Matt Rolph

Matt helped my mom change her medicare provider after her plan became unavailable, and then when her circumstances changed, he quickly helped her pick a better plan by a hard deadline. He was available every time we needed him and was super caring for my mom throughout the whole process. I highly recommend Matt Rolph!

My husband and I were very lucky to find Matt at a time of uncertainty for us. My husband was laid off of a multidecade job and we needed to convert our Medicare A to add Medicare B. We were very uneducated and confused as what to do. Matt presented us with a very agreeable Medicare Advantage program for both of us and made preparing for this next venture in our dual retirement lives so much easier. I cannot recommend him enough if you need help with Medicare and Medicare Advantage or Supplement plans. And he is very patient with us Baby Boomers!

Matt truly makes the crazy world of Medicare so much easier to understand. He kindly answered what seemed to be a million questions that I had. With his knowledge and assistance, I was able to select the plan best suited to my needs and in what seemed like minutes, received confirmation emails that we are ready for January 2026. Matt thank you again!

Matt is pleasant, professional.He responded to me right away and was easy to get ahold of. He was knowledgeable about all medi gap plans and answered all my question. He's great!

Matt was beyond amazing!! He made the process so seamless and easy. I highly recommend him for any and all health insurance needs. He’s the best!!! Thanks Matt!!!! The best!!

The simplest way to keep these straight is that Medicare Advantage changes how you get your Medicare and bundles in extra benefits, while a Medigap policy adds to Original Medicare by covering its out-of-pocket costs. They aren't used together; you pick one approach or the other. Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is an all-in-one plan from a private insurer that includes Part A and Part B, usually includes Part D drug coverage, and often adds extras like dental, vision, or hearing. These plans typically use provider networks, such as an HMO or PPO, and may require referrals. Premiums are often low or even zero, and instead you pay copays as you use care, up to a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. A Medicare Supplement policy, or Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare and helps cover the costs it leaves behind, like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, which makes your spending more predictable. It lets you see any provider in the country that accepts Medicare, with no networks, but it has a monthly premium and does not include drug coverage, so you'd usually pair it with a standalone Part D plan. Neither one is universally better, and it really comes down to your priorities. People who value seeing any doctor and having predictable costs often lean toward Medigap, while people who want lower premiums and bundled extras often lean toward Medicare Advantage. Your health, budget, and doctors should guide the choice. For full details see Medicare.gov or your local SHIP, and a licensed agent can compare both approaches against your needs, at no cost to you.

Medicare can be complicated, and a good agent makes it simpler, so it's worth knowing what to look for. Start by confirming the agent is licensed in your state. On Medicare Agent Scout you can look for the verified license badge. It also helps to understand whether an agent is independent or captive. An independent agent represents several insurance carriers and can compare across them, while a captive agent represents only one company. Independents can show you a wider range of options, though it's fair to keep in mind that no agent offers every plan in your area. How an agent is paid is worth understanding too. Agents are paid by the insurance carriers, so their help costs you nothing, and you pay the same premium whether you use an agent or enroll directly. Beyond the basics, pay attention to their approach. A trustworthy agent asks about your doctors, prescriptions, and budget, explains the trade-offs in plain language, and lets you decide without pressure. Local knowledge and a willingness to follow up after enrollment are real pluses, and it's perfectly reasonable to ask how many carriers they represent and whether they'll review your plan each year. You can always also use Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP to see all of your options. And on Medicare Agent Scout, you choose which licensed agent to contact, and your information isn't sold to a stack of agents.

A move can change which plans are available to you, and it usually opens a Special Enrollment Period to switch, so it's worth updating your coverage when you relocate. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by region, and their networks and drug lists are local, so a plan that worked in one place may not be offered, or may look very different, in another. When you move outside your plan's service area, you generally get a Special Enrollment Period. If you tell your plan before you move, the window typically starts the month before your move and runs about two more months. If you tell them after, it usually starts the month you notify them and runs about two more months. Original Medicare travels with you, since Parts A and B work nationwide, and a Medicare Supplement policy generally stays valid when you move, but Part D and Medicare Advantage plans are tied to where you live. Because of that, it's smart to check your new options early, since the doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies near your new home may not be in your old plan's network. Remember to update your address with Social Security at SSA.gov so your Medicare records stay current. Service areas and the timing of these windows can be specific, so confirm at Medicare.gov or with your local SHIP. A licensed agent who knows your new area can help you find plans that include your providers, at no cost to you.

Yes, and it doesn't have to take long. Plans change every year, so a quick annual review during the Annual Enrollment Period can head off surprises and often saves money. Even if you've been happy with your plan, the plan itself can change for the coming year, and each fall your insurer sends an Annual Notice of Change that spells out what's different. The things that tend to change are worth watching. Drug formularies get updated, so a medication you rely on can move to a higher cost tier or drop off the list entirely. Premiums, deductibles, and copays can shift. Provider and pharmacy networks change too, which means your doctor or preferred pharmacy might no longer be in network. And in Medicare Advantage plans, the extra benefits can change from one year to the next. The Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, is your once-a-year chance to switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, with any change taking effect January 1. Comparing your notice against your current doctors and prescriptions takes a little time but frequently turns up a plan that fits better or costs less. That said, switching isn't always the right call, and sometimes staying put is best, so the goal is to compare rather than change for its own sake. You can compare plans yourself at Medicare.gov, get free help from your local SHIP, or have a licensed agent run your doctors and medications against the available plans, at no cost to you.

Losing job-based coverage usually triggers a Special Enrollment Period, which means you can sign up for Medicare without waiting for the annual windows or facing a late penalty. When your active employment-based coverage ends, whether it's yours or your spouse's, you generally get an eight-month Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Part B, starting the month after the employment or the coverage ends, whichever comes first. Acting within that window helps you avoid the lifelong Part B late penalty. A couple of points trip people up. The big one is COBRA. It's generally not treated as active employer coverage for Medicare timing, so choosing COBRA instead of enrolling in Medicare can leave you with gaps and penalties. The safer move is to enroll in Medicare when your active coverage ends. Drug coverage has its own clock as well: you typically have about 63 days of leeway with creditable coverage, and losing it opens a separate window to join a Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan. It also helps to keep documentation of when your employer coverage ended, since Medicare may ask for it. The exact start dates and paperwork can be specific to your circumstances, so confirm with Social Security at SSA.gov or 1-800-772-1213 and with Medicare.gov, or get free help from your local SHIP. A licensed agent can help you make the transition smoothly and on time, at no cost to you.