As leaves start to change and we collectively sip our pumpkin spice lattes, we know fall is clearly on its way. In addition to the autumnal hum of football and bonfire season, Medicare Open Enrollment season begins on October 15 and runs through December 7.
Whether you or your partner are eligible to enroll, or you’ve recently become inundated with mailers about an upcoming birthday and qualifying to enroll, it’s a good idea to get informed about coverage options. According to Benefit Consultant Deb Burns of Strategic Benefits of Cincinnati, it’s never too soon to learn about the many options available through Medicare.
Strategic Benefits of Cincinnati, a benefits firm servicing primarily local and privately held businesses and individuals, specializes in providing their clients with medical, dental, vision, and Medicare options. Burns is a licensed agent specializing in Medicare plan options and provides an informed analysis for individuals questioning the right time to enroll. Knowing the ins and outs of Medicare has been her passion for over 20 years, and educating clients about the best path for their individual needs is her specialty.
“What I like best is working with seniors, educating them, defining their timelines, and helping them begin,” Burns shares. People are working and staying employed longer than in previous decades. People are often holding on to the health benefits offered by their employers, and they’ve never had to determine their best option on their own. That’s where Burns comes in and helps make the information gathering process easier on her clients.
So many people aren’t aware of the benefits available, and whether Medicare, if they’re eligible, could be a better option, she notes. “I break it down and try to simplify it. I try to make things easy to understand, so they’re comfortable with what they enroll in.”
When assisting her clients with Medicare enrollment, she asks questions like, “Are you going to continue to work? Do you have a younger spouse who will continue to work, or is your spouse older, and do they qualify for Medicare now?”
“It all boils down to doing the math,” Burns says. She helps her clients break down the numbers. She determines what a person pays for their group benefits and compares it to the costs of enrolling in Medicare. Burns is also aware of questions a person may not consider if they are going to investigate this option on their own, making her knowledge a great value to Strategic Benefits of Cincinnati.
If a person is still gainfully employed, some variables to consider when looking at Medicare coverage include company size, potential penalties if a person doesn’t enroll when eligible, and coverage specifics.
“Establishing a timeline is key,” Burns emphasizes.
People begin getting advertisements in their mailboxes as early as age 63. It’s essential to start thinking about options. Burns suggests reaching out to a licensed insurance agent about nine months before turning 65 unless a person is looking to retire early or go part-time. Deciding when to take the first step to enroll is so important.
“Educating people about their options, setting up a timeline, and letting people know about the process and what to expect are my favorite parts of the job,” Burns says. “I enjoy it most when clients walk away feeling comfortable with their decisions.”
Suppose you are considering Medicare options or reconsidering your current coverage. In that case, Burns encourages you to reach out to a licensed agent just before or during the Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15 through December 7, 2022) to become more aware of the many options.
Is it time for you to sign up for Medicare? Please contact Benefit Consultant Deb Burns with Strategic Benefits of Cincinnati, at 513-366-3758 for more information.