Have you noticed that when you reach age 65 or older, your friends start to offer you advice on a lot of decisions you’re facing?
While your friends have your best interests at heart, your friends are usually offering advice that has more to do with their own issues than with yours:
- “I’m living in Washington’s Woods Crossing, a gated community with a pool, and you should move here too.”
- “It’s time for you to kick your son out of your basement so he can learn to live on his own and you can live the way you want to.”
- “You should move to Florida or New Hampshire, where there is no income tax.”
- “You should get a reverse mortgage and pry some of the equity out of your home.”
- “You should sell your stocks and invest in U.S. Treasury Bonds.”
You’ve heard it all. But you know your life better than anyone. They don’t.
And When It Comes to Medicare Decisions
The most common piece of advice you get is, “You should sign up for the same Medicare Advantage Plan that I have (or for the same Part D or other options) – I love it and it covers everything and it works great for me.”
But do your friends know what that “best” is and how are they defining it? Medicare and health isa persona decision so before you follow their advice, take a little time to assess whether your health coverage needs are the same as your friends.
Here are some smart questions to consider as you select the best plan for you:
- Am I currently still enrolled in an employer’s health care program, how well is it meeting my needs, and should I stay enrolled in it?
- Does my spouse also need coverage, and how does that impact on my choice of a plan?
- Are there specific health issues I am facing (like Diabetes type 2, prostate cancer that needs to be monitored, hip replacements, or other needs), and does the coverage I am picking pay for them?
- Am I using an expensive medication that might not be covered by all plans?
- Am I thinking of moving to a different part of the country where different plans might offer different kinds of policies and coverage?
- Is my spouse facing a chronic disease and I need to make sure care for it will be covered indefinitely?
- Do I need specific coverage for a particular hospital or care facility that might not be covered by all plans?
- My primary care doctor is getting ready to retire and I need to know what other doctors I can select if I join a new plan.
- I have to have regular care from a specialist and I need to know what my copay amounts will be in any new plan I select.
You Need Sound Medicare Advice, Not Opinions
Although your friends might have your best interests at heart, it’s up to you to decide what is best for you. After all, you could be enrolled for years in whatever plan you pick today. It’s not like buying a car or kicking your kid out of your basement. It’s more important.
At CoverRight, we’re here to help you find the right Medicare coverage based on your needs and health situation. Reach out today and start finding the best Medicare plan for you.
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