Truth of the matter is, most Medicare Insurance agents do not look like the fellow on the left so their appearance is not going to be a give-away as to whether you are dealing with a good agent or a bad one.
So how do you know if you are dealing with someone who has your best interests at heart or someone who is only out to sell you something?
In this edition of the blog, we will briefly give you the "red flag" warnings to be looking for.
Red Flag #1 -- "Get a Quote!"
Our warning is that you need to be very careful when you see this but there is a difference between a website for a specific company (like JMCole Group) and a generic "Medicare Plans" site. With these large general companies, they are generally nothing more than a lead source generator for agents. Here is how it works: "The Joe Namath Medicare Company" places ads on the TV and online. You see the pitch they give which sounds too good to be true (it is) so you call the number or hit the link. They then gather your contact number and say that an agent will call you soon to help you. While this is going on, agents from across the country pay them to provide leads...so "The Joe Namath Medicare Company" sells your information to them (and 50 others) and your phone blows up with agents from across the country calling you.
Our Advise: Never respond to the TV or internet/email ads.
Red Flag #2 -- "Captive Call Center Agents"
Our warning is that you need to be careful of talking to people who "only" sell "Company A" or "Company B." Most likely they are "captive agents" (meaning they can only sell one insurance carrier's plans). Additionally, each carrier has their own call centers. If you are talking to someone who is a captive agent with a carrier, it is not so much an issue that their plans are bad, but they are limited in the options that they can provide you and their options may not be the best in your area for your needs.
Our Advise: Talk with independent agents who represent a wide variety of companies.
Red Flag #3 -- "Door Knockers and Phone Callers"
Our warning is that people who show up at your door or call your phone are usually breaking the law. Here is the truth: it is illegal for ANYONE to knock at your door or call you UNLESS you have given them permission to contact you. This rule applies to talking to you about Medicare Advantage plans. Now here is where it gets a little murky. It IS legal to come to your door and/or call you to talk about Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap). Why is this legal? It's the government and nothing they do makes sense. What these people will do is try to talk to you about Medicare Supplements and if you tell them that you have an Advantage Plan, they will pivot and talk to you about those (since you brought it up) and now they have their foot in the door (so to speak). Their only goal is to sell you something - they don't even care what they sell you nor do they have your best interest at heart.
Our Advise: Never respond to someone who shows up at your door and hang up on callers.
Red Flag #4 -- "Charging for 'unbiased' Medicare Advise"
Our warning is that there are people who sell themselves as "Medicare Advisers." These are people who are not insurance agents (some even work for non-profit agencies) and they try to give you "unbiased" advice on which plans you should choose. Many of these companies charge you a fee (often in the hundreds) but even if it is free from a local government or non-profit agency...be very careful. Truth of the matter is that every independent insurance agent is usually very unbiased. At JMCole Group, for instance, we never charge you a dime and we represent all the companies in the area. We sit down with you to work together on which plan is best for your health and financial needs.
Our Advise: Always work through an independent Medicare insurance agent. (check their reviews before you work with them).
Red Flag #5 -- Get the Sale vs Relationships
Our warning is that there are lots of agents who are only interested in selling you something so they will hurry the conversation and decision-making process; they will limit the details; and they will pressure you to make a decision quickly. That is not what you want as your healthcare is a very important decision that you are making. You want someone to be your agent with whom you can have a relationship with. They need to be willing to take the time to understand your life, health, and financial issues. Truth is, at JMCole Group we view our clients as friends and it is our goal to have a relationship with each and every person for the rest of their life.
Our Advise: Check their google reviews and choose one that you feel like you would enjoy chatting with over coffee (or something stronger). Build that relationship and you will get your best service.
If you would like our help, feel free to call us (541-554-8382) or email (johnc@jmcolegroup.com).
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