Susan Polk Insurance Agency, Inc. Reminds Clients of Medicare Open Enrollment

San Luis Obispo, CA (PRWEB) September 28, 2014

As the summer months make way for the cooler days of autumn, the professionals at Susan Polk Insurance Agency, Inc. would like to remind seniors in San Luis Obispo County and across the state of California that now is the time to start planning for the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period which starts Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7, 2014.

"There is a limited amount of time to make a decision about how to receive your Medicare," said owner Susan Polk. "Every Medicare beneficiary, unless on a retiree group plan, should review his or her Medicare plan during the October through December time frame."

Medicare specialists

As Medicare specialists with years of experience assisting seniors with difficult choices, Polk and her team of insurance professionals are eager to share their knowledge. The Initial Enrollment Period, according to Polk, starts three months prior to getting Medicare which is usually the first of the month in which you turn 65, the month you get Medicare, and three months after Medicare becomes effective.

"You usually get Medicare the first of the month in which you turn 65, but if you or your spouse are working, you may be able to defer enrollment into Part B until you or your spouse retires," said Polk. "However, if you work for a small employer – less than 100 employees – you may need to enroll in Part B even if you continue group insurance as an active employee or as a spouse of an active employee."

Those who miss the Initial Enrollment Period may have to wait until the General Enrollment Period, and remain uninsured for several months – just one reason why it is important to discuss plan options with a professional insurance broker at the Susan Polk Insurance Agency. Eleven standard Medicare Supplement Plans are available and offered through various independent companies.

"There are different rules for different folks," said Polk, "and you will feel more comfortable being guided through the maze of dates and eligibility periods by a professional insurance broker. Don't enroll if you don't have to, but don't miss the enrollment period if you do."

In addition to being a card-carrying Medicare Member, Polk has extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to Medicare, having worked with Medicare plans for 26+ years. Four-year agency staff member Laurie Tonegato is the firm's Customer Service Representative for Medicare in addition to being a Medicare Sales Associate with fellow staff member Cathy Fredriks.

Prescription Drug Plans and more

As with Medicare Supplement Plans, Polk, Tonegato, and Fredriks understand that navigating the many prescription drug plan (PDP) options can be a daunting task without the assistance of an insurance professional. For example, individuals insured through a group retiree program may jeopardize their plan by enrolling in a PDP.

"And with 34 plans in California to choose from, you will want to enroll in the plan which is best for your situation," said Polk.

As the largest enroller in Medicare plans in San Luis Obispo County, the independent insurance brokers at Susan Polk Insurance offer Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans from any company which works with brokers. Currently contracted with over a dozen carriers who write Medicare Plans, they can enroll anyone into any of the 34 PDPs – and they also offer Medicare Advantage plans.

A wealth of knowledge in Medicare, along with their willingness to review their Medicare plans twice a year to ensure their clients are getting the most out of their health care dollars, is what sets the professionals at the Susan Polk Insurance Agency apart from other insurance brokers in the area.

"We love what we do," said Polk. "We help Medicare beneficiaries all over the state of California and in seven other states as well."

More about Susan Polk

Susan Polk graduated from Pitzer College with a bachelor's degree in Economics. With 43+ years of experience as a licensed agent, Polk has lent advice to San Luis Obispo County residents for the past 26+ years as the owner of Susan Polk Insurance Agency, Inc. She is a member of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU).

Polk has several professional designations, including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Chartered Healthcare Consultant (ChHC), National Association of Health Underwriters Leading Producers Roundtable Lifetime and Qualifying Member, Soaring Eagle, and Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). She has served on the boards of Children's Health Initiative, Long-term Care Ombudsman, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and Habitat for Humanity; is a member of the working group on implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and is a regular speaker on Health Care Reform and Medicare.

For more information on Susan Polk Insurance Agency, Inc. stop by 1443 Marsh St. in San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, call (805) 544-6454 or (800) 242-6454, or visit http://www.susanpolk.com.

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