For Reed Richmond, Comparing Medicare Plans Is an Annual Routine — and eHealth Makes It Simple

When Reed Richmond retired five years ago, he encountered a common problem among many newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries. 

“I had plenty of Medicare options, but I didn’t have a way to compare them side by side,” said Reed, 70, who retired after a career in public health education.  

Then the Ohio resident learned about eHealth. 

Reed went online and discovered he could compare Medicare Advantage plans based on the factors that mattered most to him — from plan offerings to his doctors and prescription medications. 

“It was so simple,” he said. “You could compare what was covered and what wasn't and what the rates were.” 

Five years later, Reed is still using eHealth every fall. While he is happy with his current Medicare coverage, Reed wants to make sure he stays that way. 

From four plans to one 

Reed's first experience with eHealth was entirely online. 

He started by looking at plans from four insurance companies. Using eHealth’s MatchFinder® tool, he narrowed those options to two. 

“The thing that was so convenient was having all the plans laid out side by side,” Reed said. 

That allowed him to evaluate his choices using his own healthcare priorities rather than trying to make sense of different plan materials individually. 

But Reed didn't stop once he selected a plan. Each year since, he has returned to eHealth to check his Medicare Advantage plans against the alternatives available to him. 

“I do it every year at the end of October to make sure I’m in the best plan for me,” he said. 

Why checking every year matters 

For Reed, that annual review isn't simply an exercise. A couple of years ago, it led him to change plans, enabling him to find a plan that included additional offerings and coverage for a prescription medication he needed to treat a chronic condition.    

The experience reinforced something he had already begun to understand: The Medicare Advantage plan that's right for you today isn't guaranteed to remain the right one tomorrow. 

Plans can change. Prescriptions can change. Doctors can change. Most importantly, a person's health can change. 

Combining technology with a human second opinion 

While Reed is comfortable comparing Medicare plans online, when he changed plans a few years ago, he wanted another level of reassurance before making the decision. 

He called eHealth and spoke with a licensed insurance agent. 

“It was nice to talk to someone live rather than just looking at a screen,” Reed said. 

The agent listened to what Reed was looking for and helped narrow the available choices. More importantly, she helped validate what Reed had already discovered online. 

“She verified all the things I was looking at were correct,” he said. 

That combination works well for Reed. He can research and compare plans himself, then speak with someone when he wants additional confidence before making a final decision. 

“Now that I've used it, I feel confident,” he said. 

Advice Reed shares with friends 

Reed's experience has made him an informal Medicare resource among friends approaching retirement. 

When they ask how he navigated his choices, his recommendation is straightforward. 

“My friends call me and ask how I did it,” Reed said. “And I tell them, ‘Go to eHealth.’” 

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* This story reflects the customer’s actual experience. Individual experiences may vary. He was compensated for his time.  

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