(843) 991-2695Free Consultation Request
Medicare Agent in Asheville, NC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Asheville, NC or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Asheville, NC
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Asheville, NC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Asheville, NC
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Asheville, NC is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Asheville, NC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Asheville, NC. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Teresa
Senior Medicare Plans for Wendy
Medicare plans for michele
Senior Health Insurance for Macklyn
Healthcare for Mary
Burial Insurance for Midnightflowerphonix
Medicare Advantage for Linda
Senior Medicare Insurance for Larry
Medicare for Joan
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Carol
Senior Medicare Plans for Elisa
Medicare plans for Andrea
Senior Health Insurance for Bernard
Healthcare for Judie
Burial Insurance for Richard
Medicare Advantage for Cindy
Senior Medicare Insurance for Judith
Medicare for Raymond
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Daniel
Senior Medicare Plans for Rodney
Medicare plans for Shields
Senior Health Insurance for E
Healthcare for Amanda
Burial Insurance for Janice
Medicare Advantage for Felicia
Latest News in Asheville, NC
Asheville hosts G20 global Finance Track meeting, economic boost to Western NC
Bianca Holmanhttps://abc11.com/post/asheville-hosts-g20-meeting-bringing-global-leaders-economic-boost-western-north-carolina/19764983/
WTVDASHEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Asheville is in the international spotlight this week as it hosts the G20 Finance Track meeting, bringing finance ministers, central bank officials and business leaders from some of the world's largest economies to Western North Carolina.The four-day event is being held at the Omni Grove Park Inn and is expected to attract more than 500 attendees from around the globe.Local leaders see the gathering as both an economic opportunity and a chance to showcase the region's recovery efforts follow...
WTVD
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Asheville is in the international spotlight this week as it hosts the G20 Finance Track meeting, bringing finance ministers, central bank officials and business leaders from some of the world's largest economies to Western North Carolina.
The four-day event is being held at the Omni Grove Park Inn and is expected to attract more than 500 attendees from around the globe.
Local leaders see the gathering as both an economic opportunity and a chance to showcase the region's recovery efforts following the impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
"Asheville in Western North Carolina has always punched above its weight," said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. "We've hosted presidents for meetings at the Omni Grove Park Inn, and we have long been a place for wellness and gathering and for inspiration."
Officials estimate visitors attending the conference will spend approximately $2 million during their stay, providing a significant boost to the local economy. Businesses across the hospitality, transportation and tourism sectors are expected to benefit from the influx of international visitors.
Isley said hosting the meeting offers an opportunity to highlight both the progress Asheville has made and the work that remains.
"Hosting the G20 finance meeting here in Asheville gives us the opportunity to show how far our community has come and also to shine a light on the state and federal resources that are still needed to build our community and region back stronger here in the mountains," Isley said.
Community leaders say the event's impact extends beyond hotel bookings and restaurant visits.
"It really does take a village," Isley said. "To have events like this come here, bring money to the local economy, but also to be able to show what additionally needs to be done for our community and for our people."
Preparations for the event have involved collaboration among tourism officials, transportation providers and conference organizers. Local businesses and artists are also being featured throughout the conference.
"From welcoming folks at our newly constructed airport with the newest airport tower in the country to working with destination management companies and transportation companies to get the attendees safely to the resort, we've worked together to make this a success," Isley said. "We're also working with conference planners to ensure that local artists and goods are being provided as gifts and amenities for these high-profile attendees."
For Asheville, the G20 meeting represents not only a moment on the world stage but also an opportunity to reinforce the region's reputation as a destination for major international events while supporting ongoing recovery and economic development efforts.
'It was very surreal': UNC Asheville researchers make discovery in drug-resistant staph
Chloe Adamshttps://wpde.com/news/local/it-was-very-surreal-unc-asheville-researchers-make-a-discovery-in-drug-resistant-staph-mrsa-infection-research-team-journal-bacteriology-ygek-staphylococcus-aureus-affect-patients-antibotics-r
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — What began as an undergraduate research project at the University of North Carolina Asheville has resulted in a discovery that has landed the team a recognition in an accredited peer-reviewed journal.'It was very surreal': UNC Asheville researchers make discovery in drug-resistant staph. (WLOS)The team uncovered a weakness in a protein that drug-resistant, or methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus relies on during infection — a finding that could point to a new way to fight the bacteri...
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — What began as an undergraduate research project at the University of North Carolina Asheville has resulted in a discovery that has landed the team a recognition in an accredited peer-reviewed journal.
'It was very surreal': UNC Asheville researchers make discovery in drug-resistant staph. (WLOS)
The team uncovered a weakness in a protein that drug-resistant, or methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus relies on during infection — a finding that could point to a new way to fight the bacteria.
Jenna Vidaud, a recent UNC Asheville graduate, was recognized with first-author credit on the paper.
“I never thought that something like that would happen in undergrad,” Vidaud said. “I didn’t really know that these kind of opportunities were available before I came to college.”
UNC ASHEVILLE AWARDED $1.2M IN GRANT FUNDS FOR OLDER ADULT PROGRAM
“Knowing what that has done for the paper and what that finding did for the paper - It was very surreal,” senior biology major Garrett Davidson, another student who is part of the research team, said.
The four-year project, led by UNC Asheville Associate Professor Melinda R. Grosser was published Aug. 20 in the Journal of Bacteriology.
Grosser said a dozen undergraduate students helped her uncover a weakness in an enzyme called YqeK, which Staphylococcus aureus relies on to respond to stressful conditions it can encounter during an infection.
Researchers found that disabling the enzyme left the bacteria able to grow normally under everyday laboratory conditions but less able to withstand hostile conditions and cause damage, Grosser said. The bacteria became noticeably less toxic, losing much of their ability to destroy red blood cells, a strong signal that they would cause milder disease during a real infection, she said.
Grosser said targeting the enzyme could lead to an anti-virulence approach — one that weakens the bacteria rather than directly killing it.
UNC ASHEVILLE ADVANCES CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PLANS DESPITE COMMUNITY CONCERNS
“If drugs were to be developed to target this protein, they would not directly kill the bacteria,” Grosser said. “It wouldn’t pressure the bacteria to evolve resistance in the same way, because it’s not making them fight for their lives,” she said.
The research comes as antimicrobial-resistant infections continue to create a major health care burden.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports $4.6 billion is spent each year in the U.S. treating antimicrobial-resistant infections, including MRSA.
Joëlla Adams, a research epidemiologist at RTI International, said the UNC Asheville research offers a promising direction for developing drugs that disarm S. aureus rather than kill it, but she emphasized that further testing is needed before it could affect patient care. Still, Adams said approaches like this could offer an alternative to traditional antibiotics whose overuse drives resistant infections.
Vidaud and Davidson said they never expected their work would lead them to a finding this significant. They said this work is creating even wider career possibilities for them. Vidaud is now a medical assistant after graduating last spring with a double major in biology along with chemistry and biochemistry. Davidson plans to continue the research as part of his senior thesis.
“Not only did it teach me all of these things that I would need for maybe a Ph.D. program, but having a publication on my resume would certainly help in that,” Davidson said.
Grosser said she is applying for additional funding to continue the research and determine whether the findings could eventually contribute to new treatments.
For more information, click here to see the official university release about this finding.
UNC Asheville awarded $1.2M in grant funds for older adult program
Dean Hensleyhttps://wlos.com/news/local/unc-asheville-awarded-12m-in-grants-for-older-adult-programs-north-carolina-center-health-wellness-north-carolina-center-health-wellness-vivian-gettys-path-nc
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at the University of North Carolina Asheville has received a $1.2 million three-year grant award.According to a news release, the grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) for the “Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program (CDSME)” funding opportunity.UNC ASHEVILLE ADVANCES CAMPUS DEVELOPME...
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at the University of North Carolina Asheville has received a $1.2 million three-year grant award.
According to a news release, the grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) for the “Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program (CDSME)” funding opportunity.
UNC ASHEVILLE ADVANCES CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PLANS DESPITE COMMUNITY CONCERNS
“NCCHW is very excited to receive this grant award that will build on our collaborative statewide partnerships and successes to improve systems of care and make a significant impact on the health and well-being of older adults in North Carolina,” said NCCHW CDSME Project Director Vivian Gettys in the release.
According to the release, the goals of the NCCHW project titled “PATH NC: Promoting Access to Total Health NC” are as follows:
NCCHW has worked with statewide partners to develop a robust CDSME. The NCCHW supports evidence-based program infrastructure serving older adults in North Carolina through previous ACL CDSME grant awards. This new project will increase partnerships with behavioral health organizations to better reach a target population of older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, and other stressors, the release said.
CONSTRUCTION FOR TENNIS FACILITY AT UNCA DELAYED TO MAY DUE TO RECENT WEATHER
The learning collaborative composed of aging/disability and behavioral health services organizations will serve as a model to pilot a comprehensive training protocol for partners, develop person-centered resources, and increase utilization of referral pathways to improve access to evidence-based programs and behavioral health support by older adults across the state.
UNC Asheville said in the release that the collaborative three year project outcomes include the following:
Breaking-and-entering black bear on the loose in Asheville area
Joyce Orlandohttps://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/09/03/black-bear-break-in-asheville-north-carolina-homes-on-loose/91592426007/
Bears are not an uncommon sight in Western North Carolina, but a burglar bear is a little less common.The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has stated that a female bear has been breaking into homes in the Asheville area. Officials believe that she has no fear of people, learned that homes have food for her to eat inside them, and that she poses a threat to humans."She has learned that all homes have food inside. This bear not only poses a risk to human safety, but she is teaching her cubs the same dangerous and...
Bears are not an uncommon sight in Western North Carolina, but a burglar bear is a little less common.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has stated that a female bear has been breaking into homes in the Asheville area. Officials believe that she has no fear of people, learned that homes have food for her to eat inside them, and that she poses a threat to humans.
"She has learned that all homes have food inside. This bear not only poses a risk to human safety, but she is teaching her cubs the same dangerous and unnatural behavior," the N.C. WRC said in an update on Sept. 2.
N.C. WRC first started tracking the bear on Aug. 18, after a Buncombe County resident encountered a female black bear inside her house and sustained non-life-threatening injuries as the bear attempted to exit the home.
Since then, the female bear has tried to break into another four homes.
"She is not afraid of people, causing extensive property damage, and has forcibly entered homes of residents that have no evidence of unsecured trash or other unsecured attractants outdoors," the N.C. WRC said.
Breaking-and-entering black bear in Asheville area
Around 24-hours after her initial break-in on Aug. 18, the bear reportedly broke into a second home and tried to get into another home. The break-ins continued last weekend when the female bear tried to get into two more homes in the Asheville area, N.C. WRC stated.
Officials state they know the same bear is the culprit responsible for all the break-ins due to her "distinctive" markings.
Is the bear still on the loose in Asheville? What will happen to it?
The female bear is on the loose. Once she is captured, the bear will be humanely euthanized, officials said.
Wildlife officials stated that two of her cubs have been captured. Since the cubs are so young, they have been relocated to an undeveloped area to keep them away from populated areas.
Are black bears dangerous? What to do if you see a black bear
N.C. WRC BearWise warns that while black bears are generally not dangerous and rarely aggressive toward humans, people sharing territory with the animals should do their part to reduce the potential for conflict.
Black bear safety program BearWise recommendations include:
What you should do if you run into a black bear in Western North Carolina
The National Park Service suggests people do this if they run into a bear:
Officials seek to capture, ‘humanely dispatch’ bear after Asheville home break-ins
Mary Kate Howlandhttps://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/09/02/officials-continue-search-bear-that-entered-several-asheville-homes/
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) said they are looking for mama bear who needs to be “humanely dispatched” after entering several homes in Asheville since August.Officials said that they have been searching for the bear since Aug. 18. Within 24 hours, the bear forcibly entered two homes in the Spooks Branch Road area, injuring a resident, and attempted to enter a third home.Last weekend, the same bear attempted to enter a fourth home in the neighborhood, and staff suspe...
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) said they are looking for mama bear who needs to be “humanely dispatched” after entering several homes in Asheville since August.
Officials said that they have been searching for the bear since Aug. 18. Within 24 hours, the bear forcibly entered two homes in the Spooks Branch Road area, injuring a resident, and attempted to enter a third home.
Last weekend, the same bear attempted to enter a fourth home in the neighborhood, and staff suspects she attempted to enter a fifth home, officials said. Through monitoring efforts, staff confirmed she was in very close proximity at the time of recent attempted entries.
According to officials, the bear is not afraid of people, and she has forcibly entered homes of residents that have no evidence of unsecured trash or other outdoor attractants. She has learned that all homes have food inside. She not only poses a risk to human safety, but she is teaching her cubs the same unnatural behavior.
Mountain Operations Supervisor James Tomberlin shared that staff successfully captured the bear’s cubs, which were assessed and determined to be self-sufficient. They were moved and released in an undeveloped area where they can thrive as wild black bears, as they are young enough to adapt to living in a new place.
Asheville residents are reminded of the following:
According to officials, it is too late to reverse the adult bear’s dangerous behavior and leaving or relocating her poses a threat to human safety. Upon being found, she will be “humanely dispatched.”
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, .
Disclaimer:
