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totally ridiculous scenario

May 05, 2025 06:47PM
I was assigned a phone shop for medical insurance. The directions say to ask about rates for insurance in my home town and then say that I snow bird in another location for 4 to 5 months a year so want rates for the insurance for the time I am snow birding. I made the call and as expected the agent told me that I would have ONE insurance and for my permanent residence and use that same coverage while snow birding. I wrote the report and then contacted the shop company to tell them that the scenario was ridiculous. The reply was that he directions are being formulated by a group of graduate students and that they are not willing to modify the scenario. They want to hear the rates for both states. oh, ok if so I suggested 2 different shops. One shopper shop one state the other the second state. I was told that the students do not want to modify their plans. Students who know nothing about insurance writing the shop directions and for. That was a first for me.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2025 06:48PM by Fatlady.
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May 05, 2025 06:56PM
What did this pay that you even entertained the idea to do the shop to begin with? please tell me it was more than a $4 phone call. Heck, I wouldn't do it for $10.
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May 05, 2025 07:05PM
Goodness, I hope the grad students aren't finance majors.

It's pretty simple, actually. Change it to you live at one address half the year and the other half the year. You want the rates for both places to help you choose which one you will designate your permanent address. It's just one call of several in the decision process for your imaginary situation.

But, considering their initial response, I would not waste the effort.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2025 07:07PM by Deedeezthoughts.
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May 05, 2025 07:11PM
I was contacted about this shop also. It is a recorded call so cannot change the script. One state is home state other is 4 -5 months a year. I declined the shop after reading the 15 pages of directions which were poorly written and redundant. Shop was for 65 plus shoppers and included a full primer on Medicare which I laughed at.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2025 07:15PM by OldmanJames.
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May 05, 2025 07:23PM
I did not mean to suggest that you perform the shop in a way that makes sense. Merely that they could fix it if they got past the hurdle of their own egos.
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May 05, 2025 07:24PM
My in laws are actually snowbirds like this. They live in IL and go down to FL for about 4 mths a year. They're on Medicare and probably a supplemental policy, so I can understand the scenario but sounds like a lot of work for a phone shop.

The grad students should learn to accept feedback and modify as necessary. Back in 2020, I had 3 college grad interns and they were all entering the world of basic adulting but since they had been on their parents insurance, they really had no clue about insurance, 401ks, etc.
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May 05, 2025 07:26PM
Side note, I hope you were paid for the shop even if they didn't get what they wanted
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May 05, 2025 08:14PM
I see nothing at all bad with this shop as reported on the thread. I only know what is written here as I have not seen the guidelines myself. I actually think the shop as presented by the OP makes a lot of sense and I know a lot about insurance and how it works.and in particular Medicare. But most people do not know a lot about insurance and I expect a good number of those who are snowbirds and are on Medicare to make this same inquiry especially if they are new to Medicare and having two residences. Medicare and how to navigate it seems to be a favorite past time of discussion for seniors.
And yes, if you are required to get the rates for both states I would say use the 50/50 scenario suggested above or tell them you are contemplating changing your main residence but want to check both locations for rates as this is a big concern of yours.
If this shop includes the Advantage plans most of them are not portable from one state to another except in case of an emergency medical need so it is a big issue as I said for Snowbird seniors.
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May 05, 2025 08:20PM
I would say 15 page of instx was an automatic NO for a shop.

I wouldn't entertain the idea of doing a phone call shop for less than $10.

if there are more pages of instrx than dollars paid for the shop, I'm out!

The only phone calls shop i do are the stagecoach bank complaint shops. 2 per month at $25 each.
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May 05, 2025 11:50PM
I have to look up what is snow birding.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
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May 06, 2025 01:32AM
Snow birding is when people vacation in a different state for a few months a year like Chicago people going to Florida for 2 months a year.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2025 01:32AM by Fatlady.
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May 06, 2025 01:44AM
Maybe those students should make the calls?
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May 06, 2025 11:44AM
Yes the students should call and demonstrate their lack of understanding of how nationwide coverage from one policy works. I have had Medicare for 10 years. Traveled extensively staying with family across the country for months at a time. Never had issues with coverage for medical care with my BC/BS Medicare supplement plan G.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2025 11:44AM by OldmanJames.
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