No pressure, no selling, just the support you need for Medicare guidance

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Licensed insurance agent Carl Lishing, of HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, provides Medicare guidance at no charge to you. No pressure, no selling, just the support you need. (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Beth Newcomb

If you’re on Medicare, the best word to describe your status in September might have been, “bombarded.” You probably received a huge influx of telephone calls, mail and email about your Medicare options for the Annual Election Period, happening Friday,

October 15, until Tuesday, December 7. Turn on the television and your favorite and not-so-favorite former football players are there, smiling and encouraging you to call the number on your screen. It can be overwhelming.

“I get calls from people all of the time confused about what to do or telling me they responded to a solicitation and ended up in a Medicare plan they know nothing about,” says Carl Lishing, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. “It can be a challenge to not only understand the options available to you, but also feel confident about the choice you make.”

Everyone on Medicare either continues with their current plan into the next election period or makes 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’ll be choosing a Medicare plan for the first time.

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.”

In Your Corner
Carl is here for you, ready to meet with you to discuss your individual situation.

“I’m here every day, all day, often in the evenings and on weekends to answer questions. And there’s no charge for my guidance,” he says. “My focus is on getting to know you personally. I want to get as much information as possible about you so that when I present your Medicare options to you, you’ll feel confident that you’re making an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.”

“It’s not a requirement to meet with me, but why wouldn’t you take advantage of the free guidance?” Carl asks. “I’m a local agent who spends hours reviewing all of the changes to Medicare plans. I also get licensed each year. So, 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 me and have that answer in about 30 minutes or less. This could be one of the smartest half-hour investments you’ll ever make.”

Carl cuts through the clutter and confusion and provides sound guidance. He says that for him, it’s about helping people choose what they need, not selling anything.

The Competition is Fierce
Medicare plan providers want your business. It’s that simple.

“I’m seeing plans with more benefits added,” Carl shares. “It makes sense to review your options to find out if you could be getting more in your Medicare plan, without paying more.”

Carl Lishing, of HealthMarkets, has a brick-and-mortar office in Lakewood. You can schedule a time to meet with him there, or at another location of your choosing, for a free Medicare review.

Every year there are carrier changes, whether new Medicare providers enter the market or existing carriers change their plans. So, the plan you had last year could be different this year, or a different plan may be of benefit.

“People don’t like to leave their comfort zone,” Carl relates. “But Medicare is one area where making a change could be the right option. A review can reveal a lot.”

His Guidance is Free
Because HealthMarkets agents aren’t captive, meaning they don’t work for a particular insurance carrier, they direct their efforts toward clients, helping them navigate the sometimes-baffling waters of Medicare. And the cost for a one-on-one review and his guidance? Nothing. All time spent with Carl is absolutely free, whether you contact him during the annual election period or you have questions that need to be answered once your plan has been selected.

Meet Carl
Carl lives in the Edgewater area with his wife and three kids, two of whom have left the nest for college. He’s been married for over 20 years and spends as much of his free time as possible on Lake Erie.

His wife, Jenny, is involved in the business and hers is often the warm voice you’ll hear on the other end of the line when you call.

Licensed insurance agent Carl Lishing’s consultative, problem-solving approach has garnered him the Best of Cleveland Award in the insurance agent category for the second year in a row. You can reach him 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. 48045-HM-1021