Many Medicare TV ads may not be able to give you the information you need about your options, but Carl Lishing, with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, certainly does

Health Markets Lakewood 49 1022
Licensed insurance agent Carl Lishing (left), with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, provides Medicare guidance at no charge to you. No pressure, no selling, just the support you need. Joining the team are agent licensed insurance agent Gabriella Andrada (right) and support person Bridget Hernandez. (Photography: Francis Angelone)

By Beth Newcomb

Flip to any channel, and you’re likely to see Medicare commercials during this time. You may not get all the information you need to make your Medicare plan decision. There could be several options with various benefits and costs. These commercials may offer a phone number to call and speak with a licensed insurance agent about your options, but the agent may not be local and familiar with the Northeast Ohio available care options.

“My role is that of a licensed insurance agent, not salesperson,” says licensed insurance agent Carl Lishing, with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. “I’ve spent considerable time learning what Medicare options are available in this area for the upcoming enrollment period, and because I live and work in Northeast Ohio, I’m well-versed in the top-tier healthcare facilities we have here.”

“When you sit down with me for a review, I’ll spend the time getting to know you and your personal situation, including which doctors you visit, prescriptions you take, which hospital you prefer, and what your health history is,” Carl continues. “Then, once I have all the pertinent data, I’ll present you with a number of different options so you can choose the one that best meets your needs. No pressure, just personalized guidance from a licensed insurance agent who will be there for you throughout the year—not just during a 15-second TV spot.”

Many people on Medicare either continue with their current plan into the next election period or make the switch to a plan that better meets their changing needs. And if you’re a new 65 or you’ll be turning 65 in the next three months, you may be choosing a Medicare plan for the first time. The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period runs from Saturday, October 15, until Wednesday, December 7.

Wherever you fall on the Medicare spectrum, you may be feeling unsure about which plan is best for you.

“No two people have identical situations,” Carl states. “You have your own health concerns, doctors you prefer, medications you take and extras you need that are specific to you. So, your Medicare plan choice will likely be different than that of, say, your neighbor or spouse.”

It’s easy to schedule a half-hour Medicare review with Carl Lishing (right) or licensed insurance agent Gabriella Andrada (center), with HealthMarkets, and it could save you a lot of time and money. Once the enrollment period ends, they will still be there offering support and answering questions. Also pictured is Bridget Hernandez.

In Your Corner
Carl is here for you, ready to meet with you to discuss your individual situation. A recent addition to the team, Gabriella Andrada is also a licensed insurance agent ready to assist clients during the enrollment period and beyond. “I speak Spanish, so our office is able to help even more people this year,” she says. Another addition to the team is Bridget Hernandez in the role of customer and office support person.

“We’re here every day, all day, often in the evenings and on weekends to answer questions. And there’s no charge for our guidance,” Carl adds. “Instead of having to dig through a pile of information trying to decide if your plan has changed for the better or worse, or if there is another plan out there that might be better suited to your current situation, you can sit down with Gabriella or me and help you find the answer in about 30 minutes or less.”

Beefing Up the Options
Medicare plan benefits and costs can change each year. Carl and Gabriella can help you understand the plan options and whether it makes sense for you to make a change or stay in the plan you already have.

You can reach licensed insurance agent Carl Lishing at 216-228-0765. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is located at 16506 Detroit Avenue, in Lakewood. Office hours currently by appointment. Find out more at ClevelandInsurance.info.

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. Agents may be compensated based on enrollment. No obligation to enroll. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1–800–MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days a week to get information on all of your options. 49020-HM-1022