Our team at Senior Benefit Services has been helping folks navigate Medicare for decades now, and we still hear the same question almost every day: “Where do I even start with this Medicare Advantage thing?”
When you’re turning 65 or retiring, the last thing you want is to wade through government websites and insurance jargon. You just want someone to sit down with you, explain your options in plain English, and help you make a smart choice.
So let us share what we tell people when they walk into our office feeling overwhelmed and confused about getting help with Medicare Advantage here in Maryland.
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When most people start looking for help with Medicare Advantage, they hear about the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It’s a free service run by the state, and the folks there are trained to explain Medicare basics.
Now, we’re not going to say anything bad about them. They do good work for what they’re designed to do. The counselors are volunteers who’ve been through federal training, and they’re not trying to sell you anything. That’s actually a real positive.
But here’s what we want you to understand: there’s a big difference between getting educated about Medicare and getting personalized help choosing and enrolling in the right plan for you.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program can teach you about Medicare. They can show you how to use the government website to compare plans. What they can’t do is look at your specific situation, your doctors, your medications, your budget, and say, “Based on everything you’ve told me, here’s what I think makes the most sense for you.”
And they definitely can’t fill out your application and submit it for you.
That’s where working with a licensed independent insurance agent comes in. And that’s what we do every day here at Senior Benefit Services.
Let us tell you a situation that happens more often than you’d think.
Let’s say a couple comes into our office, and they’re frustrated. They’ve already called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. They spent 45 minutes on the phone getting a nice explanation of how Medicare works. But when they asked which plan they should pick, the volunteer said, “I can’t recommend specific plans, but here’s how you can compare them yourself on Medicare.gov.”
So now they’re sitting at their kitchen table looking at 15 different Medicare Advantage plans for Washington County, and they have no idea which one is right for them.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: the State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors are volunteers doing their best with the training they have. But they’re not licensed insurance agents. They can educate you, but they can’t guide you to a specific decision.
Think of it this way: if you wanted to learn about cars in general, you’d talk to an automotive teacher. But if you needed to buy the right car for your family and your budget, you’d want to work with someone who knows the inventory and can match you with the right vehicle.
That’s the difference.
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When you sit down with a licensed independent agent on our team, here’s what actually happens:
We represent multiple insurance companies. Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Johns Hopkins Advantage, Kaiser, Cigna. All the major carriers. So we’re not pushing one company’s plans. We’re finding the best fit for you.
We look at your whole picture. What doctors do you see? What prescriptions do you take? What’s your budget? Do you travel? Do you have specific health conditions we need to plan for?
Then we compare plans side by side. Not just premiums, but copays, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, provider networks, drug coverage, and extra benefits like dental and vision.
And once you’ve made your decision, we handle all the paperwork. We make sure everything’s filled out correctly, submitted on time, and that you understand exactly what you’re signing.
But here’s what really matters: we don’t disappear once you’re enrolled.
Every year when plans change, we reach out. We review your coverage. We make sure you’re still in the right plan. Because what worked for you last year might not be the best choice this year.
That’s the kind of relationship you want when you’re dealing with something as important as your healthcare.
Alright, let us give you the game plan we share with everyone who walks through our door:
First, schedule a sit-down meeting with a licensed independent agent. Someone who can look at your specific situation and compare multiple plans across multiple carriers, espcially if your new to medicare.
Second, don’t just look at the premium. Compare everything. Copays, deductibles, provider networks, drug coverage, out-of-pocket maximums. The cheapest plan isn’t always the best value.
Third, let your agent handle the paperwork, but keep copies of everything. Make sure you understand what you’re signing. Ask questions if something doesn’t make sense.
Fourth, and this is crucial, review your plan every single year. Plans change. Premiums change. Drug formularies change. Your health might change. What’s best for you this year might not be the best next year.
Follow that plan, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of people enrolling in Medicare Advantage.
We’re based right here in Maryland. Our team has been serving folks in Hagerstown, Cumberland, Thurmont, and all across the state for years. We know these communities. We know the local doctors and hospitals. We know which plans work well in Washington County versus Allegany County.
That local knowledge matters.
When you work with Senior Benefit Services, you’re not calling some 1-800 number where you’ll talk to someone different every time. You’re working with an advisor who knows you, knows your situation, and will be there year after year.
Now, we’re not saying you have to work with us. But we are saying you should work with a licensed independent agent who:
Those four things will save you a lot of headaches down the road.
You know what people tell us when they come in for their second or third year working with us?
“I’m so glad I don’t have to figure this out on my own.”
“I didn’t realize my plan changed so much from last year. I would have missed that.”
“You saved me hundreds of dollars by finding a better plan with the same doctors.”
And honestly, that’s why our team has been doing this for so long. It’s not complicated once you have someone who can walk you through it and explain things in a way that makes sense.
Medicare Advantage can be a great option. It really can. But you have to understand the networks. You have to know about preauthorization rules. You have to make sure your medications are covered.
Most people don’t have time to become Medicare experts. They just want someone they can trust to help them make the right choice.
Here’s What We Want You to Remember
Getting help with Medicare Advantage in Maryland doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program is great for education.
A licensed independent agent is what you need for personalized guidance and enrollment help.
Use both if you want. Get educated first, then get help making the actual decision.
But whatever you do, don’t try to figure this out alone by staring at a computer screen for hours. This is your health coverage we’re talking about. It deserves more than guesswork.
If you’re here in Hagerstown, Cumberland, Thurmont, or anywhere in Maryland, we’d be happy to sit down with you. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a conversation about what makes sense for your situation.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this should be. A conversation. Not a lecture, not a sales presentation. Just two people talking about how to make sure you have the right coverage to live your best life in retirement.
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