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Medicare Agent in Gilbert, AZ
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 Gilbert, AZ 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 Gilbert, AZ
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Gilbert, AZ
- 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:

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 Gilbert, AZ
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 Gilbert, AZ 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 Gilbert, AZ
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 Gilbert, AZ. 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 57 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Latest News in Gilbert, AZ
Nonverbal students in Gilbert classroom become ABC15's newest Kidcasters
Jorge Torreshttps://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/nonverbal-students-in-gilbert-classroom-become-abc15s-newest-kidcasters
GILBERT, AZ — One classroom in Gilbert talks about the forecast every single morning in a unique way.Daphne Fuller's class at Patterson Elementary, near Guadalupe Road and Val Vista Drive, is ABC15's newest group of Kidcasters. There are six fifth- and sixth-graders in the room. There are also six very big personalities."They're fun, and they're sassy, and they're caring and sarcastic, and you wouldn't know it unless you're in here," Fuller said.Meteorologist Jorge Torres visited on one of the wettest mor...
GILBERT, AZ — One classroom in Gilbert talks about the forecast every single morning in a unique way.
Daphne Fuller's class at Patterson Elementary, near Guadalupe Road and Val Vista Drive, is ABC15's newest group of Kidcasters. There are six fifth- and sixth-graders in the room. There are also six very big personalities.
"They're fun, and they're sassy, and they're caring and sarcastic, and you wouldn't know it unless you're in here," Fuller said.
Meteorologist Jorge Torres visited on one of the wettest mornings the Valley has had in a while. For a class that talks about the weather every day, the timing was perfect.
Most of Fuller's students are nonverbal. She calls the way they talk total communication.
"Body language, eye gaze, facial expressions, vocalizations, motor movements. It could be anything," Fuller said. "You kind of really need to get to know them as a whole person."
Every morning, the class uses total communication to go over the weather. Most days, it's the same forecast.
"Typically it's hot and sunny. But you know, when it gets to winter, it's cold and sunny," Fuller said.
Fuller said what people might not realize about her students is that they're just like them.
"We have a lot to learn from them just as much as they have a lot to learn from us," Fuller said. "They're showing something that a lot of people don't get to see, and that's how they communicate, and how that can look different, and what it means to be a respectful communicator."
Fuller admitted the big day came with some nerves.
"I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. But I'm proud of them. They all did so good," she said.
The class wrapped up the morning by singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider."
Fitting for a rainy day.
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Gilbert man turns ALS diagnosis into mission through gaming
Adam Schumeshttps://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/gilbert-man-turns-als-diagnosis-into-mission-through-gaming
GILBERT, AZ — A 29-year-old Gilbert man is using his longtime love of video games to raise awareness and money after being diagnosed with ALS.Jorge de Cardenas, a Mesquite High School graduate, said he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in June after noticing changes including a limp, hand cramps, and multiple falls.“I didn’t have a choice in it,” de Cardenas said. “I stopped being scared, and I just decided to be brave.”De Cardenas, a licensed behavior analyst w...
GILBERT, AZ — A 29-year-old Gilbert man is using his longtime love of video games to raise awareness and money after being diagnosed with ALS.
Jorge de Cardenas, a Mesquite High School graduate, said he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in June after noticing changes including a limp, hand cramps, and multiple falls.
“I didn’t have a choice in it,” de Cardenas said. “I stopped being scared, and I just decided to be brave.”
De Cardenas, a licensed behavior analyst who has worked with children with autism, created GAMINGwithALS with help from his younger brother, Daniel.
Through the Twitch channel, de Cardenas plays video games while sharing what living with ALS looks like day to day.
“It’s not about the games, it’s about the message,” de Cardenas said.
His family is part of that effort. Daniel helps manage the stream, while de Cardenas’ wife, Angely, helps with his daily needs.
The diagnosis came shortly after Jorge and Angely were married and as they were making plans for their future.
“Right now we have no idea,” Angely de Cardenas said. “But we have each other, and we have love and positivity and strength.”
GAMINGwithALS is also raising money through ALS Arizona ahead of the Scottsdale Walk ALS on Nov. 7 at Salt River Fields. The team has surpassed its $10,000 fundraising goal, according to ALS Arizona.
Angie Tigges, vice president of development for ALS Arizona, said de Cardenas is helping introduce the disease to a younger audience.
“There’s so many people that don’t understand what ALS is, and he’s educating a whole new demographic,” Tigges said.
For de Cardenas, sharing his experience is about more than his own diagnosis.
“I feel like ALS needs a voice,” he said. “And I feel like I could be a voice for ALS.”
2026 Rate Changes: Water and Solid Waste & Recycling
gilbertaz.govhttps://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/finance-mgmt-services/utilities/proposed-2026-utility-rate-changes
The Gilbert Town Council approved rate adjustments to water and solid waste & recycling rates.Starting with April's utility bill, all Gilbert utility customers will see increases in water and solid waste & recycling rates. The Town Council approved these adjustments during the February 17 meeting to help fund major water infrastructure projects.This is the third year of the proposed three‑part water rate increase that began in 2024. These steps are part of our long‑term planning to prepare for ongoing water shortage...
The Gilbert Town Council approved rate adjustments to water and solid waste & recycling rates.
Starting with April's utility bill, all Gilbert utility customers will see increases in water and solid waste & recycling rates. The Town Council approved these adjustments during the February 17 meeting to help fund major water infrastructure projects.
This is the third year of the proposed three‑part water rate increase that began in 2024. These steps are part of our long‑term planning to prepare for ongoing water shortages on the Colorado River. Completing this phase will help stabilize our utility funds, allowing any future increases, if needed, to be smaller, more predictable, and easier for customers to plan for.
Strengthening our water portfolio now ensures we can continue protecting Gilbert’s quality of life, even as regional water challenges intensify. To better understand the water challenges we face both statewide and locally, watch the in-depth video below that answers the questions you've asked and shows how your dollars are being spent.
To protect our water future, Gilbert has been investing in:
These investments ensure you have clean, safe drinking water that continues to flow to your home and every business in our community. There are 93 Capital Improvement Projects planned for the next decade and 46 are currently active. To reduce the impact on residents, the Town has reprioritized or deferred $239 million in projects, helping avoid a 55% rate increase.
The Town of Gilbert collaborates with AZCEND on Gilbert's Utility Bill Assistance Program which offers eligible households up to $360 per year to help reduce their utility costs.
Apply for Bill Assistance →
Water conservation is more important than ever and Gilbert offers a variety of programs from water check-ups to rebates to help you achieve your conservation goal and ultimately save you money on your utility bill.
Tips on How to Conserve Water →
Final charges for each customer vary by meter size and water consumption. Determine your specific new bill charges using this calculator. You may find your current water usage and meter size on your latest utility bill.
Launch Calculator →
The Town uses a professional firm to conduct an in-depth analysis of any proposed rates based on infrastructure and resource needs.
View Rate Study →
We're committed to keeping residents informed. Stay tuned for updates. Subscribe to Gilbert's newsletter for the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water treatment and supply are becoming more costly. Gilbert is working to secure water resources for our community amid ongoing Colorado River shortages. Infrastructure such as treatment plants, pipes, and wells age over time, with utility rates helping cover their upkeep and replacement. Additionally, inflation in labor, energy, materials, and chemicals continues to drive costs higher.
Gilbert uses a tiered rate system, where water becomes more expensive as your usage increases. This encourages conservation and keeps costs down for those who use less. In Gilbert, over half of bills issued in 2024 were in the lowest usage tier. On the other hand, 7% of Gilbert’s total water is used by fewer than 1,000 homes.
Yes. Developers pay their fair share of utility fees.
While apartment complexes consume more total water, individual homes have significantly higher water use per dwelling, mostly from outdoor activities, which account for 50-70% of their consumption. In Gilbert, single-family homes represent the majority of water use, with usage more than double that of all schools, businesses, government facilities, and multi-family residences combined. Additionally, when new homes, apartments, businesses are built in Gilbert, developers pay a System Development Fee, which buys into the capacity of our water system and helps pay for construction needed to expand those facilities and provide the development with water service.
Myth: Apartments use a huge amount of water, and that makes things more expensive for homeowners.
Fact: Single-family homes use more than 2/3 of Gilbert's water, and more than 17x as much as apartments/multi-family residences.
If you live in a single-family home, reducing outdoor use lowers your bill. It's also good for conservation since outdoor water can't be reclaimed.
Growth pays for growth, and impact fees cannot cover everyday needs such as repairs or updates beyond expansion. These fees cover the costs of necessary upgrades to our system as more people move in, such as wells. User fees are the monthly rates we all pay for the water we use. User fees pay for operations, maintenance, and existing debt service. These fees cannot be used to pay for expansions or other government services.
Impact Fees (System Development Fees)
Rates (User Fees)
For many years, Gilbert’s Town Council kept water costs flat. Looking back, this was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it meant that residents enjoyed years of steady, low rates. On the other hand, it means that now, as the cost of everything is rising, the Town has to make up revenue.
This doesn’t mean previous decision-making was careless. It means the timing is tough. No one could have foreseen the aggressive rise of inflation and other external economic factors beyond the Town’s control that drive up the cost of essential resources the community relies on.
Rather than going into a giant, abstract pot of money, each line item on your bill goes to paying for that specific service. Your water bill funds the water department, your trash bill funds the solid waste/recycling department, etc. Each of the Town's utility services operates as a self-sustaining business.
Water rates pay for:
Myth: My water bill is being used to fund new housing developments.
Fact: Water bills fund the Town's water service and nothing else. Real estate developers pay their fair share by paying a System Development Fee when they want to build in Gilbert.
Below is a breakdown of the monthly water charges based on consumption for customers with a ¾" meter (the standard size for a single-family home) and a 1" meter.
These water rates work like a tax bracket; the first 8,000 gallons you use are charged at the lowest rate, then the next 12,000 at a higher rate, and so on.
If you have talked with friends in Chandler, Tempe, or other nearby cities, you may have heard that their utility rates are lower than yours. To see them side by side, take a look at the charts below of annual water rates among Valley cities:
The current rates support the maintenance and upgrade of our aging infrastructure amid rising replacement costs. We are rebuilding the North Water Treatment Plant, the largest investment in Gilbert’s water system and essential for long-term water resilience. Once complete, it will supply 70% of Gilbert’s water needs, serving 250,000 residents and providing 60 million gallons daily.
In addition, Gilbert is investing in eight groundwater wells that will provide access to stored groundwater and back up supply to 73,000 residents.
A total of 20 wells are currently in our groundwater portfolio.
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