Find the Right Medicare Insurance Agent for You

During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—October 15 through December 7—an insurance agent can help you understand your options and determine the right plan for your health needs Here are some tips to help you find the right agent for you.

Understanding the different types of agents

There are several different types of insurance agents that can help you during AEP

• Carrier agents work for an insurance carrier such as Humana and only sell this carrier’s insurance plans in their specified geographic region

• Independent agents work for themselves or an independent insurance brokerage They contract with multiple carriers in a certain geographic region.

• Third-party call center agents work for companies who contract with a wide range of carriers in multiple geographic regions

If you like to develop personal relationships with service providers and want additional help understanding or using your plan throughout the year, you might like working with a carrier or independent agent best.

If you want to have a lot of options to choose from, and do not need help understanding or using your plan, you might consider an independent or thirdparty call center agent.

What to look for in an agent

When considering an agent, ask yourself:

• Do you want someone who is more relationship based, or would you prefer a more hands-off approach with a call once or twice a year?

Do you need extra support to understand and use your plan benefits, or do you prefer to be more selfdirected?

• Do you want someone who can help connect you to community resources or would you rather do that research on your own?

Ask prospective agents about their communication style and process to decide whether or not they might be right for you.

How to find an insurance agent

Ask your friends and family if they can recommend any Medicare insurance agents You can also research agents using a search engine or on social media platforms like Facebook. Agents are under strict rules about when and how they can reach out to you, so you should call or email them if you are interested in working with them.

Working with an insurance agent can help you:

Find the right plan and pricing for your healthcare needs program to administer Medicare

Advantage plans

There are several key differences

Under Original Medicare you can visit any doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider that accepts Medicare But if you go outside your Medicare Advantage plan’s provider network, you may be charged more or must pay the total cost out of pocket.

Medicare Advantage plans must provide all coverage offered in Original Medicare, but some plans include additional coverage such as vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drug benefits

Does Medicare cover nursing home care or assisted living services?

Although Medicare does not cover most nursing home care, it may in some circumstances For example Medicare Part A may cover skilled nursing facility care if it is medically necessary and has been certified by a doctor

Additionally original Medicare may provide home health care coverage, including injectable osteoporosis drugs for women, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology services

Does Medicare cover medical expenses while traveling outside the United States?

If you’re traveling outside the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa, Medicare usually won’t cover medical care

However, it may pay for the care you receive on a ship in U.S territorial waters if it is at most six hours from port.

In some circumstances Medicare may also pay for inpatient hospital care, ambulance services, or dialysis you receive in a foreign country For example:

• Medicare may cover care at a foreign hospital if a medical emergency requires immediate attention and the nearest U.S hospital cannot treat your condition.

• Travel through Canada without delay on the most direct route between Alaska and the lower 48 states, and a medical emergency occurs Medicare may cover treatment at a nearby Canadian hospital.

• If the nearest hospital to your home is closer than any in the United States that can treat your condition, Medicare may cover your care at that hospital.

Determine monthly premium costs as well as your copay, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs per year

• Understand your key plan benefits and how to maximize them.

Connect to community resources for your nonclinical needs and determine your eligibility for additional government services

• Understand which providers and facilities are in your plan’s network. Find doctors in your area with Humana’s Find a Doctor tool.

Because they help people like you every day insurance agents can be a great resource during AEP and all year long Learn more at healththatcares com/humana-agents

Call a licensed sales agent 1-844-224-8993 (TTY:711)

Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.