By Lori Smith
Local Niceville resident Greg Durette believes in getting a real live and local person on the phone when you call! As a local representative of Florida Blue specializing in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement products for seniors in our area, Greg says this is the time of year when you should review your Medicare coverage and make important decisions about your coverage for 2020.
“One of the pieces of advice I offer to beneficiaries every year is to get started on this process now,” says Greg. “By doing so, you’ll have plenty of time to review your options before the Open Enrollment Period ends on December 7th.”
Greg says Interpreting insurance benefits can be confusing at any age but, understanding healthcare options for those 65 and older can be even more difficult. He says the already complex system is further muddied by the barrage of annual advertising from insurance companies.
Greg suggests considering these three things when shopping for Medicare Advantage plans:
Choice: When it comes to Medicare, one size does not fit all — what works for your neighbor may not work for you. Take the time to learn and understand the benefits and costs of each plan so you can feel confident in your decision and your health care coverage.
Care: Care starts with a strong relationship with your primary care provider. If your plan has a network, make sure you’re comfortable with the doctors and hospitals in the network. Also, check to see if your plan will coordinate your care with the rest of your providers.
Experience: Medicare can be complex and confusing. It’s important to find a seasoned agent that works for you and supports you throughout your health care journey with plan benefits and resources that can help you live more and worry less.
“Since Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies, one excellent feature is they have more freedom and motivation to include extra benefits like; vision, gym memberships, dental and more,” says Greg.
Greg is a local agent – not someone on a toll-free number in New York or Chicago. If you have a question, even if you are on a different plan, you can call Greg at (850) 842-2400. Greg will use his 36 years of insurance knowledge and experience to help you, not only understand the different types of insurance based financial products in the marketplace, but also give you valuable insights on how to choose the right ones for you and your family.
