Page 21 - North Haven Magazine Issue 32 Winter 2024

Medicare Insurance Questions?

203-239-4044

NICK CASELLA
Sick of Those

Medicare Commercials Yet?

hese days, I find myself watching cials can be misleading. In fact, we
Tvery little TV because it is not as have had a few of our clients call the
relaxing as it used to be. Between numbers from these commercials only
negative news and TV programs that to be disappointed because they did
lack quality and substance, I am very not qualify for the enhanced benefits
selective on what I will watch. Add to due to income requirements. Some
that the increasing number of commer- were enrolled into a new plan and
cials, it is enough to drive you insane. learned later that some of their doc-
tors or prescriptions were not covered.
One client had to postpone his surgery
because the plan they enrolled him in
did not have his surgeon in the net-
work. Fortunately, once we learned
of his situation, we were able to enroll
him in the right plan, although, that is
not always possible.
In other cases, Medicare consumers While Medicare Advantage plans have
are receiving phone calls from people become very popular and offer good
claiming they are from Social Security coverage for Medicare consumers,
or Medicare and that they will lose their there is always the option of Medicare
benefits if they do not make a change. Supplement Insurance and Part D
Some consumers are being told that prescription plans to consider. That is
they qualify for low-income subsidies, why it is important to speak with a lo-
Speaking of commercials, how about “Extra Help”, when, in reality, they do cal agent who specializes in Medicare
those nonstop Medicare Commer- not. Remember, Social Security and Insurance before you enroll in a plan.
cials? I am in the Medicare Insurance Medicare do NOT call consumers di- Calling a toll-free number to get advice
business and it makes me uneasy to rectly. All correspondence from Feder- from a stranger is never a good idea.
watch them. They utilize the power al agencies is done by mail in their of-
of “Celebrity” endorsements and they ficial envelopes. So, do not be fooled
make claims such as “Zero Premium”, by marketing pieces that mention So-
“Zero Copays” and “Zero Deductibles”. cial Security or Medicare.
But wait! If you call now, they can
throw in Dental, Vision, Hearing Aids, In my opinion, most of the commer- Call Us Today!
Groceries, etc., etc. Don’t forget about cials we are referring to do nothing but
the money you can get back from So- cheapen the true value of Medicare
cial Security if you qualify. Advantage plans. When you call the 203-239-4044
toll-free number, you are getting some-
Frankly speaking, while most Medi- one out-of-state whose sole purpose is
care Advantage plans offer some of to make a sale, not looking out for your
these extra benefits, these commer- best interest.

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