Once upon a time, there was a young insurance agent named JC, a man in his prime, who decided to purchase a second home in the coastal town of Ocean Shores. Not long after moving in, an elderly neighbor named Charlie stopped by to introduce himself. The two quickly struck up a friendship, bonding over stories and shared interests. Charlie had a story for everything: race cars, boats, real estate deals, bars in Wisconsin, and even celebrities he’d met over the years. JC was captivated.
One day, during one of their many conversations, Charlie asked JC, “So, what exactly do you do for work?” JC replied, “I help people with Medicare!” Charlie lowered his head a bit, saying, “That’s nice, but I don’t think Medicare is for me. My health’s too poor, and I was already declined for a plan.” JC, enthralled by Charlie’s rich life stories, filed this comment away, thinking it might come up again someday..
A few months later, Charlie noticed he hadn’t seen JC around as much. Concerned, he gave him a call. “Where have you been? You’ve stopped coming around the Shores!” JC explained that it was the Annual Election Period (AEP)—October 15 to December 7—a busy time when anyone enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A & B) could sign up for a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan, even if they’d been declined for a Medicare Supplement plan before. JC suspected an MAPD plan could really help Charlie. Not only could it provide comprehensive medical coverage, but it also came with extras like dental, vision, hearing, a gym membership, and even over-the-counter benefits.
Intrigued, Charlie agreed to explore his Medicare options. The next week, JC hopped into his jet-black 2019 Ford Ranger and drove over to Ocean Shores. After a friendly chat and a scope of appointment on Thursday evening—since a 48-hour wait is required before discussing Medicare specifics—JC and Charlie spent a fun weekend landscaping JC’s yard. Then, on Sunday morning, before heading back to Bellevue, they sat down to review the MAPD plans available to Charlie.
Charlie was thrilled to discover there were now two private insurance companies offering MAPD plans in Ocean Shores—something that hadn’t been available when he first moved there seven years ago. JC helped him find a plan that covered all of Charlie’s doctors and even allowed him to drop his $80-per-month Part D prescription plan. The new MAPD plan would save Charlie money on prescriptions going forward. About six months later, when Charlie needed to see a specialist in Bellevue, he even drove up to stay with JC.
Over the next couple of years, Charlie and his wife grew close to JC, his wife, and their ten year- old son. Charlie would often sit back with a “cold one,” laughing and chatting while watching JC bring his wild landscaping ideas to life.
Then, in September 2024, Charlie received a letter from his insurance company: “Your Medicare plan won’t be offered in 2025. KEEP THIS LETTER. IT’S PROOF THAT YOU HAVE A SPECIAL RIGHT TO BUY A MEDIGAP POLICY.”
Unsure what “special right” meant, Charlie called JC right away. JC explained that with his MAPD plan ending, Charlie had a rare, guaranteed chance to enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan without needing to prove his insurability. Realizing how lucky this opportunity was, Charlie was ready to move forward. “Sign me up, kid!” he laughed. “Let’s go!”
Navigating Medicare can be complicated, but with the right help, it doesn’t have to be. Pacific Insurance Group can help you understand your options and find a plan that works for you, just like JC did for Charlie. Give us a call or visit our website to learn more.
