Looking for Medicare in Michigan?

The Brouwers Agency has got you covered. We can help you with understanding the basics of all Medicare options and it's coverages, as well as help you purchase Medigap, Medicare Advantage (MA), and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in the marketplace.

Transitioning into retirement can be a complicated process, and we are here to help you breeze through one of the more intricate and important tasks- getting the right health insurance in place. Clean, quick, and efficient, we will find a policy tailor made for you needs.

What are the main Parts of Medicare?

Part A- This part covers hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health services.

Part B- Outpatient and professional services such as those provided by a doctor or non-physician professional, clinical lab services, durable medical equipment, and other medical devices. Examples- Physical Therapy, Preventative Services, Routine Blood Tests, etc.

*Parts A & B make up what is called Original Medicare

Part C- Medicare Advantage- this is a private insurance policy that replaces Original Medicare and by law must have at least as good of benefits and cost sharing. Almost always includes Prescription Drug coverage in it.

Part D- Prescription Drug Coverage- this is only for people who stay with Original Medicare instead of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare does not cover Prescription Drugs

Part E- Medigap/Medicare Supplement- Private plans that help people who stay with Original Medicare to pay for out of pocket expenses such as deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, etc. Does not include coverage for Prescription Drugs. Works in coordination with Original Medicare and a PDP.

*Important to note that you cannot be enrolled in a Medigap/PDP  and a Medicare Advantage policy at the same time.

Picking the right option just for You

One of the most important things to understand about Medicare is that it is NOT one size fits all. Although there are some core basics that apply to all beneficiaries, there can be great difference between you and everyone else such as prescription drug needs, doctor/hospital networks, travel plans, and health issues. It is important to find a fine tuned plan specific to your needs so you maximize the money you spend for the care you receive.

Because The Brouwers Agency is 100% independent, we can take your current needs/info and get quotes from a wide range of insurance providers to see who offers you the best deal possible.

The best part? It doesn't cost you a penny more to use us. We are compensated by the insurance carriers directly, and work on your behalf to properly cover your needs and exposures, and make sure that there are no hidden gaps in your policy.

No two insurance contracts are the same, and while two policies side-by-side might look the same, the fine print behind the cover page can vary drastically from company to company.

This means you need someone who truly understands policy contracts, like us, to sort through the exclusions and conditions for you, so you can rest easy knowing that you have the best possible coverage at the best price without having to learn legal jargon.

 

Important factors to consider when choosing a Medicare plan

Like we said before, Medicare is not one size fits all. It is very important to take into account your specific needs and situation when choosing a plan.

What networks are your doctors or preferred hospitals in?

This is probably the most important thing to consider, as network discounts can play a large role in how much you will pay for services. For example, with a Medigap policy you are able to visit any doctor that accepts Medicare patients with generally no cost difference between doctors. With Medicare Advantage (MA), there are often strict guidelines about which doctors participate in a particular plan's network, and pricing can differ significantly between in and out of network treatment. MA plans often will not cover out of network non-emergency treatment at all.

What does your retirement budget look like?

We want to make sure you are maximizing every dollar you spend on health insurance, so you are free to chase down your retirement dreams! Part of that is mapping out your budget and how much you can spend on Medicare. In addition to your part B premium (insert link to Part B premium chart), you are responsible for a Medigap/PDP or Medicare Advantage plan premium each month. Depending on the private plan you choose, prices can range from $0 to about $150 per month. But with the lower monthly premium comes higher cost sharing (deductibles, coinsurance, etc) when purchasing health services. Be sure to plan for the best and worst case scenarios- what can you afford, and not afford to have happen?

How is your current health?

If you are dealing with a serious or debilitating issue, that will absolutely play a role in what plan you should choose. If you are using health services frequently, a plan with a higher monthly premium and lower cost sharing when using services may be the better fit. Also, if seriously ill or injured, eligibility and medial underwriting guidelines may vary from plan to plan.

If you are in good health and rarely use health services, perhaps a plan that has a lower monthly premium but higher cost sharing would be a better fit.

 

Our tutorials

Below are links to a variety of videos that will guide you through some more detailed nuances of Medicare options, premiums, coverages, timelines, etc. We hope you enjoy!

• Medigap v s. Medicare Advantage
• Basics of Original Medicare
• Timeline of Signing up for Original Medicare

 

How to get started with your Medicare quotes

If you live in Michigan and are interested in partnering with The Brouwers Agency to service your Medicare needs, let's get going!

To get started, call our office directly at 616-891-0123, or follow this link https://www.brouwersagency.com/medicare-quote to fill out a form that gives us some basic info about you.