Independent Insurance Broker in Albuquerque, NM
Medicare Open Enrollment in New Mexico
Get in while it's open...
Oct 15th through Dec 7th!
Get more out of your Medicare policy this year
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Discover your options with Medicare
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Get additional coverage & benefits
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Adjust for life changes
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Enroll in Medigap to help with out-of-pocket costs
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Stop paying for coverage you don't need
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Etc...
Want to make sure you're maximizing the benefits you're eligible for? Need help tweaking your plan? Medicare Open Enrollment means it's time to look into your options. And we're here to help you make sure you get the most out of Medicare in New Mexico.
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Together we'll go over available Medicare plans including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans and compare choices. And if you already have the best healthcare policy for your needs, we'll tell you so. On the house.
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We figure there's already enough confusion and mystery around health insurance—so at Benefits With Apex, we're all about transparency.
Meet your Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker in New Mexico...
Hey there, I'm Spencer Porter and I'm here to make open enrollment season easy.
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Here at Benefits With Apex, we handle all sorts of insurance needs throughout the year—but Open Enrollment is our busiest time; and it's when we help the most people change things for the better.
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Pinpointing your healthcare goals and changing your Medicare plan to match them is what I'm here for, so let's talk:
How Medicare Open Enrollment Works in New Mexico
During Medicare Open Enrollment, New Mexicans eligible for Medicare have the option to switch, upgrade, or add on to their plans.
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Even if you're covered, it's always worth checking your options because Medicare plans can change each year, and the potential savings and peace of mind may be huge.
You can do it all yourself—compare policies, read through all the fine print, calculate your savings, and balance your benefits—but why would you, when you can have an expert do it for you? There's so much to know and sift through, you might miss something small but important, and wind up paying for it later. Literally.
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And here’s something else you probably can’t say about doing Open Enrollment on your own:
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With us, the whole process takes less than an hour.
​Here's what that might look like:
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Schedule a call or come visit our office in person
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We’ll talk for 15-20 minutes about your life & needs, and pull up a few policy options to match
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We’ll spend 15-20 minutes comparing details of Medicare plans
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We’ll get you enrolled right then and there, and you can carry on with your busy day
Original
Medicare
Original Medicare includes Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
Part A (Hospital Insurance):
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No premium if you meet the requirements
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Covers:
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Some hospital stays under the right conditions for a limited number of days
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​Hospice care under some conditions
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Part B (Medical Insurance):
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Costs a premium that varies based on income
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Covers:
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Many outpatient services for general or psychiatric care​
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Ambulance transportation under the right conditions
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The use of medically necessary DME (Durable Medical Equipment)
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A limited number of outpatient presecription drugs​
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Medicare
Advantage
Medicare Advantage Part C. Medicare Advantage is managed care that combines Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Medicare oversees private insurers who manage your coverage. These plans may offer benefits beyond Original Medicare. The plans are usually Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) with provider networks to help manage costs.
You may prefer a Medicare Advantage Plan if you:
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Prefer a low or no monthly premium ​
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Are interested in additional benefits like dental, vision or hearing services
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Are used to, or don't mind, using a plan's network of providers if required
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Do not see the doctor too often and are OK with paying a copay for an office visit if it keeps your monthly premium low
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Like all your benefits in one plan with one premium
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Want your prescription drug coverage included as a plan benefit
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Like the convenience of the paln managing all your benefits, paperwork and premiums
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Want to reduce your out-of-pocket costs
Medicare
Supplement
A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan (Medigap) helps to fill the gaps in Original Medicare. It does not include prescription drug coverage so you may want to add a Part D plan to complete your coverage if you choose this option. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are generally accepted by any provider that accepts Medicare.
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You may prefer a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan if you:
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Want flexibility when choosing your providers
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Frequently go to the doctor and need to keep the cost of office visits low
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Would rather pay a higher monthly premium and keep your out-of-pocket costs low
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Travel a lot
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Have chronic medical needs
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Are willing to enroll in a separate prescription drug plan
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Don't mind keeping track of multiple plans, paperwork and premiums (Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, and Prescription Drug Plan)
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What is Open Enrollment for health insurance?Open Enrollment is an annual period during which individuals can enroll for a health insurance plan. Individuals can enroll through the New Mexico Insurance Exchange (BeWellNM), through Medicare if you qualify, or directly with the insurance company of your choosing. Open Enrollment is the only time during the year when individuals can enroll in a new health insurance plan or change your existing plan to another one (unless something has changed in your life).
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When and how long is Open Enrollment in New Mexico?Each year nationwide, Open Enrollment allows people to get health insurance if they’re not covered by an employer or the price is too high. Depending on your needs, there are different dates to know for Open Enrollment: For Medicare enrollees: October 15 – December 7 For individuals & families: November 1 – December 15 (for a January 1 start date) ...Extends to January 15 (for a February 1 start date) For businesses: Businesses can enroll for health insurance coverage for employees at any time, throughout the year.
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What happens if I miss Open Enrollment?In terms of getting a new policy, unfortunately if you miss Open Enrollment you’re out of luck until next year—unless something changes in your life, income, etc. If you don’t have health insurance and need it, there are some emergency programs we can get you on, through the New Mexico Insurance Pool, which means you'll at least be covered for catastrophe and by certain providers. In any case, if you’re seeing this too late, reach out anyway—we’ll help you get sorted, and plan for the future.
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Do I qualify for low income assistance for health insurance in New Mexico?About half of all people in New Mexico qualify for Medicare—and another large percentage beyond that meet the income threshold for some level of health insurance assistance, through tax credits and/or subsidies. Get in touch and we'll check what you can get.
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How much does it cost to work with an insurance broker?Nothing! You only pay for your coverage, through insurance premiums and copays (whatever balance of those you choose). Insurance agents and brokers like Benefits With Apex here in Albuquerque get paid directly by the insurance companies to sign people up for the right plan.
Why work with an insurance agent?
When it comes to choosing the right Medicare plan for your unique needs and lifestyle, the number of options can become a little overwhelming. Between the four Parts of Medicare (Parts A-D) which each offer specific benefits, there are many factors to weigh when building your perfect plan:
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Your monthly premium (which can change year to year)
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Additional coverage like dental, vision, or hearing
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Chronic health conditions
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Prescription costs
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Emergency coverage
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Gym membership options
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And more...
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We do this every day, so we know each Part of Medicare inside and out. All you have to do, is tell us about your life and your healthcare needs, and we'll find the right health insurance policy to match.
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Oh and also—you don't pay us anything for this service!
We get paid by the insurance companies for helping people enroll, at a similar rate across the board. So our only incentive is matching you to the best fit.
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All we ask from you is a bit of time and conversation—and in return, you save money, hours, and the stress of sorting through your many options!