Here Are the Answers to Some of Your Most Asked Questions
At Insurance Associates, we always encourage you, our clients, to ask questions related to all your insurance needs. Such interactions have only helped us compile the answers furnished below to some of your most frequently asked questions.
Call us anytime with your questions, or schedule a FREE consultation.
General Questions
There are many advantages to working with our independent insurance agents.
Are you overwhelmed with the options?
Are you transitioning to Medicare and are not sure which plans are right for you?
Have you received confusing statements in the mail and not been sure what to do?
Have you always had an employer offer insurance and now you are on your own?
Our insurance agents can help you with all of the above and more. They navigate the insurance world every day and can help you cut through the confusion. Not only will they answer all of your questions in a way you will understand, they will even answer the questions you didn’t know you should ask.
No, our service is FREE of charge. We receive a commission from contracted insurance companies for recommending their products.
Yes, if you are unable to visit our office, our agents are more than happy to visit your home for a consultation.
As an independent agency we have contracts and relationships with several insurance companies or “carriers” and are familiar with their products and processes. This enables us to “shop around” for you to find options that meet your unique needs and your budget.
Each client is unique and has individual needs for their health and life insurance. Our agents would gladly meet with you to learn your needs and recommend products for you and your family.
Absolutely! We have specialized in this for over 40 years. Our agents can help you understand the A, B, Cs and Ds of Medicare Book your free consultation today!
Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) Questions
This is the one time a year for Medicare beneficiaries to review their current Part C (medical) and/or Part D (drug) plans for the following calendar year to switch plans if necessary. Outside of the AEP you may only change your plan due to a special circumstance such as but not limited to moving, entering a long-term care facility, or if the plan terminates.
Medicare Part C plans and Medicare Part D plans. Many things can change from year to year such as providers, networks, covered medications, tier levels, and preferred pharmacies.
If you are enrolled into Original Medicare (Parts A & B) along with a Medicare Supplement (also known as a Medigap Plan) and you are happy with that plan, then you do not need to do anything. Just continue to pay your plan premium and it will operate the same year after year. A review of Medicare Supplements can be done at any time throughout the year. In addition, ancillary plans such as Dental and Vision are also not affected by the AEP.
If you are enrolled in a Part C or Part D plan, you will receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) booklet prior to the AEP from your insurance company. Contact our office if you have questions or would like a full review with your agent.
Plans change and so do your health care needs from year to year. Reviewing the changes to your current plan, your prescriptions, and your circumstances allows you to select the plans that best meet your individual needs and your budget for the following year.
Changes made to a Part C (Medical) or Part D (Drug) plan during the AEP will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
It is not required to change your plans. If after reviewing your plan changes you decide your current plan still meets your needs, you do not need to do anything. Your current plan will roll over into the following calendar year.
Federally Facilitated Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Questions
This is the one time of year that individuals can make updates and change their health plan for the 2026 calendar year. Once you have made all the necessary changes and updates you will be able to choose which plan is the best fit for you.
Premiums, co-payments, networks, benefits, and medication coverages can change from year to year, so it is always a good idea to make sure the plan you are on is still a good fit. In addition, if you qualify, an update to your application on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) is needed to get the most up-to-date Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC.)
The APTC is a subsidy provided by the Federal Government through the FFM to help reduce your monthly premium payment. A variety of factors such as but not limited to zip code, household size, and household income are considered when determining the APTC individuals could receive.
*Note: There are some important updates regarding tax credits for 2025-2026. Read More >>
Estimating income looks different for everyone. Documents like your latest tax return, W-2’s and paystubs can be helpful when estimating your future income. For individuals with more complex tax situations, we recommend you consult with your tax accountant or financial planner to determine an educated estimate. When you file your taxes, the IRS & Marketplace will reconcile with each other. If your income is higher than you estimated, you may owe some of your APTC back. If your income is lower than you estimated, and you paid a monthly premium, you may get some money back.
You will receive notification from your current health plan of any changes to premiums, co-payments, networks, benefits, and medication coverages. You can also review the changes with your agent.
If you are enrolled in your plan under the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) and are receiving an APTC, it is in your best interest to update your application with your estimated income for the following plan year. Even if your income has not changed, the APTC could change for the following year due to fluctuations in premiums on the market.
If you are enrolled directly with the insurance company and are not receiving an APTC, it is still a good idea to review your plan to ensure it is the best fit for you going forward.
Any plan changes you make during OEP, go into effect for the following calendar year. You must enroll between November 1st and December 15th, 2025 for your plan change to be effective for 1/1/2026.
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