Such printed materials might show, for example, Managed Care options with a choice of multiple provider networks for a single plan, with the requirement that all primary and specialty care be obtained through the same provider network option. To answer questions, older beneficiaries will be told to call an 800 number, which will 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, and may become impatient with the senior s desire to talk in detail about the available choices. Feeling rushed and even more confused, the senior will decide to just stay with the familiar, traditional Medicare. 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, how each plan option works. An agent s knowledge of the senior will enable them to point out the HMO plan that offers coverage of prescription drugs to the senior on an extremely limited budget, or the ease of a PPO plan to the senior who is unlikely to adjust well to seeing her primary care physician to obtain a referral for specialty care. 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. Insurance agents must be licensed by the state where they reside and practice, and in most states must complete continuing education every year in order to keep that license. Agents are used extensively by the insurance industry to market health insurance and related products.