Tina VanPhung, Medicare Insurance Broker
Tina VanPhung
Insurance Resources NW
Medicare Broker Licensed in OR, AZ, CA, FL, MD, NV, TX, VA and WA
15+ Years of Experience
Contact Details
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Serving
Hayesville, OR
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Phone
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Website
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Schedule An Appointment
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Pre-Appointment Form
About Me
Welcome to Insurance Resources NW!
I help seniors, individuals, and families understand Medicare and Marketplace health insurance so the process feels simple and clear. With more than 10 years of experience, I specialize in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), ACA Marketplace, direct enrollment, travel medical, and other personal insurance plans.
Many people need help with insurance during major life changes, such as turning 65, retiring, moving, losing employer coverage, getting divorced, having a child, or being self-employed without coverage.
Inundated insurance ads in your face can feel overwhelming. How do you know which option is best for you?
With so many providers—like Aetna, Devoted, UnitedHealthcare, Care Oregon Advantage, SCAN, Regence, Moda, ManhattanLife, Cigna, United American, Prominence, Mutual of Omaha, Globe Life—the choices can seem endless. My goal is to help you find a plan that truly fits your needs, not just pick a company. I’ll help you compare your options, understand your choices, and make a confident decision based on your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and long-term goals.
Important: Providence Health Plan is exiting the market at the end of the year.
My help is free for you because the insurance company pays me when we enroll together, and this won’t change your premiums or benefits.
If you’re ready to explore your options, just fill out the Get in Touch form or visit my website to complete the Scope of Appointment form and set up a discovery call. I look forward to helping you find a plan that works for your needs and budget.
And don’t forget to mention you found me on Medicare Agents Hub!
A BIG THANK YOU! 🙏😊
And welcome to Insurance Resources NW Family
Tina
Directions to My Office
My Google Reviews
106 Total Reviews (4.9 )
May 18, 2026
Tina was extremely helpful with my Medicare enrollment. She is very knowledgeable about the different options and very patient to explain everything. I recommend her to anyone looking for assistance with Medicare, as well as other insurance options; including dental/vision/hearing plans and travel insurance.
April 1, 2026
My husband & I are very happy to have Tina Van Phung for our Medicare agent. She helped us find a good plan that suits us. Tina is great to work with & made it easy to understand. I will call her again if & when we need to find other options for Medicare. We definitely recommend Tina Van Phung.
February 18, 2026
I found my visit very informative and helpful. Mr Chism was able to find an insurance that will work best for me. I had to see Mr Chism again and he has gone above and beyond. So very helpful and understanding.
January 24, 2026
Jay did fine and gained our confidence for our next meeting.
January 18, 2026
Jay is very knowledgeable and very kind. He explained all the different Medicare options, but never pushed one over another. He was very patient and never rushed our decision making. Definitely would recommend Jay to anyone needing Medicare advice.
Q&A with Tina VanPhung
How do I request a doctor be added to my Medicare Advantage plan?
Answer: Today, start by calling the doctor's office to find out if they are accepting new patients. Ask which insurance plans and companies they accept. After that, check your insurance company’s directory to make sure the doctor is listed.
What are some ways to save on prescription drug costs?
Answer: 1. Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy). If you qualify, it can significantly lower premiums, deductibles, and copays.
2. Ask for Generics (or Therapeutic Alternatives). They usually cost much less than brand-name drugs.
3. Compare Part D plans yearly: Costs and formularies change annually.
4. Manufacturer Assistance Programs. Ask about patient and manufacturer assistance programs: Some drug manufacturers offer discounts or free meds.
5. Use Preferred or Mail-Order Pharmacies. Get medications with preferred pharmacies or mail order: Costs may be lower.
6. Enroll in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread out the costs evenly every month.
7. Use Discount Programs (Even With Insurance Sometimes). Discount cards can beat your insurance copay in some cases.
8. Talk to a medicare broker to see if you could change to a plan that would cover medication at a lower cost.
9. State & Nonprofit Assistance Programs
I'm a green card holder who's been in the US for 4 years and turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare?
Answer: To be eligible for Medicare as a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you must:
- Be age 65 or older
- Have lived legally in the U.S. for at least five continuous years
You do not yet meet the 5-year lawful residence requirement. Once you reach five whole years, you can enroll in Medicare (Part A and Part B), even if you have never worked in the U.S.— but you will likely pay monthly premiums for Part A unless you or your spouse has 40 quarters of U.S. work history. And depending on your household income, you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. Check with your local DHS office to see if you are eligible.
Is Guaranteed Issue available after the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends?
Answer: Yes — but only in specific situations.
Guaranteed Issue (GI) rights are not tied to the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) or Jan 1-Mar 31. Instead, GI rights occur when certain qualifying events happen, such as:
- You lose employer or union group coverage
- Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves the service area
- You move out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area
- Your plan stops contracting with Medicare
- You joined a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time and want to switch back to Original
Medicare within 12 months (trial right)
- You lose Medicaid eligibility
- You cancel a Medicare Advantage plan within the first 12 months if you were new to Medicare Part A & B (trial right)
When you have a Guaranteed Issue right, insurance companies must sell you specific Medigap plans (varies by state), regardless of health conditions, and they cannot charge more because of health issues.
But outside of these GI situations, if you apply for a Medigap policy, you will usually need to go through medical underwriting, and the carrier may deny coverage or charge a higher premium.
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: You’re not alone—this is one of the most confusing parts of Medicare! Whether you need Part B while you’re still working depends on your employer coverage.
Suppose your employer has 20 or more employees. In that case, you can delay Part B without penalty because your employer plan remains primary.
Suppose your employer has fewer than 20 employees. In that case, Medicare becomes primary, and you’ll want to enroll in Part B to avoid coverage gaps and late-enrollment penalties.
Also, check with your employer to confirm that your prescription drug coverage is “creditable.”
That means it’s considered at least as good as Medicare Part D. If it’s not creditable and you delay enrolling in a Part D plan, you could face a lifetime penalty later.
When you retire or lose employer coverage, you’ll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B (and Part D if needed) without penalty.
What is one of the the most common misconceptions people have about Medicare?
Answer: Many people think Medicare covers 100% of all health care needs. In fact, Medicare covers only 80% and is divided into parts, each covering certain services; it does not automatically include dental, vision, hearing, or long-term care. It often surprises people that they may still have to pay out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copays, and premiums.
This is why it helps to work with a local full-time broker. They can review your options, such as Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans, check your eligibility, and go over your coverage each year. This way, you can be sure you have the right coverage for your health needs and know what costs you are responsible for.
Can you describe a time when you helped a client navigate a complex Medicare issue?
Answer: I remember a client whose Medicare Advantage plan denied coverage for their mobility scooter, which is considered durable medical equipment.
They had just had surgery and needed the scooter to help with their recovery. They bought the scooter on their own, without a doctor’s referral. Their family felt overwhelmed and confused for several reasons:
They didn't know that the doctor needed to prescribe the scooter
The scooter supplier must be in the network
The plan denied covering the scooter right off the bat
Naturally, they were upset and blamed the plan, not realizing they didn’t fully understand the Medicare procedures.
It is important to work with a broker so they can help when this sort of thing happens.
I reminded them of the plan's fine details. It was an HMO-POS plan, and for 2026, referrals were required. Rules have updated in 2026.
Medicare rules are complex:
Prior authorizations
Referral requirements
Tier exceptions
Formulary changes
Network limitations
What looks like a “no” is often what seems like a “no” is really just a paperwork or process problem.
What's one piece of advice you wish every senior knew before picking a Medicare plan?
Answer: I recommend working with a local, independent full-time Medicare broker with years of experience, or with someone referred by a trusted friend or family member. This helps ensure you receive honest advice and understand your options before choosing a plan.
Be cautious with unsolicited advertisements. Seek a local broker with a physical office, and avoid enrolling through call centers or agents outside your community.
Below are key factors to consider when selecting a plan.
Do not select a Medicare plan based solely on the premium.
Prioritize your prescription medications over the premium when choosing a plan.
Medicare plans are not one-size-fits-all.
Confirm that your preferred doctors and hospitals are included.
Be mindful of the trade-offs associated with each plan.