Your Friendly Medicare Agent in Las Vegas

Medicare vs Medicaid, Medicare Part A, B, and D? Medicare Advantage plan? What do you need? Like many government programs, Medicare can be confusing today the least. A Medicare agent in Las Vegas can listen to your concerns, understand your situation, and give you the best guidance on the right plan.

What is a Medicare Agent and Why Should I Use One?

A Medicare Agent in Las Vegas is your personal advisor for all things health insurance at age 65. A licensed Medicare insurance agent specializes in the ins and outs of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, as opposed to corporate plans or ACA plans. Your local agent will be able to answer any Medicare questions and present a variety of coverage options.

The best time to find an agent is before the open enrollment period that starts in October. Getting an early start means that you can consider different insurance companies and their products without worrying about the deadline.

Because Medicare is part of the Social Security Administration, many people consider claiming SSA benefits at the same time as enrolling in Medicare. Using an RSSA who is also an experienced Medicare insurance agent ensures that you get the best options for your situation.

Types of Medicare Agents in Las Vegas

There are many types of insurance agents. Let’s go through some definitions so that you can find the right Medicare agent for you.

Captive agents work exclusively with one insurance company.
Independent agents are not employed by one specific insurance company.
Agents that work with Medicare must certify with Medicare every year.
An independent Medicare agent can choose from a variety of plans
A licensed agent is licensed through the state that they work in.
Sandy Kemp is an independent Medicare agent licensed in Nevada.

Talk to Sandy about Medicare

Insurance Agent Licensing in Nevada

All insurance brokers or agents must be licensed to provide services in Nevada. Individuals must pass a test and a background check to be issued a Nevada (insurance) producer’s license. Producers must complete 30 hours of continuing education to retain their license, so your Nevada Medicare agent should always be on top of the latest changes in the insurance market.

Medicare Basics

Medicare is an insurance concept by the federal government specifically for senior citizens and young people with disabilities. Unlike private insurance or even ACA insurance, you’re required to register for Medicare at age 65. If you don’t, you can be assessed a 10% every year that you delay.

Medicare vs Medicaid

The federal Medicare program is a health insurance solution based on age and certain health conditions. Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that covers people of all ages who meet certain income requirements, not age requirements. You may qualify for both plans, which can lower your Medicare costs.

Explore Your Options with a Medicare Agent in Las Vegas

Medicare has changed and adapted as the health care market gets more advanced and complicated. A good Medicare broker will help you put together the best Medicare coverage plan specifically for your unique situation.

Original Medicare

Part A

Part B

Part D

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance providers as an alternative to the government-run plans. These plans bundle services from Parts A, B, and sometimes D, and may also offer vision, dental, and hearing insurance. The monthly cost depends on the plan provider.

Medigap

Medigap coverage plans are for people on Original Medicare (Parts A & B) that want additional coverage. These Medicare supplement plans can be a good option for your individual needs. There is a one-time open enrollment period when you first start Medicare Part B.

Supplemental Insurance

Whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, there may still be some health concerns that you want to cover. There’s supplemental insurance for those issues. Supplemental insurance is done by private insurance companies and has a monthly cost. However, that monthly cost can minimize the impact of larger health care issues.

A vision policy, for example, may cost $10 a month. But it covers a pair of glasses up to $150, as well as your eye exam. If vision is not covered by your initial Medicare plan, a supplemental vision plan can eliminate that high one-time cost. This way, you can afford to get new glasses or contacts as your vision changes.

Supplemental policies include:

Cancer
Critical Care
Dental
Vision
Short-Term Care

Enrolling in Medicare

You can self-enroll at medicare.gov. You’ll need the following information:

Basic information about yourself

Social Security number
Where you were born (city, state, country)

Health insurance information

Start and end dates for any current group health plans
Start and end dates for any group health plans after age 65

For Part B only

Valid email address
Your existing Medicare number

You can apply for Medicare alone, or you can apply for Medicare and SSI benefits at the same time. Think carefully about whether applying for Social Security is a good idea, and ask Sandy about the impact of applying for SSA at age 65.