10/08/2025
For those of you who have been requesting advice and information about Medicare Advantage & Medigap options: I’m excited to share a free downloadable excerpt from my new book, Beyond the Waiting Room!
https://www.sidelinemd.org/store/p/freedownload1
This 6-page sample comes from Chapter 7: Mastering Insurance & Billing (The Basics) and offers a practical overview of Medicare & Medicare Advantage. The download link also includes more details about what’s covered in the full chapter.
As a local physician-turned-patient advocate, my journey began after being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition. I’ve since dedicated my work to helping others better understand—and advocate for—their own healthcare. Beyond the Waiting Room distills what I’ve learned into a clear, accessible guide designed to empower patients and families alike.
Thinking about Medicare Advantage or Medigap?
Working with a licensed insurance agent can be incredibly helpful — they can walk you through plan options, explain costs, and simplify enrollment.
But here’s what to know in 2025:
Agents earn commissions on both Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medigap plans — but the structures differ:
• MA commissions are flat fees set and capped by CMS.
• Medigap commissions are a % of the annual premium and vary by state and insurer.
Historically, MA commissions have been higher, which can unintentionally incentivize some agents to focus more on MA plans. New CMS rules aim to limit this, though parts are still under legal review.
Tip: Agents can be invaluable guides — just remember to ask how they’re compensated and confirm they represent multiple insurers. The best choice is the one that fits your health and budget, not theirs.
Need unbiased help in Champaign County, Illinois?
Free, local guidance is available through Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) — a trusted nonprofit that helps residents navigate Medicare and other coverage options at no cost.
https://www.healthcareconsumers.org/
Categories: Store FREE DOWNLOAD | Book | Professional Appointment Wrangler | Well-researched & Well-medicated | Clinically Sassy | Chief Caregiving Officer | My love language is filling pill organizers | I showed up with my own pen. And my own questions | Beyond the Waiting Room - FREE Medicare Exce...
