Be Part of the Solution: New Medicare Advantage Regulations

Phoebe Shagan^1,2, Lynn S Muller^1,2

• ¹Phoebe Shagan, RN, CCM (retired), has more than 50 years' experience in the medical field and has been an independent licensed and certified insurance agent/broker since 2006. Phoebe earned her diploma in nursing from St. John's Episcopal School of Nursing and her Bachelor of Science Degree, with a major in Health Education, from East Tennessee State University. Phoebe is a proud member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP), the professional organization for insurance professionals, several Chambers of Commerce and other networking groups. To maintain her certification each year, Phoebe passes the insurance requirements for each product and company prior to being able to discuss the insurance products. Phoebe believes that health insurance can be very confusing and intimidating to her client population and therefore works with individuals most in need, to ensure they get the most appropriate health plan for individuals, not groups. Phoebe believes people should be their own health advocates or have someone else whom they can rely upon, for that reason education is a very important aspect of her work. She has taken her years of professional case management experience and transitioned where she felt her skills and experience could benefit her clients. Phoebe works to eliminate confusion and misunderstandings when individuals qualify for Medicare, turn 65, retire, or move from one county or state to another. Phoebe is licensed in 14 states: mostly on the east coast of the United States of America. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not want people to believe that the agents who are "selling" or "educating" people work for the CMS. Once certified and "ready to sell" for the various products that an insurance company offers yearly, a licensed agent/broker is then able to discuss and offer the plans available.+1