HELPING A PARENT OR SPOUSE
Sorting out Medicare for someone you love? Talk with a local agent.
No forms and no pressure. A licensed agent will walk through their situation with you, at no cost.
What to have ready
Don’t have everything? Call anyway. We can start with what you know.
▢ Their Medicare card
The red, white, and blue card. If they aren't enrolled yet, their Social Security details.
▢ Current plan name
If they already have coverage, the plan name or member ID card.
▢ Doctors and specialists
Names and the clinics or hospitals they use.
▢ Prescriptions
Each medication with its dosage.
▢ Preferred pharmacy
Drug prices can change from one pharmacy to the next.
Your loved one stays in charge of the decision
You can call on their behalf to ask questions and compare options. When it's time to enroll, they will need to join the call or give their permission. We'll explain exactly what's needed.
Our help is free to your family. We are paid by the carriers, and premiums are the same whether or not you use an agent.
We help families in every situation
Turning 65 soon
We map out their enrollment window and make sure no deadline is missed.
Costs keep rising
We compare their current plan against what's available and look for savings on drugs and premiums.
Something changed
A move, a new diagnosis, or lost coverage can open a window to change plans.
One conversation is usually enough to know the next step.
Helping From Another City?
We encourage family members, spouses, or a trusted friend to be part of the conversation when possible. Having someone else listen, take notes, and ask questions can help make sure everyone has a clear understanding of what the plan covers, what the costs may be, and how the coverage is designed to work.
You don't have to live next door to help someone with Medicare. We use online meetings to facilitate discussions.
You don't have to navigate Medicare alone. We're here to walk through the options with you.
Learn the Basics
Medicare Advantage
Plans from private insurers approved by Medicare, offered as an alternative to Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement
Covers costs Original Medicare doesn't, like copays and deductibles. Plans A through N.
Part D drug plans
Drug costs vary widely between plans. We check your specific medications to keep costs low.
Let's Look at the Things That Matter to Them.
Medicare isn't just about finding a plan with a particular monthly premium.
The right questions often have more to do with how that person actually receives their healthcare.
✓ Doctors and specialists they want to keep
✓ Hospitals and healthcare systems they prefer
✓ Prescription medications
✓ Premiums and other out-of-pocket costs
✓ Medicare Advantage networks
✓ Medicare Supplement options
✓ Prescription drug coverage
✓ Enrollment periods and important dates
How Kidwell Insurance Agency Works
-
First, we listen.
Insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make an important decision for yourself or someone you love. We start by slowing things down and getting to know you—your doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, budget, and what matters most to you. There’s no need to have all the answers. Our job is to ask the right questions and make sure we understand what you need before we start looking at plans. -
Then, we make sense of your options.
Once we understand your situation, we look at the plans available to you and focus on the details that actually matter. We’ll help you compare doctors and hospitals, prescription coverage, networks, costs, benefits, and the differences between your options. Most importantly, we’ll explain it in plain language. You should never feel like you have to choose a plan you don't understand. -
When you’re ready, we’ll walk with you through the finish line.
Choosing coverage is a big decision, and you don't have to navigate the enrollment process by yourself. We’ll complete the application, review the information before it’s submitted, and explain what to expect next. Our goal isn't simply to get you enrolled—it’s to make sure you understand your coverage and feel comfortable moving forward.
Medicare questions, answered
-
It’s a good idea to start learning about Medicare before their 65th birthday. For most people, the Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month they turn 65 and continues for three months after their birthday month. Starting early gives your family time to understand the options and avoid making decisions under pressure.
-
It can sound like a lot at first. Part A generally covers inpatient hospital care, while Part B generally covers doctor and outpatient services. Part C is Medicare Advantage, which provides Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan. Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Understanding these four parts is a good starting point for understanding Medicare as a whole.
-
This is one of the most important differences to understand. Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private plan, often with prescription coverage included. Medicare Supplement insurance, or Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare to help pay certain costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover. The two options work very differently, so it's important to understand how each fits your family member's needs.
-
Not always. Some people can delay Part B if they have qualifying health coverage based on current employment. The rules can depend on factors such as the employer and the type of coverage. Before your parent decides to delay Medicare, it's important to understand how their employer coverage coordinates with Medicare.
-
COBRA and Medicare are different types of coverage, and COBRA generally does not give someone the same Part B Special Enrollment Period as coverage based on current employment. If your family member is retiring, it's important to understand their Medicare enrollment timeline before assuming COBRA will take care of everything.
-
Don't wait until the last day of employer coverage. If your parent has been delaying Part B because of qualifying employer coverage, retirement or the loss of that coverage may create a Special Enrollment Period. Planning ahead can help avoid a gap in coverage and give your family time to understand what comes next.
Talk to a licensed local agent today.
Serving families across Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Francisco, and Alameda counties.