How I Help You Choose Medicare Coverage
Choosing Medicare coverage should not start with a list of insurance plans. It should start with you.
How I Help You Choose Medicare Coverage
Before I compare coverage, I want to understand where you are in the Medicare process, which doctors you use, what medications you take, and what you can comfortably afford.
Then I do the comparison work before we meet.
The goal is not to tell you which plan to buy. It is to give you enough information to understand your choices and make an informed decision.
Step 1
Do You Need Medicare Now?
One of the first things I ask is whether you are still working and whether you have health coverage through your own employer or your spouse's employer. Turning 65 does not mean everyone handles Medicare enrollment the same way. I also ask whether you are already receiving Social Security, because that can affect whether Medicare enrollment happens automatically or whether you need to take action. If you need to enroll in Medicare, I provide instructions to help you through that process.
Step 2
Scope of Appointment
Before we discuss specific Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, I obtain the required Scope of Appointment, commonly called an SOA. The SOA identifies the Medicare products you have agreed to discuss. Signing it does not obligate you to enroll.
Step 3
Tell Me About Your Doctors
I ask you to provide the doctors and specialists you currently see and where you receive your care — primary care physicians, specialists, clinics, hospitals and health systems, and other facilities important to you. This information is particularly important when evaluating Medicare Advantage plans because provider participation can vary by plan.
Step 4
Tell Me About Your Prescriptions
I also ask for your current medications, including medication name, dosage, and how often you take it. Prescription coverage can vary significantly between plans. Using your actual medication list allows me to compare what matters to you rather than relying on generic examples.
Step 5
I Build the Comparison
Before we meet, I use your information to prepare a side-by-side comparison of the Medicare coverage options that appear appropriate for your situation.
Step 6
We Review the Numbers Together
When we meet, I already have the information needed to have a meaningful conversation. We review the comparison and discuss what matters most — which doctors are important to you, whether you travel, how much monthly premium you are comfortable paying, and how much potential medical expense you are comfortable accepting.
Step 7
You Decide
I will not tell you which plan to buy. I will show you what I found, explain how the options compare, point out the advantages, disadvantages and financial exposure I see, and answer your questions. Then you decide. You are the person who will live with the coverage, premiums, provider access and medical expenses. My responsibility is to make sure you understand the choice you are making.
What the Comparison Covers
Depending on what we are evaluating, the side-by-side comparison may include one or more of the following:
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
- Monthly premium
- Medical deductible
- Prescription deductible
- Doctor and hospital networks
- Prescription costs
- HMO or PPO structure
- Copays and coinsurance
- Maximum out-of-pocket exposure
- Prior authorization
- Travel considerations
- Dental, vision and hearing benefits
Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement + Part D
- Medicare Supplement premiums
- Part D premiums
- Prescription costs
- Provider flexibility
- Expected annual insurance costs
- Longer-term premium considerations
- Differences between available Minnesota Supplement options
High Deductible Medicare Supplement Coverage
- Lower monthly Supplement premium
- Higher upfront deductible before coverage kicks in
- Suitable for those comfortable accepting more initial medical expense
- Minnesota-specific high deductible options
What Should You Have Ready?
Before your Medicare review, it helps to have:
- Your Medicare card, if you already have one
- Your current doctors and specialists
- The clinics or hospitals you use
- A current medication list with dosages and frequency
- Your preferred pharmacy
- Information about current employer or retiree coverage, if applicable
The more complete the information, the more useful the comparison can be.
Ready to Review Your Medicare Options?
Schedule a Medicare review with Fred Lang. Provide your doctors and medications before the appointment, and I will prepare the comparison so we can spend our time discussing the options that actually apply to you.