best time to buy one?
Answer: This is when an agent sitting down with you is important. I familiarize myself with your specific situation, this helps give you the best advice for which type of plan is best for you.
I'm caring for my dad who has Alzheimer's with lots of medications and I keep getting bills I don't understand. Any tips for not drowning in paperwork?
Answer: Get an agent who can explain what these are and why you may be getting them. It’s important to be able to understand what you are actually responsible for and what could be a mistake or billing error.
I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?
Answer: You can enroll three months prior to your birthday. I was strongly suggest you talk to an agent who is a broker. Brokers can handle supplements, advantage, plans your prescription drug plans. Definitely make sure that your agent is going to help you with everything there are some agents that do not help with drug plans. Please feel free to give me a call. 812-319-5448. I will help you figure out what’s best for you.