Kelly Cordes’ Top Tips for Medicare and Health Coverage Options

I give my listeners the opportunity to tell me about things that matter to them ... and what I've learned about people in our community is that they have legitimate concerns about their aging parents regarding Medicare — what they need, how will they afford it, how many options are there, where do we go for help, and can we trust the people that are supposedly helping us make these important decisions?

That's why I decided to work with Paul and Patricia Hamilton of Medicare Insurance Advisors of Sartell. They are people I've known and trusted for years, who live right here at home, and who represent not just one but many different companies. They can look at what our needs are and help us make the best decisions regarding our future.

Here are some of the Medicare basics you'll want to know as you get started:

1) Medicare is divided into four parts: Parts A and B (Original Medicare), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medicare Advantage allows participants to get the same coverage as Parts A and B, but through a private insurer, while Part D helps pay for prescriptions that aren't covered by Parts A and B.

2) Be strategic about prescription costs. Not only should you check with your doctor to see if any of your prescriptions are available in cheaper generic form, but as you're shopping for prescription drug coverage, you'll want to make sure your pharmacy is included in the insurance network. More and more prescription plans are adopting a network format, which means some pharmacies might not be part of the network.

3) If you have insurance from an employer or retiree insurance from a former job, you should check to see how it fits in with Medicare. You might still want to enroll in Original Medicare or it might make sense to get additional private insurance.

4) Check your doctor(s) affiliations when you evaluate Part C plans. It's important that they are in-network for the plan you choose.

5) Don't put off enrolling. If you wait too long, you may end up paying more and have fewer choices in the future.

6) You'll want to check your coverage each year to make sure it's still the best fit. The annual enrollment period is Oct. 15-Dec. 7, with plan shopping starting Oct. 1.

Not only can Paul and Patricia Hamilton of Medicare Insurance Advisors explain the details that relate to your circumstances, but they can give you a free quote comparison from more than 20 companies. Yes, you read that right — all their services are free to clients.

They have more than 15 years of experience with Medicare insurance and offer unbiased advice. I'm so happy to know that if my parents need a little extra help unraveling the tangled web that is Medicare coverage, Medicare Insurance Advisors will make sure we have the best plan that will work for us.

To get started, call 320-654-6100 or visit medicareinsadvisors.com. Tell 'em I sent you!