Turning 65 and getting ready to enroll in Medicare can be an overwhelming experience. With so many Medicare plans insurance carriers and agencies to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why finding the right Medicare insurance agency to work with is so important. At our Medicare insurance agency in New Jersey, we aim to provide seniors with personalized guidance, transparent pricing, and access to top Medicare plans.
Why Work with a Medicare Insurance Agency?
Navigating Medicare on your own can be extremely confusing and risky. Health insurance terminology is complicated, plans are difficult to compare, and making the wrong choices can lead to costly coverage gaps. An experienced Medicare insurance agency acts as your personal guide through the complex process They do the “legwork” for you by
- Researching all the Medicare plans available in your area
- Answering questions and explaining how Medicare works
- Identifying the most cost-effective Medicare plans for your needs
- Handling the enrollment paperwork and plan switching
- Providing ongoing support throughout the year
It’s like having a Medicare expert in your corner! This simplified, objective approach helps remove the stress from Medicare enrollment.
What to Look for in a Medicare Agency
With hundreds of Medicare insurance agencies to choose from, it’s essential you find one you can trust. Here are the qualities that matter most
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Licensed Agents: The agents should be fully licensed by the state and certified in Medicare. This ensures you receive accurate, vetted advice.
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Local Experience: Look for an agency located in or near New Jersey. Local agents will understand the plans and providers in your area.
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Independent Agency: Independent brokers work with multiple insurance carriers, not just one. This allows them to make unbiased recommendations based on your needs.
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Established Reputation: Select an agency that’s been around for years and has many positive reviews. This suggests they provide excellent service.
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Free Assistance: The best agencies won’t charge any fees for enrollments or consultations. Be wary of agencies that charge broker fees.
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Ongoing Support: A good agency will be there for you long after you enroll with help managing your claims, billing questions, and yearly changes.
When searching for a Medicare agency near you, keep these tips in mind as you evaluate your options.
Medicare Basics: What You Need to Know
Before you can make smart Medicare decisions, it helps to understand the basics. Here is a quick primer on Medicare:
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Medicare Part A: Hospital insurance that helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care.
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Medicare Part B: Medical insurance for doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, mental health services, and more.
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Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Bundled plans from private insurers that package Parts A, B, and usually D together. Can include extra benefits like dental and vision.
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Medicare Part D: Prescription drug coverage that helps pay for your medications. Can be added to Original Medicare or purchased with a Medicare Advantage plan.
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Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): Additional coverage from private insurers that helps pay for Original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and coinsurance.
Learning these Medicare basics allows you to better evaluate the types of plans and insurance carriers when shopping for coverage. Be sure to also understand Medicare enrollment periods so you don’t miss important deadlines.
Why Choose Our Medicare Insurance Agency in NJ?
Our Medicare insurance agency proudly serves New Jersey residents. We are a family-owned agency located in Freehold that has provided Medicare guidance to seniors for over 30 years. Here’s what sets our agency apart:
Licensed, Local Agents: Our experienced team of agents hold active licenses in NJ and have specialized Medicare training. We only serve clients in New Jersey so we understand the local healthcare system.
Year-Round Support: We support our clients before, during, and after enrollment. You can call us anytime you have a Medicare question!
Medicare Plan Expertise: We stay up-to-date on all the Medicare plans available from leading national and regional insurance carriers. This allows us to match you with plans that suit your medical needs and budget.
Complimentary Assistance: Our services are completely free. You pay the same plan premiums as you would enrolling directly.
Medicare Workshops: We hold free educational Medicare seminars at our office each month. This is a great chance to learn alongside other soon-to-be retirees.
Partnerships with Doctors: We maintain close referral relationships with doctors, medical groups, and clinics. Your doctor trusts us to guide you through your Medicare choices.
5-Star Google Rating: See our 350+ positive online reviews. NJ seniors rave about our friendly, thoughtful Medicare guidance and support.
We strive to simplify Medicare and make enrolling stress-free. Contact our agency for a free consultation or to sign up for a seminar.
Medicare Plan Options in New Jersey
New Jersey has no shortage of Medicare plans to choose from. Here are the main Medicare plan options available:
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medigap plans provide supplemental coverage for Original Medicare. They help pay for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that would otherwise be out-of-pocket. The most popular Medigap plans in New Jersey are Plans F, G, and N.
Medicare Advantage
These bundled plans include all the coverage of Part A and Part B. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage. There are several types including HMOs, PPOs, and Private Fee-for-Service plans. Top companies in NJ include Aetna, Cigna, and Humana.
Part D Prescription Plans
If you want to add drug coverage to Original Medicare, you can enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan. Companies offering Part D plans in NJ include Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare, and many more.
Medicare Cost Plans
A type of Medicare Advantage plan that allows you to see providers outside the plan’s network for the same cost as Original Medicare. Medicare Cost plans are only available in certain counties of NJ.
When weighing your Medicare plan choices, be sure to compare premium costs, deductibles, provider networks, drug formularies, and out-of-pocket limits. Our licensed agents can explain the plans and provide personalized plan recommendations.
When to Enroll in Medicare in New Jersey
Enrollment timing is very important when transitioning to Medicare at 65. Here are key enrollment periods to know:
Initial Enrollment Period: The three months before, during, and after your 65th birthday month. Enroll on-time to avoid penalties.
Annual Election Period: October 15 – December 7 each year. Switch Medicare plans for the upcoming year.
Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year. Switch Advantage plans and Part D plans.
If retiring before 65, there are also important enrollment rules. We suggest consulting with one of our Medicare experts to ensure you don’t miss key deadlines and face gaps in coverage.
Mistakes to Avoid with Medicare Enrollment
Many seniors make mistakes when first enrolling in Medicare. Here are some common errors to avoid:
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Not signing up on-time when turning 65 and delaying coverage.
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Failing to match your Medigap open enrollment period with your Part B start date.
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Choosing an Advantage plan with a poor network for your doctors and prescriptions.
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Selecting a plan with high out-of-pocket costs you can’t afford.
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Buying too much or too little coverage.
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Not re-evaluating your plan needs each Annual Election Period.
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Letting your Medigap guaranteed issue rights expire.
The good news is all these pitfalls can be prevented! Our experienced Medicare insurance agents educate you on the rules and guide you through a smooth enrollment process.
How Our Agency Can Help Seniors in New Jersey
As a trusted Medicare insurance agency, we help New Jersey seniors in a variety of ways including:
- Answering all your Medicare questions in simple terms
- Researching Medicare plan options from top carriers
- Comparing plans side-by-side to fit your needs and budget
- Enrolling you in Medicare coverage and handling all paperwork
- Assisting with billing issues, resolving claims, and coordinating benefits
- Saving you money on premiums and prescription costs
- Helping you get the most value from your Medicare benefits
- Analyzing and optimizing your plans each year during open enrollment
We act as your Medicare advocates! There is never any fee or obligation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate Medicare in New Jersey.
Why should work with New Jersey Medicare Brokers
We work with almost all insurance companies in New Jersey. If we don’t work with your plan, we can still help you understand what it covers.
New Jersey Medicare Brokers is paid by insurance companies, and there is no cost to work with us.
We only work in New Jersey, but we can help you no matter where in the Garden State you live.
We also assist with applications to the State of New Jersey’s medication assistance programs, NJ PAAD and Senior Gold.
What Our Customers Are Saying
We are so glad you’re here!
This is the team at New Jersey Medicare Brokers. We can help you pick the best Medicare health insurance plan for you. We listen to your unique situation, teach you about how Medicare works, and help you find the plan that covers your medications and doctors you see the best at a price you can afford each month.
It is important to have a licensed insurance broker in New Jersey to help you choose the right Medicare plan because there are so many to choose from.
Medicare Supplement Plans in New Jersey – Plans & Rates
FAQ
What is the average cost of Medicare in NJ?
What’s the difference between a Medicare agent and a Medicare broker?
How do I contact Medicare in New Jersey?
What is Medicare in New Jersey?
For most American citizens, Medicare is the health insurance from the government after reaching the age of 65. To qualify for Medicare in the state of New Jersey, you need to be a naturalized American citizen or permanent legal resident for at least five years and:
How much does Medicare cost in New Jersey?
Part B costs $164.90 per month but can be more if you have higher income. There are 92 Medicare Advantage Plans in the state that are an alternative to Original Medicare. Learn more about your Medicare options in New Jersey. Residents of New Jersey have multiple Medicare plans to choose from.
Where can I get help with Medicare in New Jersey?
Remember: SHIP provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. Counseling sites have been established in all 21 counties to serve you. You can also contact a SHIP counselor through your County Office on Aging.