Products & Services
As an agency, our priority is to make sure that everyone has the right insurance for their situation. So, a large portion of our time is spent educating people about insurance and all the different products out there.
We host educational webinars and online workshops for groups of any size, businesses, and organizations. When it's safe to do so, we host educational seminars, workshops and various types of events at community centers, senior buildings, and public libraries throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. If you’d like us to speak to your organization or group, feel free to contact us in order to set something up.
If you’d like to speak with an agent by phone or meet with an agent in person on an individual, one-on-one basis, just request a free consultation and we’ll get in touch with you right away.
Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Many people younger than 65 also have Medicare, such as disabled individuals, people with end stage renal disease, and people with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
It’s important to sign up for Medicare at the right time and choose your coverage correctly because making a mistake could be very costly in the end. Aside from not having the right coverage, you could be assessed monetary penalties that last for the rest of your life. If you have even the slightest doubts about your coverage, give us a call or request a free consultation.
Medicare Supplements (Medigap)
Original Medicare pays a huge chunk of your medical bills, but there are deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that you’re responsible for. Medicare was designed to pay most of your medical expenses, but not all of them.
Medicare Supplements help pay for expenses like deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Medicare Supplements are also known as "Medigap" policies because they help "fill in the gaps" in coverage of Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplements are sold by private insurance companies, but the policies are standardized and regulated by the federal government. The plans vary in what they cover, so you could pick a plan that covers some of the deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, or you could pick a plan that covers just about all of them. Some Medicare Supplements cover expenses that Medicare doesn't cover at all.
When you have a Medicare Supplement, Medicare pays its portion of the medical bills first. Then, the Medicare Supplement pays its share of the bills. You're responsible for whatever is left over (if anything).
Medicare Supplements don't work with Medicare Advantage plans. It's illegal for an agent to sell you a Medicare Supplement if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that you're going to keep. You should either have Original Medicare plus a supplement OR a Medicare Advantage plan.
Request a quote for a Medicare Supplement plan to see what they have to offer. A Medicare Supplement plan may be the right choice for you.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Medicare benefits. In other words, you can get your Medicare coverage the traditional way, through the federal government (Original Medicare), or you can get your Medicare coverage through an insurance company (Medicare Advantage).
When you have a Medicare Advantage plan, a private insurance company administers your Medicare benefits for you. So, instead of the federal government paying your claims, an insurance company pays your claims. Instead of showing your red, white, and blue Medicare card at the doctor’s office, you show your insurance card.
Medicare Advantage plans provide you with all of your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits (except for hospice care, which is always covered by Medicare Part A). Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Many plans offer additional benefits like vision and dental coverage. You'll also see plans that include health club memberships, discounts on over-the-counter products, 24-hour nurse hotlines, and many other value-added benefits.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplements don't work together. In fact, it's illegal for an agent to sell you a Medicare Advantage plan if you have a Medicare Supplement that you plan on keeping. You should either have Original Medicare plus a supplement OR a Medicare Advantage plan. Remember, Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Supplements, on the other hand, are designed to work in tandem with Original Medicare.
Deciding on whether to go with a Medicare Advantage plan or with Original Medicare is a big choice. There are a lot of factors to consider and it’s a very personal decision. When you request a quote for Medicare Advantage plans, we’ll help you decide if Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage is the right choice for you. If you decide on pursuing a Medicare Advantage plan, we’ll find a plan that has the benefits you want. We'll make sure your doctors and preferred hospitals are in the plan's network and we'll make sure that your prescriptions are covered by the plan.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
With only a few exceptions, Original Medicare does not cover outpatient prescription drugs. Medicare Part A covers medications administered in the hospital and Part B covers some medications that are administered in outpatient treatment facilities or doctor's offices.
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans cover medications that are prescribed by your doctor for outpatient medical treatment (e.g. prescriptions that you take on your own).
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are run by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. These plans are highly regulated by the federal government and must adhere to strict guidelines.
Most Medicare Advantage plans come with prescription drug coverage. However, if you’re getting your coverage through Original Medicare, you’ll need a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. It’s important to have a Medicare drug plan even if you don’t take any prescriptions so that you can avoid future monetary penalties. Give us a call or request a quote for Medicare Prescription Drug plans and we’ll show you the most cost-effective way to get comprehensive coverage.
Life Insurance
The main reason people get life insurance is for income protection. When someone dies, the loss of their future income can be financially devastating to a family. Most people underestimate how much life insurance they actually need for their families. When you request a quote for life insurance, we’ll help you find the right amount of coverage at an affordable price.
People also make the mistake of only insuring the main bread-winner of the family. They forget to take into account how much it would cost to replace what the stay-at-home spouse does with paid services and assistance.
Some people also use life insurance as a way to safely save money over a long period of time. In the past, many wealthy families grew their fortunes with the help of whole life insurance. Today, more and more people are using permanent life insurance policies to help fund their retirements. If you’d like to see how this works, request a free consultation.
Final Expense Insurance
Final Expense Insurance is a specific type of life insurance policy that’s designed to cover funeral costs and other incidental expenses when you pass so that you’re not a burden to your loved ones. Final Expense Insurance is also known as “burial insurance.”
Final Expense Insurance policies are guaranteed to pay the death benefit no matter how long you live and the premiums stay the same for your entire life. They’re easy to qualify for, there’s usually no medical exam, and the application process is quick and easy. The premiums are affordable because the coverage amounts are usually $25,000 or less. To find out more, request a quote for Final Expense Insurance.
Supplemental Insurance
Supplemental insurance, also known as “ancillary insurance,” is optional coverage that helps pay for the things health insurance and Medicare don’t cover. Supplemental insurance policies are separate from your health and Medicare coverage and separate premiums are charged for these plans.
There are many types of supplemental insurance products available to help meet the needs of people in a variety of situations.
Some supplemental plans provide benefits for expenses that may not be covered under a health plan. Examples of this type of plan include dental and vision coverage.
Other plans pay lump-sum cash benefits directly to you. The money can be used not only to pay deductibles or coinsurance, but also to pay the rent or mortgage, cover travel expenses, pay for groceries, or just help pay everyday living expenses.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance helps cover the cost of routine dental care and most minor procedures. Some plans offer more extensive coverage like crowns, root canals and partial dentures, but benefits are usually capped at a certain dollar amount like $1,000 or $1,500.
Most dental plans have waiting periods of six months or more before more extensive coverage begins. This is to discourage people who need a lot of dental work from signing up for plans and expecting the insurance company to pay all of their bills.
Depending on your situation, it may not make sense to purchase dental insurance. In many cases, your dental provider may offer more cost-effective ways to take care of your needs. The best way to determine how to get the dental coverage that’s right for you is to talk with your dentist and also request a quote for dental insurance from us. We’ll help you compare your options and figure out how to get the coverage that fits your situation the best.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance helps cover the cost of routine vision care. Most plans help cover eye exams with an optometrist and the cost of corrective lenses.
Most major eye-related issues such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal problems, etc. are covered by health insurance and Medicare because these are considered medical conditions and are treated by medical doctors who specialize in eye care.
It doesn’t always make sense to get vision insurance since many major retailers offer packages that include eyeglasses, contact lenses and eye exams. When you request a quote for vision insurance, we’ll show you the vision plans that are available to you and compare them with the programs offered by optometrists and retailers in your area.
Accident Insurance
Accident insurance provides you with a lump-sum payment after you receive treatment for an injury due to an accident. Accident policies complement your health insurance by providing benefits beyond what your health coverage provides.
Many health insurance plans have high deductibles and, after an accident, you could end up having to pay the entire cost of your treatment. An accident policy can help lessen or eliminate this financial burden.
An accident could force you to miss a few days of work. The payment from an accident policy could help you pay your bills and buy groceries while you're recovering.
Accidents happen. You can't plan for them. But, with an accident policy, you can be financially prepared for when they do happen. Request a quote for accident insurance to see if this type of coverage is right for you.
Cancer & Critical Illness Insurance
Cancer and critical illness policies provide a lump-sum payment after you’re diagnosed with a covered illness. Depending on the plan you choose, many illnesses and conditions may be covered including cancer, stroke, heart attack, blindness, disability, organ transplants, and a variety of lesser known diseases. Some policies cover over 100 different diseases.
Cancer and Critical Illness policies complement your health insurance by providing benefits beyond what your health coverage provides.
If you or a loved one is seriously ill, there’s a good chance that you’ll miss a lot of time at work. Even though your health insurance is taking care of the medical bills, you may have a hard time coming up with the rent, mortgage, grocery, and other normal living expenses. You may also incur a number of other expenses like travel to distant hospitals, hotel stays, and covering expenses that health insurance doesn’t cover. These policies are designed to give you the cash needed to make it through these tough times.
Many health insurance plans have very high deductibles. Cancer and critical illness policies can eliminate this financial burden.
There’s no doubt that when serious illness strikes, there will be a severe financial burden placed on you and your family. It doesn’t help matters when a seriously ill person worries about finances at the same time they’re trying to focus on getting healthy. These policies are designed to alleviate your financial worries so that you can focus on getting well. To learn more about these plans, request a quote for cancer & critical illness insurance.
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hospital indemnity insurance is designed to help alleviate the costs associated with being hospitalized. These policies can offer a lump sum cash benefit, a "per day" cash benefit, or both.
Hospital indemnity policies complement your health insurance by providing benefits beyond what your health coverage provides.
Health insurance and Medicare will take care of the bulk of the medical bills when you're hospitalized. But, there are also high deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance to deal with. In addition, time off from work may mean that many of the normal living expenses will be difficult to pay.
Hospital indemnity insurance can lessen the blow, and oftentimes alleviate the financial burden of a hospitalization. Hospital indemnity coverage work very well with Medicare Advantage plans by covering the daily hospital copayments. They work well with health insurance plans by covering the annual deductible.
To see if this coverage would be a good addition to your existing health plan, request a quote for hospital indemnity insurance.
Short-Term Care Insurance
We often think of long-term nursing home care as something reserved only for the elderly. But that’s not the case. An astounding number of younger people spend time in nursing facilities as they recover from illnesses and injuries.
Long-term care is an issue that affects all ages. In the past, long-term care insurance was used to help cover these expenses. But, long-term care insurance has become increasingly difficult to qualify for and difficult to afford.
Nowadays, life insurance policies offer riders that help cover the cost of long-term care. It's important to point out that almost half of all long-term care insurance claims are for less than one year. This is where short-term care insurance comes in.
Short-term care policies cover home care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. These policies provide coverage for up to 365 days. They are easier to qualify for than long-term care policies and are much more affordable.
You can put together a very solid long-term care protection plan by combining a life insurance rider and short-term care policy. To find out more, request a quote for short-term care insurance.
Home Health Care Insurance
Recovering from an accident or illness can be very expensive in a nursing home or assisted living facility. A more affordable alternative that is usually just as effective is home health care.
Home health care covers a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home such as physical therapy, wound care, speech therapy, medical treatments, respiratory therapy, and skilled assistance. So, instead of spending a few months in a facility receiving care, you can recover and receive medical attention in the comfort of your home.
If you’re considering long-term nursing care for assistance with activities of daily living, home health care may be a preferred option since you can remain at home while receiving custodial care.
Most home health care policies offer up to 52 weeks of coverage. But, depending on how many days each week care is required, coverage could last a few years. Request a quote for home health care insurance to see if this type of coverage is right for you.
Health Insurance
Health insurance covers the cost of your medical expenses. Health insurance is designed to protect you and your family from the potentially catastrophic financial aspects of illness or injury: the expenses of physicians, surgeons, and hospitalizations.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, introduced many positives to the world of health insurance, like guaranteed coverage and coverage for preexisting conditions. But, there are a lot of negatives, like high premiums, high deductibles, and insurance companies that left the marketplace.
Although you may find an affordable health plan, it probably won't cover things the way that you expected them to. We can help you navigate through the health insurance maze and put together a plan that gives you the coverage you want.
You can shop online for ACA health insurance plans, or request a quote for health insurance to see if non-ACA plans fit your situation.Policy Review
We recommend conducting an annual policy review to make sure that your insurance benefits meet your current needs. We offer complimentary policy reviews to residents of Illinois and Indiana.
People often say, "I don't need a policy review, I've got enough insurance." That may be the case. But, did you ever think that you might be over-insured? You may actually need less coverage and could save a lot of money by scaling back.
You may be paying for insurance coverage that you don't need.
On the other hand, maybe you do need a little more coverage. It's also possible that you'd be better served with a different type of plan. The best way to find out is to request a free consultation. We offer consultations over the phone and in-person.
