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Monday, January 13th
SelectQuote takes pride in being a reliable insurance referral partner, offering Medicare Advantage Plans exclusively from insurers with at least an "A-" rating. This feature promises that you receive top-notch coverage no matter what plan you ultimately decide on. With nearly four decades of operation, SelectQuote itself holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a quality control system that makes it stand out from the pack.
Slow system for quotes
To get started with SelectQuote, you just need to click the "get a quote” button on the front page. This leads you to a questionnaire that includes all of your relevant personal information as well as what kind of coverage you're looking for. However, availability for calls was a little slim. The closest date for a call with SelectQuote was 2 business days away from the day we searched, which was frustrating. There was no way to get a quote or even basic information online. Speaking with a representative from the company is the only way to get any details.
Long wait, but extremely helpful reps
The call process with SelectQuote directly from the website was a little frustrating. First, when we called in, the system hung up several times before we were connected with a rep. This happened three times in a row before we tried to get SelectQuote to call us through their online questionnaire. We were told that it would take 15 minutes to hear back from SelectQuote, but the wait for us was about an hour. When we finally received a text message with a different phone number attached to call for a quote, we were connected. The rep who answered our call to facilitate a transfer was very polite, and our wait on hold was impressively short. The licensed agent provided comprehensive information, quoting policies that included prescription Xarelto at and premiums at the lowest costs. While the process of answering questions did take much longer than it does with online quotes, it was very helpful if you prefer to talk to a representative to get your questions answered.
Competitive costs for prescriptions
The pricing available through SelectQuote ranges from a monthly premium of $0 to $168. For the prescription costs, most of the plans the rep listed were $47, and most of these were the $0 monthly premium which helps keep costs down. These included Zing, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, and United Healthcare. The rep also noted that the plans that had higher monthly premiums would bring down the cost of visits to specialists, which was helpful in understanding the different costs.
Yearly pricing check-ups
SelectQuote Senior provides an ongoing service where they conduct annual check-ins to help you evaluate the plan you initially chose. This way, before you have to renew, you can make sure you're getting the best deal each time. This process proves SelectQuote's commitment to give you ongoing options that won't limit you to one plan or another.
High ratings from customers and BBB
With an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, SelectQuote shows dedication to treating clients fairly and honestly. Customers particularly praised the post-policy selection service, where they felt secure and well-supported by their representatives. They also appreciated that SelectQuote carefully vetted partner insurers, so that customers weren't bombarded by third-party providers or unwanted communication.
Great option that cares for customers
While SelectQuote may not rank among the highest sources of Medicare Advantage Plans due to the lack of online quotes and the slower-than-average call process, it's still worth it to consider its service. With SelectQuote, you can expect a thorough analysis of your situation, so you get the best policy at the best price. Plus, the company offers yearly reviews of your plan so you can change to something more affordable in the future if prices change. SelectQuote stands out as a trustworthy broker of Medicare Advantage Plans, earning a solid rating in this review.
If you or a family member is approaching the age of 65, or if you are soon eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, now is the perfect time to start looking at coverage to go along with your Medicare. While standard Medicare covers many of your medical expenses, it may be somewhat expensive. So looking into another option, Medicare Advantage Plans, might be in your best interest.
Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is an alternative to traditional Medicare offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide all the coverage of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) and often include additional benefits, such as vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage. Some plans even offer health and wellness programs to encourage preventive care like fitness, chiropractic, and physical therapy.
One way to think of a Medicare Advantage Plan is like an all-inclusive resort stay. While you need to stick with a particular hotel (or, in this case, medical network), everything is handled for you from basic meals to entertainment (or prescriptions and medical specialists). Much like an all-inclusive resort experience, Medicare Advantage consolidates various features of Medicare, so your prescription drug coverage and services like dental, vision, and hearing are all taken care of in one place. These elements would typically require piecing together separate standalone plans which can be complicated and frustrating. Instead, you can get everything you need at once.
Premiums for Medicare Advantage plans change based on the provider and the specific plan. While you might find policies with $0 monthly payments, they can come with increased out-of-pocket expenses, such as office visit copays and annual deductibles. However, basics like primary care and prescriptions are often partially (if not completely) covered. On the other hand, if you're looking to see a specialist, you might prefer a plan with a higher premium to cover the cost of those visits.
When it comes to signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, there are two ways to find what you need: approaching an insurance company directly or collaborating with a broker. Choosing an insurer you already know and trust, potentially one that has been your healthcare provider before, might be the best way to go if you're looking for peace of mind and security. Typically, you can rely on getting the lowest possible premium quotes from that particular company. However, going through a broker or referral service can help you compare policies from different insurers at a glance. In this case, you might find better coverage from a competitor, and you can trust the broker to work on your behalf.
Regardless of the path you choose, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the different Medicare Advantage Plans, their benefits, and average premium costs for your demographic (age, gender, location). This helps you avoid feeling pressured to commit to a policy that may not align with your needs. Keep in mind that to apply for any Medicare Advantage Plan, you'll need your Medicare number, so make sure you complete the necessary steps to enroll in Medicare (A and B) before selecting your Advantage coverage.
If all of this sounds like a lot, don't worry. We've got your back. To simplify the process of finding Medicare Advantage Plans that are worth your time, we've put together a few criteria that might help you sort it all out:
To help you keep it simple and focus on your health and well-being, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best Medicare Advantage Plans available today. This way, you can save time and money as you join (or change to) a new plan. We hope our research will help you find the best deals, the friendliest reps, and the top coverage so you can enjoy your golden years stress-free!
Select any 2 Medicare Advantage Plans to compare them head to head