Planning Beyond Today: How eHealth Helped a New Jersey Man Find a Medicare Plan for the Unexpected

After Bill C. became eligible for Medicare at age 65, he could have kept his coverage relatively simple. 

He was generally healthy, took just one prescription medication and already had doctors he trusted from his previous health coverage. 

But Bill wasn't thinking only about the healthcare he needs today. 

“I wanted to cover more aspects of where my health is now and where my health could end up 10 or 20 years down the road,” said Bill, who is a self-employed merchandise coordinator. “I knew just having Original Medicare wasn’t going to be enough.” 

Starting with a specific set of priorities 

Bill knew he needed to consider prescription drug coverage. But rather than evaluating a stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan in isolation, he decided to explore whether a Medicare Advantage plan might provide a broader package of coverage that better matched his priorities. 

He approached the search with specific parameters in mind. 

Bill wanted to maintain access to healthcare providers he trusted. He wanted protection against some of the out-of-pocket expenses he could face with Original Medicare alone.  

And he wanted prescription coverage — not only for the medication he takes today, but for medications he might need in the future. 

Using eHealth's online marketplace, Bill was able to filter the available plans based on what mattered to him and compare his options side by side. 

“It was easy to filter, and when the plans came up, do quick comparisons between each of them,” he said. “The online interface is very easy to navigate, and the information provided is concise but informative.” 

For Bill, that made a complicated insurance decision more manageable. 

A plan for his current needs and the future  

Bill's plan provided important coverage for his current medication. More importantly, he recognizes that his prescription needs may not always remain as simple as they are today. 

“Maybe I will need a prescription down the road, so it is important that I have coverage in place to avoid any potential penalties,” he said. 

A safety net for an uncertain future 

That long-term protection is what Bill values most about his coverage. 

Today, he may not need frequent medical care or multiple medications. But at 65, he knows his healthcare needs could change considerably over the coming decades. 

He didn't want a future diagnosis to immediately become a financial concern. 

“It is a safety net,” Bill said. “I don't have to wake up some morning with a health problem and worry that I may have a big expense or if I need a prescription.” 

For Bill, having coverage he understands and feels comfortable with removes one more uncertainty from life. 

“It is a lot of peace of mind and one less stress-inducing aspect of life when you have good coverage behind you,” he said. 

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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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