BUSINESS PROFILE: DBE Insurance & The Medicare Duo, Litchfield & New London
The Medicare Duo can help those age 65 and older find the right Medicare plan
By Jim Palmer
Americans age 65 years and older are all eligible for Medicare. For those eligible, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is coming up (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). During this time, you can make any adjustments to your current plan. With changes to Medicare plans happening every year, it is important to stay on top of the changes. Since most people are not well versed in Medicare, this is where The Medicare Duo comes in.
Typically, most people don’t have a good understanding of how Medicare truly works,” said Brent Brekke, partner/agent with The Medicare Duo. “Individuals are usually coming off a career in which they were enrolled in company group benefits and while on group benefits they didn’t have to shop or look for options. Their employer did all the shopping and comparing for them.”
Brekke and his crew meets with those recently turning 65 to discuss their situation and needs. They also educate them and give them options. And then they are available to meet each year to discuss any adjustments that may need to be made.
“We just try to educate people so they have a clear decision instead of having someone just calling them from a 1-800 number telling them to ‘just buy this one,’” said Brekke. “We will want to look at where they are doctoring, what their current health condition looks like, and what they may have in the horizon in terms of work and procedures. We also want to look at the prescriptions that you use, as you can only change your prescription plan once each year, so that is a big one. ”
The Medicare Duo is an independent insurance agency, and Brekke said that is important because they can search plans from a variety of carriers/insurance companies to find the right policy for their clients, instead of relying on just one.
“Our focus is to shop local, provide good customer service, always follow through, and help our clients find the right providers,” he said.
Brekke encourages people to connect with them for a no cost one-to-one meeting to discuss the plans, and then select one that works best with the client’s health conditions, current prescriptions and price points.
“We know about every plan that can be considered in Minnesota, especially all the counties we serve, which includes Meeker, Stearns, Kandiyhoi, McLeod, Wright and Renville counties.
Even if you are not going to go with us, I encourage people to deal with a local rep that understands your county and your needs in that county,” said Brekke.
This year, there are several major changes that could affect a person’s plan, said Brekke. Included in those changes...
• A new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap which is likely going to change the premiums on drug plans
• The elimination of the coverage gap phase for the drug plans
• A higher share of drug costs are paid by Part D plans in the catastrophic phase
• A new manufacturer price discount and reduced liability for Medicare in this phase
• Changes to plan costs and the manufacturer price discount in the initial coverage phase.
Besides one-to-one meetings with their clients, The Medicare Duo works to provide education in more public settings.
“Education is very important,” said Brekke. “We hold weekly educational marketing meetings to help those gearing up to enter Medicare. Our meeting dates during AEP are...
• Oct. 15 -New London, United MN Bank, Community Room
• Oct. 22 - Litchfield Public Library
• Nov. 5 - Rocori Community Education
• Nov. 12 - Dassel History Center
• Nov. 19 - New London United MN Bank, Community Room
• Nov. 26 - Litchfield Public Library
Our main goal with our clients is to educate them about Medicare, what options they have available to them for medical and prescription plans now, during the year and as well each year during the annual enrollment period. We encourage our clients to call us with any questions, issues, or concerns at all times.”
The Medicare Duo has locations in Litchfield and New London so clients can walk in anytime and get questions answered. And Brekke and others from The Medicare Duo team will go to client’s homes if that is requested.
“We have two storefronts, we travel door to door, and we help clients at their houses if they want us to,” said Brekke. “You have to have someone who is going to be there for you and knows the area. That is the big thing -- find someone local, find good representation, and find someone who is doing the right thing for you.”
How much does it cost for these one-to-one meetings, these plan reviews, the year-round customer service and the public meetings? Absolutely nothing.
“All of our weekly educational marketing meetings, our in person face to face meetings, guidance during the year, and annually is done at no charge to the clients,” said Brekke.
One person who found someone to be there for her was Jean L. of Litchfield, a long-time client of DBE Insurance.
“I have been with DBE for several years with my auto insurance, and more recently, they have also been helping me with Medicare. They have been very helpful,” said Jean. “Much of the information on Medicare is over my head, difficult to understand. They have been helpful pointing me in the right direction. They are very supportive and encouraging and, really, I would be lost without them.”
And a visit to one of their offices has been a good experience, too.
“One of the things that they are known for is their good customer service. I’m always greeted by a friendly face at the front desk and they have been very helpful on everything I have asked,” said Jean. “I would definitely recommend DBE Insurance.”
Need to sign up for Medicare? Want to make changes to your current plan? In need of a review of your current plan? Now is the time to sign up or make changes for the next year.
“The beauty of the AEP is that we can review it each year between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7,” said Brekke. “For example, if you are on a Cost Plan in Meeker or McLeod and something changed (medical condition) they can move over to a different plan and it could be better and more affordable.”
And if there are questions before or after the AEP, The Medicare Duo is just a call, email or text away.
“We are definitely here to provide that support.” said Brekke. “The easiest thing for people to do is call us or come in and ask us questions. It costs them nothing to set up an appointment and go over what we feel is the best policy for them.”
“Not only is it OK to call us when things come up, but we encourage them to call us,” said Jaime Liestman, The Medicare Duo office manager. “It saves headaches in the long run.”
Besides Medicare, other services offered include numerous insurances: Life, Auto, Home, Vision, Health, Dental, Liability, Business, Disability, Animal, Recreational Vehicles, Annuities, Long Term Care, 401(k) Rollovers, Debt Free Program, Retirement Planning, Employer Group Benefits, and Group Benefits Administration.
Anyone who is 65 years of age in America is eligible for Medicare regardless of whether or not you are receiving Social Security benefits. People who have qualified for 24 months of Social Security Disability also are eligible.
If you are currently eligible for Medicare or are near the age of Medicare eligibility, it is important to sign up with Medicare. Signing up as soon as you are eligible can avoid a costly late enrollment penalty.
“If someone is interested in scheduling an appointment for the AEP, I encourage them to call and schedule a time that works for them so we get them taken care of by Dec. 7,” said Brekke.
The Medicare Duo in Litchfield is located at 32 East Second Street. For information or to make an appointment, call 320-593-4968. The Medicare Duo in New London is located at 105 Central Avenue East in New London. Their phone number is 320-354-2900.
To learn more, visit their web site at www.medicareduo.com or Facebook at Medicare Duo.
This is a paid business profile. If you would like to learn more about promoting your business in the Sr. Perspective with a business profile, call Jim at 320-334-3344.
Comments