MEDICARE MADE EASY [Business People (IN)]

Medicare and all its insurance options can be extremely confusing - especially for people turning 65. That's where Greg MacDonald can be a guiding light.

"My goal is to make Medicare understandable and give people options that fit their specific needs," says MacDonald, president of MacDonald Insurance & Financial Services.

As an independent agency focusing on health, life and long-term care insurance, MacDonald Insurance & Financial Services works with both individuals and small groups.

"We work hard to make sure our clients have the right product at the right price," says MacDonald. "People expect it. That level of service is not always offered to those on Medicare, particularly after they have turned 65. We're working to change that."

MacDonald, a Certified Senior Advisor, takes a consultative approach with his clients. He represents multiple insurance companies such as AARP, Aetna, Advantage Health, Anthem, Gerber, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Today's Options and United Healthcare. That way his clients' needs and desires - not the insurance company's - drive the plan selection.

"When I began selling insurance in 2001, I was a captive agent representing one insurance company," says MacDonald. "I quickly realized that no matter how good my product was, there were times when competing products worked better for my clients. So I became an independent agent. I don't want to sell a policy, I want to educate my clients and offer them options so they can select a plan they feel comfortable with."

To help people understand Medicare, MacDonald launched FortWayneMedicare.com, which features a series of short videos explaining the various aspects of Medicare and the key elements in selecting a plan.

"We strive to make Medicare easy," says MacDonald. "This site does that."

Once a person becomes one of MacDonald's clients, it is the beginning of a long-term relationship.

"Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans change every year," says MacDonald. "That's why we contact all of our clients in the fall to see how their current plan worked for them during the year, update them on any plan changes and find out if any personal changes necessitate looking at other plan options."

Medicare has an Annual Enrollment Period that runs from October 1 through December 7. During this time, people with Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans have an opportunity to change plans for the following year.

"It is our busiest time of the year," says MacDonald. "We talk with all our current clients, plus we meet a lot of new ones. It's a fun time."

MacDonald Insurance & Financial Services

Address: 4233 East State Boulevard Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815

Telephone: (260) 496-9229

Fax: (260) 471-7829

Owner: Greg MacDonald

Email: [email protected]

Websites: MacDonaldlnsuranceServices.comFortWayneMedicare.com