New York Medicare Agents
WNY Medicare Advisors
Location: Buffalo, Rochester and Southern Tier
We are Independent Agents in Lancaster, New York, free to choose the best carrier for your insurance needs. We do not work for an insurance company; we work for you.
The Modern Medicare Agency
Location: Huntington, N.Y.
Paul Barrett – Your Trusted Medicare Advisor
Navigating Medicare can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be. I’m Paul Barrett, the founder of The Modern Medicare Agency, and I’ve been helping people make confident Medicare decisions since 2007.
The Popel Insurance Group
Location: Brooklyn/Kings
Nolan Popel – I am a Medicare insurance agent with sixteen years of experience. As an independent agent I am able to work with major carriers as well as many local and regional insurance companies. This gives me the ability to offer the Medicare coverage option that will best fit each client’s individual needs.
Craig Smith Insurance
Location:
Our team of Medicare agents provide expert advice and consultation on all areas of Medicare. Our team specializes in Medicare and consists of several experienced independent agents.
Clarity Group
Location:
You have important decisions to make when you become eligible for Medicare. Our goal is to help you understand your options and feel confident about choosing coverage based on your needs, when you first enroll and every year after that.
How to Find a New York Medicare Agent: Six Questions to Ask
Making the right choice for your Medicare plan is crucial to ensure you have the coverage you need but don’t spend more than necessary. Since there are so many options, it’s often difficult to know which to choose. An experienced Medicare agent will help you assess your choices to find the ideal plan for you.
First, though, you need to pick the right Medicare agent. Ask the following questions to find a qualified agent.
1. What kinds of Medicare plans do you sell?
There are a few types of Medicare plans. Some agents specialize in just one type (such as Medicare Advantage), whereas others sell a full range of products, including drug coverage from Part D. If you’re unsure about what kind of plan you want, it will be helpful to work with an agent who sells a wide variety. Furthermore, if you qualify for Medicaid (or think you might), you should look for an agent who offers dual-eligible Medicare plans.
2. What carriers do you work with?
Another way to evaluate whether an agent offers enough variety is to ask how many carriers the agent represents. It’s unlikely you’ll find someone offering plans from all the carriers in your area, but agents should at least work with two or three of the largest brands on a national level as well as a couple major players at a state or county level.
3. How long have you been selling Medicare?
It’s helpful to find an agent who has been selling Medicare in your area for at least a few years. This will mean the agent has a good understanding of Medicare regulations and plan options.
4. How do you support clients during the rest of the year?
Your Medicare agent should be a trusted advisor you can turn to for advice throughout the year, not just right before you choose a plan. You also want your agent to be able to resolve any issues that crop up — to ensure you never have problems receiving healthcare. When you ask an agent how he or she supports clients, expect answers such as:
- Support filing appeals if you’re denied care
- Help with claims processing errors
- Evaluating your options every fall to determine if you should change to a different plan
- Providing assistance during a special enrollment period — this applies if your circumstances change during the year and mean you need to change plan
5. What areas of New York do you serve?
Each Medicare plan available in New York covers a particular area. It’s important to find an agent who works in your area to ensure you’re able to choose from a variety of plans that cover healthcare services near you.
6. Do you help clients find out if they qualify for financial assistance?
If you may qualify for financial assistance, it’s important to work with an agent who is familiar with state and federal programs that may be relevant to you. Receiving financial aid will reduce the amount you pay out of pocket for medical care and prescriptions.
When you meet with an agent you should never feel pressured or obligated to buy anything. You should feel comfortable with their personality and communication style since this is someone you hope to build a long term relationship with.
Note: Silver&Smart does not endorse any specific Medicare agents and we do not sell any Medicare plans. We simply provide listings of Medicare agents available in your state. Many of these agents offer multiple plans. We have not vetted the agents who have purchased listings on this website, so please interview them, ask questions, and select an agent that best meets your needs. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options.