They might be told to call an 800 number with any questions they might have, which would be manned by an individual who may be responsible for talking with hundreds of seniors each day. This person will have an extremely limited amount of time to spend with the senior. Feeling rushed and even more confused, the senior will decide to stay with the familiar, traditional Medicare. This is not necessarily in the best interest of the government, or the senior. There is another option, one which optimizes the new choices for seniors, and allows them to enjoy the same right to counseling that is enjoyed by millions of Americans under age 65.
Many seniors have a trusted insurance agent they have used and relied upon over the years.
An agent can personally help seniors sort through their options and explain in detail and in person, on how each plan option works. And once plan choices have been made, the agent will, as a part of his or her service, act as an intermediary between the beneficiary and the plan, assisting the senior with questions or problems involving claims, plan benefits, and billing. Requiring licensing prevents the fly by night marketer interested only in an immediate gain from having an incentive to become involved in marketing Medicare products. With the advent of the new choices available to seniors, marketers of Medicare products, including those who are employees of insurance carriers and HMO s, should be well versed in ALL of the choices available to seniors. While a marketer who is not an agent may not have an incentive to promote a product not available from his or her company, they could at least answer basic questions seniors might have relative to available choices.