Here’s what HealthMarkets Insurance Agent Mike Felice says is happening with Medicare, right now
By Beth Newcomb
Fear of change, information overload and complacency are just some of the reasons people on Medicare stay put in their plans when the annual enrollment period comes around. “It can be difficult to know what to do,” says Mike Felice, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. “Many people do nothing, and miss out on benefits they could be taking advantage of. Others stick with a plan that no longer meets their needs, but don’t realize it until that first doctor or pharmacy visit of the year.”
This year, the annual enrollment period for Medicare is Monday, October 15, through Friday, December 7. This is the time, Mike says, to evaluate your current plan to see if it’s still the best fit for you in the coming year. It’s also the time to learn about benefits that may make switching to a new plan more advantageous.
Beginning in 2019 and annually thereafter, a Medicare Advantage (MA) open enrollment period (OEP) will take place from January 1 through March 31. The new OEP allows individuals enrolled in an MA plan, including newly MA-eligible individuals, to make a one-time election to go to another MA plan or Original Medicare.
“You don’t want to be stuck in a plan that doesn’t work for you,” Mike suggests.
“Obviously the goal is to get it right the first time,” he adds. “That’s where I come in. I’ve done the legwork, combing through the details of the plans offered by all the major carriers. So when we schedule a time to sit down together, I’m in a position to present a number of different options to you and let you decide which one best meets your needs.”
That’s one of the greatest benefits of working with Mike. Because HealthMarkets represents nearly all of the major carriers in Ohio, your Medicare review can be a one and done. “It saves people a lot of time and energy to only have to meet with one insurance agent,” he explains. “Plus, I’ll come to your home to do a review of your current health situation. I’m able to quickly boil all of the information down for you in about 45 minutes.”
Mike says some agents host group informational meetings and typically share the details of just one plan. An in-home visit puts people more at ease, he notes, and they feel more comfortable asking questions.
“I’m there to learn about your particular situation. That’s how I base my recommendations,” he says. “And because I’m not beholden to one particular company, we can really dive into how you use your plan, who your doctors are, what medications you’re taking and what your budget is.”
Medicare is highly personal, and what works for your spouse may not work for you, and what worked for you last year may not work for you this year. During this year’s annual enrollment period, that may be particularly true.
“Just about all of the carriers have gotten more aggressive with the benefits they offer in an effort to attract more business,” Mike reveals. “You’ve got drawers full of stuff, a house full of stuff and a garage full of stuff, why not have a Medicare plan full of stuff? By making a change this year, you might be able to get additional benefits that you could find very useful, without having to pay more money. All you have to do is schedule a review.”
In fact, tapping into Mike’s knowledge base won’t cost a thing. Your review, his service and his guidance are all free of charge.
Meet Mike
Mike knows that people feel more comfortable inviting someone into their home that they know and trust. So here’s some background on the guy you’ll be entrusting your Medicare needs to.
Mike is a devoted family man and has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 20 years. They share three children together, Ryan, 18, Adam, 16 and Jenna, 15. Mike grew up in Westlake and moved to Strongsville after he and Debbie had their second child.
Ryan just went off to college, Adam and Jenna are actively involved at school, and Debbie keeps things together on the home front as a stay-at-home mom.
When he’s not helping people navigate the often-confusing Medicare waters, Mike says he loves to involve himself in family activities. “We are avid sports fans and try to catch a game whenever we can,” he smiles.
Mike has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly 11 years and counts cultivating and maintaining relationships with his clients among his greatest professional accomplishments.
Mike Felice of HealthMarkets Insurance Agency has an office at 25118 Lorain Road, Suite 1, in North Olmsted. Hours are by appointment and you can reach him at 440-378-4210. You can schedule a time to meet with him at the office, or he’s happy to visit with you on your own turf or a location of your choosing. As the Medicare annual enrollment period is already heating up, the time to schedule your free review with Mike is right now.
HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. No cost or obligation to enroll. Agents may be compensated based on enrollment. HMIA006091