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20 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | March 28, 2022 With more Medicare health plan options than ever before, beneficiaries are faced with an overload of information. Here's how a health insurance broker can help them sort through it and find the right fit. Medicare beneficiaries have access to more health plan options than ever before, in which they can choose from an average of 33 Medicare Advantage plan options in 2021, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Knowing where to start and how to sift through information can often be the hardest part. For most people, a multitude of other factors are considered in the decision-making process—from personal health status and lifestyle needs to location and finances. In Connecticut, using a health insurance broker can help consumers find a Medicare plan that works for them. Here are ways brokers can help aid in the decision-making process. Expertise that can help identify key differentiators in the marketplace. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 57 Medicare Advantage plans were available in Connecticut for the 2022 plan year, compared to 47 in 2021. As the number of plan options continues to trend upward, it becomes even harder for beneficiaries to decipher between products and services. This ultimately poses a greater challenge for them to make the best decision for their health while also adhering to strict enrollment deadlines. Not only must beneficiaries have an eye for key differentiators in the market (whether it be robust wellness benefits, quality dental and vision coverage or large network offerings), but they must also find what meshes best with their personal needs. Leaning on the expertise of a licensed insurance broker can help ensure that these individualized needs are taken into consideration when it comes to choosing the right plan. A health insurance broker often represents multiple insurance companies in the market, which is different than the work of a health insurance agent, who typically has a contractual agreement and affinity toward only one insurance plan in the market. Brokers will present consumers with a unique portfolio of options and create an ongoing communication stream to guide the consumer through benefit packages, pricing terms and ultimately, the enrollment process. Brokers act as advocates to provide services for beneficiaries, helping them compare multiple options at once, analyzing programs and products in real time and guiding them to make an informed decision about what the best coverage option is for them. A resource of extensive health insurance knowledge. When it comes to health care, there are a lot of confusing terms—especially when it comes to pricing. Brokers can help break down key terms like deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, coinsurance and premiums so that beneficiaries Know Your Options: Using an Insurance Broker to Find a Medicare Advantage Plan T:13.73"