Medicare Education, Information & Comparing insurance plans
Specializing in Medicare
And Natural Health & Beauty
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Important Information for 2027
2026 & 2027
Due to outpatient surgeries and prescription drug cost being 2 1/2 times the norm Medicare Supplement plans have increased their premiums. Medicare prescription, drug premiums, deductibles, tiers 3, 4, and 5 coinsurance have gone up considerably. And Medicare advantage plan premiums and copayments have gone up and extra benefits have gone down. This is one time that we cannot blame. The increases on the insurance companies. The increases have been caused by the cost that the insurance companies have incurred due to the people they have been ensuring. Especially when it comes to Medicare the plans must use most of the Medicare funds on claims and there is very little left for the extra benefits and administrative costs. And there are quite a few administrative items required of the insurance plans by Medicare at different times through the year.
Started 2026 - 2027 $’s
Medicare made nationwide changes to the Medicare part D drug plans. The coverage gap was eliminated.
Freestanding plans and the drug part of the Medicare advantage plans now include deductible With a maximum of $700. And on most all Tiers 3, 4, & 5 drugs have a coinsurance (%) instead of a copayment ($) amount. You may pay a lower percentage at an in-network (preferred pharmacy). And it may pay to compare costs at area network pharmacies. Filing prescriptions at out-of-network (non-preferred) pharmacies may be much more costly.
If you must do so because the preferred pharmacy does not and is not able to get you the prescription, keep the receipt. Call Member Services and request a form and address to submit the receipt for reimbursement to the in network cost.
There is also now a maximum out of pocket amount of $2400 per person per year. Then you pay $0 for the rest of the year.
—————————————————————————-
VERY IMPORTANT: How and When to sign for Parts A, B & D
Unless you are already signed up for Social Security, Social Security will not be automatically sending you information about your Medicare eligibility.
You are eligible for Medicare at age 65.
Unless you have other credible coverage (you or your spouse are working and covered under a group plan, you are a Veteran or are a retired veteran with Tricare for Life, or retiring from the Railroad then you will be contacting the Railroad Retirement Board, etc.).
Or the 25th month of a Social Security approved disability. You have a 7 month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) (3 months before, the month of your 65th birthday, and 3 months after). Disability 7 months after you receive your notification letter
And although in the past everyone automatically received Medicare Part A when they turned 65, that is no longer a given. You may need to sign up for Part A, even though you earned it by paying via payroll taxes for at least 10 years or 40 quarters.
Although the local Security Offices are trained on Medicare Parts A & B in order to sign you up and let you know if you signed up late for Part B and will be penalized and tell you the amount. Most offices are not trained on Part D Prescription Drug benefits or the rules for penalties.
This is because you actually purchase the Part D Prescription coverage from an insurance company. And although it is not listed as mandatory, if you do not sign up for a plan when you are first eligible, you will pay a penalty of 1% of the average national plan premium for each month you could have had coverage but did not sign up for it. And the penalty is for as long as for have Part D coverage whether a free standing plan or in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Basically for the rest of your life.
The amount of the penalty changes annually to match 1% of the national annual plan premium for that year. If you do not take any prescription drugs. Unless you are a veteran and have coverage from the VA or Tricare for Life, purchase the least expensive Part D plan you can find or if you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan it includes Part D drug coverage and then you will not be subject to a penalty.
If you do not have credible coverage and do not sign up during your IEP, you will be subject to penalties for both Medicare Part B - Outpatient Services and Part D prescription Drug.
You can sign up by going to www.SSA.gov (fastest way) or call your local county Social Security office to sign up over the phone or have them send you a formor make an appointment to meet in person. Or go into your local county office if it is open and they accept you without an appointment. You can also download the form from the Social Security site....please make a copy of anything you mail as you may need to resend it or have a broker like me fax it for you. If already past age 65 and leaving a group plan (yours or your spouses), make sure that they send information showing you had continuous prescription drug coverage or gives the paperwork to you to upload to your Social security account, mail in (keep a copy) or take to your county office. You must be able to prove that you have not been without prescription drug coverage for more than 63 days to avoid a penalty.
Learn More
WARNING:
NEITHER MEDICARE OR SOCIAL SECURITY WILL CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL YOU! Unless they are returning a call or email to you.
THEY DO NOT ADVERTISE ON TV, ON THE RADIO, ON STREAMING PLATFORMS OR ON ADS SEEN WHILE PLAYING GAMES OR SHOPPING ON A COMPUTER, TABLET OR PHONE!
These people are either trying to scam you to get your personal information. Or switch you to one of 1 or 2 companies they have which may not be anywhere near your state and may not include your physicians or prescriptions.
DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR SCAMS!
Site Content
About Me
Customer Testimonials
My Approach
My name is Tammy Shewell.
I have lived in the South Central Pennsylvania area my entire life.
I started Advanced Insurance Benefits so I could help people by educating them about different insurances and finding benefits through comparing a variety of insurers and plans. Plus providing on going service.
I have been a licensed agent since 1994
I service the South Central Pennsylvania Area and beyond.
I can answer general Medicare questions for anyone.
I am available to present to groups, couples, or one on one. I meet with Church groups, Senior Center groups, Small to mid-size Businesses (to do pre-retirement meetings) and many couples, and individuals.
My Approach
Customer Testimonials
My Approach
I am a licensed insurance agent, but I don't "sell" you, I educate and help you find what you are looking for...the best plan for your needs and budget.
Many people are confused about insurance and plan choices.
I educate you about the parts and plan types of insurance so you can choose the best plan for your needs, wants and budget.
You end up with a plan that currently meets your needs and a contact for questions and issues if things change in the future.
IMPORTANT
IT DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING TO WORK WITH ME.
If I enroll you in a plan, the insurance company pays me.
And the plan costs the same whether you work with me or directly with the plan.
THE DIFFERENCE IS I WANT YOU TO FIND THE PLAN YOU WANT. IT IS NOT MY PLAN, IT IS YOURS!
I work for YOU not an insurance company.
I am appointed with many insurance companies, but I will only show you plans that meet your wants and needs.
Customer Testimonials
Customer Testimonials
Customer Testimonials
Most of my customers stay with me and refer me to others because I am there for them from the day we meet and going forward. I'll share some of the things my customers have said to and about me.
I really enjoy educating people new to Medicare so they understand and can make an informed plan decision.
Helping those already on Medicare who are confused to better to understand and not feel lost in the system. And sometimes comparing their current plan to other plans that may better suit their needs.
And to help people with problems getting their Medicare.
Also, helping low income people apply for the Low Income Subsidy for Medicare. Or Medicaid to go with their Medicare with makes them Dual Eligible. And apply for the PACE/PACENET pharmacy program for Medicare eligible Pennsylvanians. These programs can really make a difference to many people.
95% of all my new customers are referred to me by my current customers.
Enrollment Dates
Insurance Changes
Customer Testimonials
Annual Open Enrollment - AEP
October 15th to December 7th
Every Year
Initial Open Enrollment Period - IOEP
When you are turning 65 or
the 24th month since being declared disabled
Special Enrollment Periods
- Left job with group plan
- You & Spouse leaving their group plan
- Moved to a different area where your current plan is not available
- Married - going on spouses group plan
- Divorced - going off ex-spouses group plan
- Spouses dies - lose spouse's group plan
- Entering Skilled Nursing Facility - Rehab
- Exiting Skilled Nursing Facility - Rehab
Insurance Changes
Insurance Changes
Insurance Changes
Some things stay the same and many things change. In the insurance industry there are always changes, some may effect you and others may not.
Either way, I will put any new updates here.
And if the update is specific to your plan - I will contact you directly with that information.
If you have a need to change your plan please contact me and we will look at your options.
Diet - what is right and what is wrong is constantly changing.
I grew up eating potato chips and drinking coke after school, oh and there was a McDonalds
across from school. We all knew this as normal. Now, I don't keep chips of soda in my house and drive by McDonalds. I learned not only to eat health, but to eat clean.
Specialties
Insurance Changes
Insurance Changes
I specialize in Medicare Education and Enrolling Medicare Eligibles in plans that meet their needs and wants.
I also specialize in Healthy Education, Supplements and ways to keep healthy and youthful looking.
This website is dedicated to the work that I do with Medicare eligibles.
I have other handles that I use on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where I free to message me and I will let you know where you can find that information.
About Advanced Insurance Benefits
Fulfilling your needs
Building Relationships
Fulfilling your needs
I have 32+ years experience.
Ask me about:
- Medicare
- Health Insurance
- Healthy Products
I have access to many different insurance products, companies, and plans, so you can get the best plan for your needs.
Assessing Need
Building Relationships
Fulfilling your needs
What do you want your plan to cover?
What do you need your plan to cover?
What type of plan do you think you want?
What can you afford?
Sometimes these questions have different answers, especially when it comes to affordability. This is where I will educate you on different plan types and what they include. Then we will work together to find the best plan for your needs, wants, and budget.
Building Relationships
Building Relationships
Building Relationships
Everyone has different insurance needs.
Call me today for a personalized and confidential individual assessment and find out how I can help protect your health by finding a plan that meets your needs.
There is no cost for me to consult with you and no obligation to enroll in a plan with me or any cost to have me enroll you in the plan of y
Everyone has different insurance needs.
Call me today for a personalized and confidential individual assessment and find out how I can help protect your health by finding a plan that meets your needs.
There is no cost for me to consult with you and no obligation to enroll in a plan with me or any cost to have me enroll you in the plan of your choosing.
If I can help you find a plan, find a better plan for your needs or reduce your costs with another plan, I would be happy to do so.
I have reviewed plans for people and told them that they should stay with their current plan as it is the best for their needs and cost at that time. Most people are shocked that I did not try to "sell" them a different plan and tell their friends about me.
Remember, I don't "sell", I educate and assist you...that is how I build relationships.
Tammy Shewell, Independent Agent
Medicare
Since 2006 I have been assisting Medicare eligibles to understand the parts of Medicare, the types of Medicare plans, and how to choose the best plan for their needs, wants, and budget. Most of my customers refer me to others because they know the customer is my first concern and I am available to help with questions when they need me.
Health Insurance
Since 2003 I have been working with individuals helping them to find affordable health plans. This was after 8 years of working with Businesses, Schools, Unions and Government on creating group plans to take care of their employees or members.
Benefits and Information
Types of Insurance
Customer Testimonials
Types of Insurance
Medicare: Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug plans.
I offer many insurers with multiple plans.
Individual Health Plans: Affordable Care Act Health Insurance and other insurance products, I can refer you to someone to assist you..
Life Insurance& Annuities
I can refer you to agents I know personally
My Approach
Customer Testimonials
Types of Insurance
- First, we discuss your wants, needs, & budget.
- Then I explain or review what type of plans are available and how they work. (For Medicare: I explain the different parts of Medicare, the different types of plans, and check plan provider directories for your doctors and plan formularies for your medications)
- Next we review what is available to you and your budget.
- Then you choose the plan you want and I enroll you.
- I explain what comes next after the application is accepted and the plan is effective.
- Afterwards I am available for any questions, needs or changes you may have.
- Annually, or at whatever interval you want to review your needs or if there is a big change to your current plan, I will contact you to see if a plan change or update is needed.
Customer Testimonials
Customer Testimonials
Enrollment dates, times, periods
"I was so confused by all the mail and advertisements until Tammy explained how the Medicare system works and helped me enroll in the plan I chose that was best for me. Then I was able to throw all that confusing mail in the trash."
"When our applications got lost in the Medicare system, Tammy worked with us until we were enrolled and using our new coverage."
"We didn't know what to do when our insurance was cancelled because of a lost payment in the mail. We called Tammy and she straighten everything out in one day."
"I was going back and forth with Social Security and Medicare and after months I still had no Medicare card. I contacted Tammy and she knew to call our Senator's office to get to the heart of the problem. Thanks to Tammy's help, I am now signed up with a plan I really like and telling others to call Tammy."
"We were so happy our friend recommended Tammy to help us with our insurance needs. We finally understood how things worked and what type of plan we needed. We told her everyone should know about her and we refer her to our friends."
Enrollment dates, times, periods
Enrollment dates, times, periods
Enrollment dates, times, periods
Initial Enrollment Period - Starts 3 months prior, the month of your 65 birthday, the month of your 65th birthday and three months after the month of your 65th birthday.
Medicare Disability - You are automatically eligible 24 months after the date you were certified disabled.
Annual Medicare Open Enroll - Every year from October 15th to December 7th. For a 1/1 effective date. This is the one time each year anyone can change their plan who has Medicare Parts A & B. Or change Part D prescription plans if they are entitled to Part A and/or enrolled in Part B. And change Medicare supplement plans or from a supplement to and advantage plan.
Medicare Special Enrollment Periods - You moved out of the plan area, you or your spouse who covers you lost their job or retired, the death or divorce from a spouse who covered you, you are certified for the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), Medicaid eligibility change, have PACE or PACENET,
etc.
Affordable Care Act Enrollments
November 1 to December 15 for a 1/1 effective date.
Special enrollment periods may be available if you lose other coverage during the year.
Insurance Changes
Enrollment dates, times, periods
Insurance Changes
All Prescription Drug Plans are being much more stringent with which drugs that are included on their formulary and changing what Tier levels for different drugs costs. This should be checked out with all health and Medicare plans annually prior to the plan renewal date.
Step Therapy, Prior Authorization and Limits on the amount of medication prescribed per month are being used as cost saving measures and safety against over medication, especially pain medications such as opiates.
If there is a prescribed drug denied or the cost suddenly changes - call the number for Prescription Drugs on the back of your Medical ID Card to find out why. Then work with your doctor on any needed authorizations or changes.
More about me
Enrollment dates, times, periods
Insurance Changes
I first started out working for an insurance company as an agent in 1994 working with group plans and assisting with plan changes to companies, organizations and all levels of government.
Next I went to work for a brokerage firm getting agents or brokers appointed with different insurance companies and training them how to sell each companies' plans.
Then I moved onto working with a brokerage company to offer all types of individual plans in person, over the phone and by sitting with my laptop computer at companies who offered additional benefits to employees who wanted them.
In 2003 I became an independent agent offering health, life and Medicare plans. Now I educate and help people instead of "selling".
In 2006 I got appointed for insurers to offer Medicare plans. So my first Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare started at this time.
With the inception of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) most people needing and individual plan look here.
I can help you by referring you to the agency I write through who can help you with ACA plans.
There are various subsidies available based on your income that can provide needed savings.
Some areas I currently have Customers in: Camp Hill, Harrisburg, New Cumberland,
Lemoyne, Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Hummelstown, Carlisle, Lewisberry, Linglestown, York, Enola, Dallastown, Lancaster, Hanover, Lebanon, Northumberland, etc.
Medicare Insurance in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, York, Adams, Lebanon, Lancaster, Northumberland, counties, etc.
Some by phone & computer.