Our Services
Medicare Enrollment Assistance
Medicare enrollment assistance is free, one-on-one guidance for anyone signing up for Medicare for the first time — whether you're turning 65, retiring, or coming off employer coverage. We walk you through Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage, check that your doctors and prescriptions line up with the plans we offer, and handle the paperwork so nothing slips through the cracks.
What we handle
We confirm your eligibility and enrollment window, explain how Parts A, B, C, and D fit together, and compare the plans we offer against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. We complete the application with you, then confirm your coverage is active before your start date. You're never left on hold with the government trying to decode a form alone.
How it works (step by step)
First, a no-pressure call to learn your situation, providers, and medications. Next, we narrow the plans we offer down to the two or three that fit you best and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Then we submit your enrollment together and verify it processed. Finally, we keep your details on file so future questions are quick to answer.
Who it's for
This service fits people new to Medicare at 65, anyone delaying past 65 who is now leaving a group health plan, and folks who tried to sort it out online and want a local person to double-check their choice. If you've moved to the Sioux Falls area or Siouxland and need to re-pick coverage, we can help with that too.
Why local matters
We live and work in the Big Sioux region, so we know how the Sanford and Avera networks line up with the plans we offer on both sides of the river — South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. That local knowledge means fewer surprises about which clinic, hospital, or specialist you can keep seeing after you enroll.
Questions, answered
Does Medicare enrollment help cost anything?
No. Licensed agents are paid by the insurance carriers when you enroll, not by you, so our help is free whether you sign up through us or just have questions. There's no fee, no obligation, and the plan premium is the same price you'd pay going direct to the carrier. You get a local person in your corner at no added cost.
How long does the enrollment process take?
A first conversation usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, and the application itself is quick once you've chosen a plan. We recommend starting about three months before you want coverage to begin so there's time to compare the options we offer and confirm everything processes on schedule, without anyone feeling rushed into a decision.
What information should I have ready?
It helps to have your Medicare card or your Part A and Part B start dates, a list of your current doctors, and a list of your prescriptions with dosages. With those three things we can match you to the plans we offer that keep your providers and medications in the strongest position. If you don't have it all handy, we'll work with what you've got.
Can you help if I already have Medicare but want to change plans?
Yes. If you're already enrolled and want to review or switch during a valid enrollment period, we compare your current coverage to the plans we offer and help you change if a better fit exists for your doctors and drugs. There's no charge to take a fresh look, even if you originally signed up somewhere else.
When can I first sign up for Medicare?
Most people use their Initial Enrollment Period, a seven-month window that starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and runs three months after. If you're past 65 and leaving employer coverage, a Special Enrollment Period may apply instead. We confirm exactly which window is yours so you sign up on time and avoid gaps.
What happens if I miss my Medicare enrollment deadline?
Missing your window can mean a lifelong late-enrollment penalty added to your Part B or Part D premium, plus a wait for coverage to start. The rules differ depending on whether you had other creditable coverage. We check your dates early and flag any deadline coming up, so you don't get stuck with an avoidable surcharge or a coverage gap.
Do I need to enroll in Medicare if I'm still working past 65?
Not always. If you or your spouse have creditable coverage through a current employer, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty and enroll later through a Special Enrollment Period. The right answer depends on the employer's size and your specific coverage. We review your situation and tell you plainly whether to enroll now or wait.
How do I sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B?
If you're already drawing Social Security, you're usually enrolled in Parts A and B automatically around 65. If not, you apply through Social Security online, by phone, or in person. We help you confirm whether you're auto-enrolled or need to apply, get the timing right, and then match Part C or Part D coverage from the plans we offer.
Can you help if I'm getting Medicare because of a disability?
Yes. If you qualify for Medicare before 65 due to a disability, you generally become eligible after a set period of receiving disability benefits, and you have your own enrollment window. The choices work much the same way once you're eligible. We walk you through your timing and compare the plans we offer against your doctors and medications.
Will you help me sign up for a prescription drug plan too?
Absolutely. Drug coverage is part of the picture, whether through a standalone Part D plan paired with Original Medicare or built into a Medicare Advantage plan. We run your prescription list against the plans we offer to find strong coverage for your medications, and we set it up alongside your medical coverage so nothing is left uncovered.