When shopping for any product the common phrase we always use is “Shop Local.” The same is true for your Health Insurance plan. At FHI we always recommend our clients work with a Local Health Insurance Agent or Broker for their individual, small businesses, or Medicare health coverage.
“Picking out the right health insurance policy can certainly test one’s patience, but honestly, there are so many ways to make that process easier, that the more you know, the less you have to do to find what you need,” remarked Evan Tunis owner of Florida Healthcare Insurance.
To start with you want to only speak with licensed insurance agents or brokers. When you contact the health insurance marketplace over the phone you are calling call centers. If fact the rep at the marketplace might not even know English.
The call center individuals are paid by the hour and are not licensed health agents or brokers. Consumers are getting a raw deal with call centers that don’t have the best interest of clients in mind. You wouldn’t work with an unlicensed contractor for your home.
So why would you for your health coverage?
Again whether your work with us or another agency we implore you to work with health insurance agents for your Health Insurance or Medicare. Agent brokers are experts in human services. Human services are all about helping people find stability and can include everything from providing for basic needs like food and shelter to offering guidance, counseling, and substance abuse treatment with the goal of promoting self-sufficiency and happiness in people’s lives. As licensed health insurance agents we do this by doing the search for you-in person or over the phone.
Many people tend to look at getting Florida health insurance as being something they really don’t need because they don’t see the doctor that often. “While that may be true generally speaking, what happens when a major life event unfolds – a broken leg, head injuries, broken ribs, or heart problems? Medical bills for those events could put someone into medical bankruptcy. Get covered and put those worries on the shelf knowing if something does happen, your policy ‘does’ have your back,” added Tunis.
The agents and brokers at FHI work to qualify and enroll individuals in high-quality health insurance and Medicare services. They do this as they represent every carrier
Finding and buying the right individual health insurance plans remains among the most important decisions you should make in your life. The policies are investments you should be taken now before any health problem comes in.
Here are several ways how you could successfully whittle down your choices and maintain costs for co-payments, premiums, and prescriptions.
“Start looking for a policy that suits you in your immediate location; oftentimes they are much better prices than if you go nationally. Search the Health Insurance Marketplace during open enrollment to see if you are eligible for premium tax credits. In many cases, you can qualify for fabulous coverage at very low rates. Not to mention the fact that you will get personal service locally from an expert health insurance broker. Consumers can check around for pricing and make sure to ask lots of questions.
After all, it’s ‘your’ health and you need to know what you are covered for and what you are not covered for. Who needs nasty surprises later?” In addition, if you have missed your open enrollment window you may be eligible to enroll in a special enrollment period. The special enrollment period lets an agent broker find high-quality insurance plans at any time.
For example, if you had a special eleciton period on 2/13 we would look to search for and enroll you in a plan beginning 3/1. Tunis pointed out. Your local health insurance broker will have more details.
“Before looking for Florida health insurance make sure you make a list of all the things that are important to you; things you absolutely need to have and make sure you mention these to the local health insurance agent or broker. If you’ve taken the time to do that – identify your personal preferences – finding what you want is easier. For instance, let’s say you want lower premiums, a good choice of doctors and excellent customer service,” Tunis remarked. If the insurance agents brokers know these things, it helps them look for a policy to fit their customer’s needs.
While many people these days try to find their own health insurance, it’s really a good idea to use the services of a broker or agent.
Why?
“Because they know their industry inside out, where the deals are, what would work for you, and what would not. They also know just about every available option in which you may be interested. It saves you the time and hassle of hunting online when you aren’t quite sure what you are looking at,” said Tunis. Your local health insurance agent broker will search for you and enroll you in person or over the phone. Best of all you do not need to paid agents brokers.
An agent or broker is paid directly from the insurance company so there is no charge for the consumer.
“One final thing you should know about, and many people don’t know this, is that you can actually try out the health care option that you want; kick the tires for free so to speak. You need to ask your agent about that, as a free trial would give you a refund if you don’t like the policy you chose, but it would need to be within a certain period of time. There are certain restrictions and various guidelines which you would also have to follow. It might be worth checking into,” suggested Tunis.
Working with FHI
When working with FHI the consumer can either work over the phone or in person. We encourage consumer’s to use the phone method as we can get more details and communication quickly and easy. The agents and brokers at FHI are versed in the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare and Off-Marketplace plans(such as Short Term Medical).
Health Insurance agents with FHi will work to enroll you in the coverage that is personalized to each individual person. We will never sell you anything. Agent brokers do the search and then present all options to the consumer. Once the selection is complete the agents or brokers will enroll that person in either Health coverage or Medicare.
Please note FHI nor its agent or brokers work with Medicaid. If you are in need of Medicaid services please contact your state’s Medicaid services.
For more details, arrange an in person meeting or to get a quote please give us a call at 954-282-6891.
