Hello and welcome to another exciting
episode of Bridge the Gap:Connecting Business Perspectives with your hosts myself, Colton Cockerell and Trisha Stetzel. Our goal is to bridge the generational, gender, and life experience gap in business through our unique styles of gathering information from our guests. This podcast is sponsored by Jim Butcher, who is a relationship banker with Allegiance Bank now let's get it started. All right, hello, everyone and welcome to a another exciting episode of Bridge the Gap. We're connecting business perspectives. My name is Colton Cockerell. I am a Certified Financial Fiduciary, and an independent financial advisor with Sharer McKinley Group. And as always, I have with me, my lovely, my lovely co host somewhere else virtual Miss Trisha Stetzel.
Trisha Stetzel:Thank you, Colton. You know, I feel like I haven't seen you at least in a whole week. I have really miss you. As we smile at each other across the wire. Hey, everyone, Trisha Stetzel, here, owner of Results, Xtreme Business Solutions, and I'm super excited about our guest today. It's actually a young lady that Colton just introduced me to, and I'm so excited to have her on the show. So Miss Marilyn Swanson is the go to person for Medicare, and major health insurance. She's a senior herself, I would never know it Marilyn, and became a licensed life and health insurance agent for Texas in 2010. Since 2016, she's been an independent agent and the chief operating officer of Swanson Health Insurance. As with many small businesses, Marilyn is a referral based business. Marilyn, welcome to the show.
Marilyn Swanson:It's a pleasure to be here and have a chance to interact with two fun people. I know we're gonna have a great time today.
Trisha Stetzel:Oh, yes.
Colton Cockerell:Absolutely. And you know, again, you're going to just be able to hear Marilyn, but you really would never guess how old he was, by the way she acts the way she talks. But she is spoiler alert. She is Medicare age. I can say that. So that's all I'll say. So Marilyn, we don't have you for a long time. So we're gonna go ahead and jump right in. Alright, so let me ask you some questions, really, because I you know, I'm in my 20s. Right, Medicare is not necessarily something that I'm even looking at right now. I know I'm paying into it with my FICA. But I don't really know a lot about it. So really, my questions are going to be geared towards really my parents, because they're right, they're getting towards the age. So we're talking about Medicare. How does it work? There's so many options. I mean, you're getting stuff in the mail, like, like, tell me about it, what's going on?
Marilyn Swanson:I think the really exciting thing about Medicare is there's no one size fits all. And when I say that there are lots of different options for people, depending on a person's health, their financial status, and really what's important to them as far as their doctors, their history, even a little bit on their genetics, believe it or not. And so when I visit with someone who is turning 65, and has questions about Medicare, I like to start out with who they are, what's important to them? Is money more important, or is their health more important? is an individual doctor more important, or are they healthy? Are they taking zero prescription drugs? Or are they taking Unfortunately, that's my introspect introspection, 10 or 12. And that's where we go. I have many of my clients, particularly if it's a spousal type of units, where the husband or the wife is on Medicare. The other spouse who's not yet Medicare age is like I cannot wait 65 years old, because it is really an excellent insurance, health insurance coverage.
Trisha Stetzel:So from my perspective, Marilyn was my mother lives with me, which you don't know. And she is beyond the age of 65. But I do know that there is an importance, let's say, meeting or connection that you should have with your clients every year. Is that right?
Marilyn Swanson:That is absolutely correct. It is coming right up right around the corner between October 15 and December 7.
Trisha Stetzel:So what does that look like for you? Do you visit in person with all of your all of your current clients to review any changes? Tell us about that?
Marilyn Swanson:Well, if the Annual Enrollment Period comes around, like you said, once a year, October 15 to December 7, and what I do in September is I send a letter to all of my existing clients telling or reminding them that they have XYZ plan and they have taking XYZ drugs. What do you want to do now? Do you want to change your things back Last year, I went to see almost everyone who wanted to be seen by me. And some people choose By the way, I'm happy. I don't want to see you, you know, let's not rock the boat. Um, many of the others say, well, let's just look over it. And then of course, remember, I have an older clientele base, they are not necessarily virtually in tune. I have somebody in fact, where I'm setting appointments right now, who said, I would really rather see you in person. How do you feel about that? For the most part, I say yes. Sometimes I say let's kind of meet first by phone, and then we can kind of get some things taken care of, and then I'll meet you on the porch.
Colton Cockerell:And you got to love doing business in the midst of COVID. Right, absolutely. And so you and me, we've actually gone back and forth and talked a lot about social security and medicare and kind of how it overlays. Right? So let's talk about that big day you turn 65. Okay, now Social Security plays into Medicare to an extent. So let's talk about nowadays people are still working, they're not going to retire until 65. Or until 70. Do you have to take Medicare at 65?
Marilyn Swanson:That's a really good question Colton, because there's a heck of a lot of information and some misinformation out there about when you need to take Medicare. If a person has contributed their FICA taxes as you are Colton, you are automatically enrolled on your in your Medicare Part A, which is your hospitalization. When you turn 65, if you are taking Social Security, you are automatically enrolled in Part B, you can choose to opt out you don't have to, if you are not taking your Social Security, and this is so so important. It's really important. Three months, between three months before and three months after your 61st birthday, do sign up on the social security website. And I have a little cheat sheet how I help people do it. In the past, you could also go to offices, like Social Security offices to sign up, guess what? Not happening this year. So you can call up, get a virtual appointment or telephone appointment. So again, it's I hate to keep saying this, but it's so individual, some people I advise, don't take your part B because your group coverage is better. For some people it's not, and not to go into the weeds. But also part of it depends upon the group coverage. If your group is greater than 25, or less than 25. different factors influence it probably beyond the scope of thisopportunity to chat. But that's what I do. And
Colton Cockerell:and so really, if you're so if you're over age 65, it may not make sense to jump on Medicare if you're still working for a company that provides group insurance. Now, now, let me ask you this.
Marilyn Swanson:If you are working for a company that provides good group insurance.
Colton Cockerell:I like that definitely worth saying. So now, you know and I actually get this question quite a quite, quite often whenever I'm putting together Social Security, people who are still working, they asked about well, if I am over 65 in working and I don't elect to take Medicare well, do I have to wait till open enrollment the next year? How does that work?
Marilyn Swanson:No. And that's again, another misconception because you hear so much about the Annual Enrollment Period. But there are a couple of special forms on Social Security website, which of course I have for my clients, or people who I visit with. And there are two forms that you need to fill out if you are deciding to retire. Or as some times is happening in today's world, you are laid off from your position, it's still important to have covergae you have to document that you have covered. Actually, to be perfectly honest. And rolling later is a little more gonna say difficult or time consuming than just the initial Initial Enrollment if everything all the ducks are in a row. Certainly doable. I've done it with a number of people.
Colton Cockerell:I feel my time period. I'm sorry, I wish I was just and there is a time period correct whenever you retire or if your coverage is cancelled at your current work. There's a time period you have until you get penalized for not getting on Medicare, correct?
Marilyn Swanson:Absolutely correct. And they will request documentation That's what's the key point, which is sometimes difficult to obtain the documentation from your company plans on the efficiency of the HR person
Trisha Stetzel:there. So it sounds like Marilyn, somebody should have an advisor, because you happen to be the expert in this area. And not everyone who's even turning 61 knows that they should be doing things right and planning that early in advance. So having an advisor in this space is imperative.
Marilyn Swanson:I couldn't say that more, because unfortunately, I ran into some people who have reached out to me after they're 65. And Saturday, I'm visiting with somebody next week, he said, I made a huge mistake. can we fix it? And sometimes you can fix it. I mean, I've made a huge mistake about my Medicare, sometimes you can fix it, sometimes you can't.
Trisha Stetzel:Okay. Well, and that, you know, yeah. And it's just important, I think, to have somebody by your side, right. And you've got unbiased opinion, opinion, excuse me, when it comes to those things. So I wanted to and I know, Colton, it seems like today, the generational gap, not generational. But the gap that we're bridging is you're really focused on the numbers, right? Because you're a numbers guy, and I'm focused on the fields, right, which is interesting, because my mother lives with me, and we've kind of been through this before. But I would like to say this, Marilyn, about, you know, not just this year, but any year when parents start to move in with their children, being on the lookout, right? So this the message that you have for people today, or the talk that we're having today is not just for people who are going to be 65, it could potentially be for those people who are starting to care for their parents.
Marilyn Swanson:Absolutely. And again, you brought the point out that I was an unbiased consultant, shall we say? And by the way, there are no fees people who charge for what I do, are not doing it. According to the books, no charge to visit with me. Because I'm reimburse through the companies. But I may may or may not have you enroll with being saying that is that I'm licensed with a number of major companies and I don't have one company, that's my go to company because everyone is different. For some people. It's better to go with one company with other people, it's better to go with another company. It depends on I'm sorry, I'm rambling on. But it's so important. I think it depends. If you're smoking, if you're not smoking, if you're a male, if you're a female, what county you live in, what drugs you're taking, it's so individual. And for that reason, I find it, it makes me sad that some people just go online, and enroll your cost as an enrolling whether you go online, or as I always say, you've got Marilyn at your side is exactly the same.
Colton Cockerell:So let's unpack that a little bit more, because that brings up two questions. So what you're saying I mean, cuz Trisha and I talked about this, you know, I'm an independent financial adviser Trisha, I guess you can call yourself an independent, I don't think you'd say there's an independent business coach, business coaches, they have their own their own thing. So you're technically independent, you're not. And then it's good to work with people who are independent. So that's the first thing and you're independent, correct?
Marilyn Swanson:Absolutely. I feel so strongly about that. That's why I work with you Colton.
Colton Cockerell:I love it. And the second thing that wanted to unpack we actually had a a healthcare specialist on a little while back, well, assisted living, he facilitated people going to Assisted living homes, and he was so strong about Listen, you don't pay me, the assisted living facilities, the nursing homes, they pay me to place you. So it my understanding, it's the same way is that you work with people you consult and these medicare, whatever company they use, they're paying you for your service of bringing them to the company, is that correct?
Marilyn Swanson:That is correct. By the way, becoming an agent where I'm licensed to offer with all these different companies requires it's not just signing my name saying Yeah, I'll work with you. I have to go through training every year, I have to go through a national exam first to finish that. And then I have to do individual account exams with each of the companies to make sure that I am familiar with their products. So what I'm telling my clients is follows their direction.
Colton Cockerell:And here I was complaining about my 24 hours every two years for insurance Well, alright. So let me kind of turn. Let me turn the turn of the conversation here and kind of gear it towards fraud. There's a lot of stuff going on right now with with Medicare fraud out there, I mean, talking about the sending in cards that aren't legit mail, mailing separate phone calls all this stuff. Can you kind of elaborate a little bit on that what you're seeing out there?
Marilyn Swanson:Well, this part is fraud that others need probably the most is that people are being charged for services they did not receive. And some of them like some pain doctors, or they're prescribed medications that they don't need, or they're prescribed medical equipment that they don't need. And as a result, that the price or the cost that all of us honest people pay for Medicare goes up. That's why I encourage everyone to look at their bill, they will receive a statement from Medicare directly for Medicare, look at that, look at what your doctor or your hospital sends you, they need to be comparable. And if there is some message in there, in fact, that's what I do. A lot of times, I feel like I spend a lot of time on hold with doctors offices, or with hospitals, or even with Medicare, trying to figure out information for people. Because even though I'm older than the both of you, I have a fair amount of patience. And I don't mind being on hold, I can do a whole lot of other things. When I'm on hold, my fingers are moving along that keyboard. And some of my older, same age as me, some of my clients, unfortunately, when they're on hold, because they're on hold with me work together, and they get so angry. And I keep saying it's okay. Okay, we're going to solve it. Don't be angry, because being angry and yelling at that person is not going to get you anywhere.
Trisha Stetzel:No, it certainly does. Yeah. So again, having an advisor and right that can go along with you and the sidecar and help you with those things is imperative, right? You get your bill, you see something on there that doesn't belong there, it's going to be much easier to engage someone who knows who to get ahold of and how to deal with it, like Miss Marilyn.
Colton Cockerell:Absolutely. And where you
Marilyn Swanson:have to call 800 and be placed on hold and Do you speak English or Spanish or Vietnamese? And then you get to someone else? And they pull up your records? And they really don't know you,
Colton Cockerell:man.
Marilyn Swanson:So don't need to do
Colton Cockerell:that. I have not I haven't heard the Vietnamese one yet. But I'll be listening out for that. But hey, I know how exciting talking about Medicare is right? People are like, yeah, Medicare. So let me go ahead and change the subject to something not as fun just a random question I asked every single week on our show. So Marilyn, this was not pre screened, you have no idea what I'm about to ask. I know you're super like, it's your face. I know you're very concerned. So this isn't too bad. It's not gonna be crazy. If you had an opportunity to live in any time period, or let's just say experience it for one week. What time period would it be? And why?
Marilyn Swanson:Question. Good, random question. I am so happy with my life and I'm going to answer it in a different way. I love being alive. In this year. There are some things about the world that I would like to fix. But I am totally content I can't I don't necessarily want to live in the future. I don't want to live in the past. I am happy with where I am right now. Being able to help people and being supportive friends, family. I'm totally blessed. And I like to feel that I'm a blessing to other people. Okay, I just add one more thing to that too. As you know, I've had other careers in my past I was a college professor, etc. As a Medicare helper, shall we say, I receive so many more warm fuzzies than I ever did, being an administrator.
Colton Cockerell:And I do want to actually ask one additional question because you kind of you kind of weaseled out of it. So you're gonna have to answer this one. Okay. If you had if you had the option to change plate to change the place of any animal for a day, which animal would it be?
Marilyn Swanson:An animal an eagle because they soar over the world a bald eagle because they're unique. They're not around a lot. So they're kind of special. When people see them there say whoa, there goes that bald eagle and I'll say there goes that Marilyn
Colton Cockerell:I know that actually personality very well. I love it. For the record, Trisha and all of our listeners. Marilyn is not bald, I just wanna make sure I know she has a full head of hair. I just want to make sure I throw that disclosure in. He has beautiful hair.
Trisha Stetzel:All right, so we have one I have one more serious question for you, Marilyn, if you do not mind, divulging to our audience, what generation do you belong to? I
Marilyn Swanson:am 75 years old and proud of it.
Trisha Stetzel:Yes, I love it. So we've got a beautiful baby boomer on with us today. Marilyn, do you feel like you identify with other generations outside of the baby boomers? I
Marilyn Swanson:really feel I do. I'm blessed with three wonderful daughters who are in their 40s and blessed with grandchildren. I love to hang with my grandchildren, but they all live out of state. So I don't hang with them very often. But I can be just as silly as they are and do all sorts of crazy things when I'm with people younger than I.
Trisha Stetzel:I love that well, and you're only as young as you act. That's all. All right. So in closing, Marilyn, would you please tell us number one, spell your name for us because people won't be able to? To see us. They're only hearing us. So spell your name and tell us the name of your business and the best way to contact you if they have questions or want to follow up with you.
Marilyn Swanson:Okay, well, my name is Marilyn Swanson. And it's M A R I L Y N last name. Swanson. s w a n s o n. My company is Swanson health insurance. There are two ways to contact me. Primarily one would be by phone. That's 281-773-4210 or by email. That's Marilyn M A R I L Y N at Swanson health insurance.com. Another disclaimer, I am licensed in Texas, which means even though I can answer general questions from people, not in Texas, I can only I'm only more of a net I'm more of an expert for folks who live in Texas than I would be for somebody who lives in Montana, Alaska, New Jersey, wherever.
Trisha Stetzel:Okay, that's fair, Colton. Any last words from you? know,
Colton Cockerell:I just thought I just learned a lot about about Medicare today. So way to make it exciting, Maryland. I appreciate that.
Trisha Stetzel:Yeah, this is amazing. Maryland. Thank you so much for being on the show with us today. It's a pleasure to meet you and to talk with you and I love your energy. It's just coming through the screen like nobody's business. I love it. So for our listeners This concludes this week's podcast Tune in next week for another exciting episode of bridge the gap connecting business perspectives.
Colton Cockerell:Thank you again for tuning in to this week's episode of Bridge the Gap: Connecting BusinessPperspectives. If there's a certain professional or profession that you want to hear from leave a comment in this week's Facebook posts. Please subscribe and share this podcast. Thanks again to our sponsor, Jim Butcher, a relationship banker with Allegiance Bank, Colton Cockerell with Sharer McKinley Group, LLC is located at 820 South Friendswood Drive Suite 207 Friendswood, Texas 77546 phone number to 281-992-5698. Securities and investment advisory services offered through NEXT Financial Group, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC Sharer McKinley Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc.