How do you approach educating clients who are new to Medicare versus those who are considering switching plans?

Question

James Carlson · Accepted Answer

If not sure you have the best plan, I would verify the current plan vs some new options. I would explain that some plans may not have wide network, while other plan may better cover your needs. Should you keep it is your decision.

Answered by James Carlson on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN

Answered by James Carlson Medicare Insurance Agent

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

People that are new to Medicare require much more time and explanation regarding how Medicare works and what their options are. People who already have Medicare and are just switching plans usually know what they want however people switching plans do require occasional updates and re-education about how things work.

Answered by Dutch VanHoesen on April 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Dutch VanHoesen Medicare Insurance Agent

Thomas Ashton · Answer

First, I would like to find out what they dislike about their current plan. Second, What the person is looking for in a new plan and if a new plan will meet their needs.

Jay Larshus · Answer

Clients who are new to Medicare need to be educated on the differences between Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. They also need to understand the enrollment periods and the guaranteed issues guidelines.

Answered by Jay Larshus on April 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN & VA

Answered by Jay Larshus Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Bennett · Answer

When you are new to Medicare I use a flow chart directly from one of the official Medicare books to help people understand their options.  For clients who are in Medicare and thinking of changing plans the first step is to review their current benefits and network.  After that I ask questions to find out if changing plans actually fixes the problem they have.  Most of the time their current plan is just fine and there are details they haven't been reminded of in a while.  

Leaving someone in a plan where the enrollment was done by someone else doesn't earn me any commission, but it's the right thing to do quite often.

Michelle Sparks · Answer

For my Turning 65 clients, I start with the ABC's of Medicare so that they understand the basics of Original Medicare. I want them to understand the differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Advantage plans so they are confident in making good decisions. Specifically, what gaps they want to supplement with a Medicare Supplement or what benefits they want to replace with a Medicare Advantage Plan. I also spend a good bit of time educating them on what they need to know if they plan to work past 65. The average retirement age is now well beyond 66, so comparing employer group health plan benefits to Medicare is a critical step in the decision making process. I want to ensure seniors set themselves up for success down the road, which includes the best coverage for the best price- and to avoid potential late penalties. 

For my clients that are considering switching plans, because I am a broker that represents all major carriers, I routinely monitor any changes in their health/financial situation against the changes that the carriers are making. Each year carriers make changes, and each year I ensure all my clients have a complete review of their current plan, so they can compare and make changes if needed- leaving them with the confidence that they know they are in the best possible plan for them.

Anna J Smith · Answer

I like to educate all Medicare beneficiaries with facts printed from Medicare directly and I spend as much time necessary to help clients understand what their healthcare options are.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

That's an easy one: Those veterans of the Medicare wars had better been explained at age 65 all of the ins & outs of Medicare since it is so very quirky. If I question these veterans and they simply don't recall having been taught what I consider to be "properly", I will treat those seniors just as I would with those first entering Medicare. As a longtime agent, I tell folks that there simply is no "cookie-cutter" means of teaching & advising Medicare. "Simply the rules, madam, simply the rules".

I teach Medicare at the local university every year for the past decade right before the Annual Open Enrollment period which should be close enough for everybody to "get the gist" of the 80% - 20% rule. That is: if you're having a procedure in a hospital (In-patient) that comes under the heading of Medicare's Part A (no cost/month usually), then Part A pays the 80% and your secondary pays most or all of the remaining 20%. BUT, if you're receiving treatment in a doctor's free-standing surgical center (Out-patient), the 80% is paid for by Medicare's Part B (has a monthly premium) with the remainder coming from your secondary insurance. 

Constantly, I remind folks that there are basically THREE aspects of Medicare that you'll be paying for: A) your monthly Part B "Premium Payment" which is predicated on your 2-year old tax return on the line that is called your "Adjusted Gross Income". There is an "IRMAA" Income chart on Medicare.gov showing the most common (= the least amount in 2025 at $185.00 per month). This can be withdrawn from your Social Security Direct Deposit if you've begun to collect your SS entitlement., B) there is a one-time per year Part B "Deductible" which is $257.00 in 2025, and C) whether you've chosen a Medicare Supplement (which has a monthly premium) or a Medicare Advantage plan (the latter of which is free since it is government-subsidized). Then, depending upon which of the many plans are chosen, that will dictate your entire monthly money outlay.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

People new to MEDICARE need to understand all of their options teaching them about budget, risk, which Doctors they use accept which Plans, Prescription coverage ad more. Those already under a Plan need to see what has changed from Carriers on the MEDICARE ADVANTAGE side and about price changes on the MEDIGAP side.

Answered by John L Herman Jr on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in MD, DE & PA

Answered by John L Herman Jr Medicare Insurance Agent

Brian Leichner · Answer

At Pro Insurance Resources, we teach our agents how to educate Medicare beneficiaries using a Medicare compliant education process. The beauty is that it takes about 8 minutes and is very clear. Many say they've attended 1.5 hour meetings and left more confused than educated. We frequently hear people say, "Now I understand". That means they know what they have, what their choice means and why they make their enrollment choices. This leads to long term client satisfaction. We also use State of the Art technology to shop all plans in the market each year to assure clients continue to have the coverage that best matches their particular needs.

Answered by Brian Leichner on April 24, 2025

Agent Licensed in NE, AZ, CO & IA, KS, MO & TN

Answered by Brian Leichner Medicare Insurance Agent

Kevin Chaikin · Answer

In both cases we are reviewing Medicare 101 because even someone currently on a plan doesn't speak Medicare everyday. We make sure to cover the ABC's again and Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage and do a full needs assessment. We then are making a formal recommendation based on their new to Medicare needs or their current coverage needs. There's no reason to assume a current Medicare beneficiary won't benefit from the re-education - they may have been mis-educated in the first place!

Answered by Kevin Chaikin on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA, AL, AZ & 31 other states

Answered by Kevin Chaikin Medicare Insurance Agent

How do you approach educating clients who are new to Medicare versus those who are considering switching plans?

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How do you approach educating clients who are new to Medicare versus those who are considering switching plans?

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