Free Tool · The Clearing
You heard a pitch.
Here is what to verify before you respond.
Medicare sales presentations are designed to move quickly. This tool slows it down. Tell us what you heard — we will show you the specific things to confirm independently before you sign anything.
Step 1 of 3 — What you were offered
What type of plan were you pitched?
Step 2 of 3 — What they emphasized
What did the agent or presentation focus on? (Select all that apply)
Step 3 of 3 — Your verification checklist
Before you respond to the agent, confirm each of the following independently — using the plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC), Medicare.gov, or your own doctor's office.
Four things not to do before you decide
- Do not sign on the same day you hear the pitch. There is no Medicare enrollment deadline that expires in 24 hours.
- Do not give your Medicare number to anyone who approached you — by phone, door, or event.
- Do not let the extras decide it. Dental and vision benefits are valuable. They are not worth a plan that denies a surgery.
- Do not assume low premium means low cost. In a serious illness year, the math often reverses.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
You have a Trial Right — for now.
If you are new to Medicare Advantage (within your first 12 months), you have a guaranteed right to return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Medigap supplement without medical underwriting. After 12 months, that right expires — and your health history becomes a factor.
This tool provides educational questions based on federal Medicare policy. It does not evaluate specific plans or provide insurance advice. Verify all information in the plan's Evidence of Coverage and at Medicare.gov.
Why this tool exists
What sales presentations are designed not to cover
Medicare Advantage plans work well for many people. The problem is not the plans — it is the presentation. A well-designed sales pitch leads with the benefits and moves past the limitations quickly. The limitations are where the decision actually lives.
This tool does not tell you which plan to choose. It tells you what to look up before you choose. The difference matters: an agent has a financial interest in your enrollment. This checklist does not.
Common questions
What is the Medicare Trial Right?
If you switch to Medicare Advantage and decide within 12 months that it is not right for you, you have a guaranteed right to return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Medigap plan without medical underwriting. This right expires after 12 months.
What is a Medicare Advantage MOOP and how does it compare to Plan G?
The MOOP on Medicare Advantage plans can be $9,250 or higher in-network in 2026. Medigap Plan G limits your annual out-of-pocket to the Part B deductible only ($283 in 2026). Agents often compare Advantage to bare Original Medicare, omitting the supplement option entirely.
Do I still pay the Part B premium if I enroll in Medicare Advantage?
Yes. The standard Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) applies regardless of whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. A $0 plan premium does not eliminate the Part B premium.
What is prior authorization in Medicare Advantage?
Prior authorization means the plan must approve certain services before you receive them. Original Medicare does not require prior authorization. In Medicare Advantage, prior authorization requirements vary by plan and can delay or deny care.
Can I be locked into a Medicare Advantage plan for more than one year?
No — you can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) each year. However, once your Trial Right expires and you want to return to a Medigap supplement, insurers can deny you or charge more based on your health history.
WANT TO TALK IT THROUGH?
Fern can walk you through what you heard — what the terms mean, what to look for in the Evidence of Coverage, and whether your situation fits the plan being offered. No sales. No commission. No agenda.