Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas

Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas

Thus, it is a good idea to check Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas (ask your agent) or to call a particular company to see if there have been any changes since the last published ratings. Bests’ can be reached at (908) 439-2200. Standard and Poor’s number is (212) 208-1527. (Be sure to ask if the company you are inquiring about is under their watch lists for possible downgrading or upgrading.) Moody’s (which also has a Watch List) can be reached at (212) 553-0377. If you already have Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas, it is a good idea to monitor your company’s rating every year.

Other books. This book is intended to provide all of the information most people need to become wise consumers of Texas Medicare (and then some). There are, however, many books on the subject of insurance, usually tackling only one kind of policy. That being so, some have more details about specific coverage’s than we are able to supply in a general book of this kind. We will recommend some of these from time to time, and we list some in Appendix D, but don’t be afraid to call on that hardworking expert who is always there to help: your local librarian.

The National Insurance Consumer Organization (NICO). NICO is a nonprofit national organization whose sole purpose is to be an advocate for, and provide assistance to, Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas consumers. Headed by a former federal insurance administrator and casualty actuary, J. Robert Hunter, NICO can provide you with manuals that give you valuable details about your Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas. NICO also has an excellent book on life insurance, called Taking the Bite out of Life Insurance, by James Hunt. Depending on the type of insurance, NICO may also be able to recommend specific companies that are doing a good job. We urge you to join NICO for a $30 tax-deductible donation. For more information, contact: NICO 121 N. Payne St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Industry organizations. The insurance industry has established several organizations to promote consumer education (and sometimes, industry propaganda). One organization is the Insurance Information Institute. A toll-free consumer’s hotline will answer questions you may have about property/casualty insurance: (800)221-4954.

Step 2: Shop Around

The biggest mistake most consumers make when they buy insurance is taking the first good-looking policy that comes along. This is unfortunate, for there are frequently wide variations in the price and quality of the products available on the market. Here are just a few tips to help you find the best buy.

Compare Agents

Choosing the right insurance professional to help you make decisions about your insurance is an essential part of any effective insurance-buying strategy. That professional, whether a broker or agent, should be courteous, knowledgeable, and reliable. He or she should also take additional education classes in the field in order to, Stay up-to-date on the continuing changes in the insurance industry, and having a special certificate like a CLU doesn’t hurt.  In any event, be sure to speak with several agents and compare them just as you do the products they sell.