Hugh Barfield began doing Medicare Advising in 2011 and built a large group of dedicated clients. Diana joined in 2020, starting the Barfield Alliance as a husband -and -wife team. Our mission became simply to help clients with Medicare. With our backgrounds in training and business development, as well as our experience going through the Medicare plan selection process ourselves, I realized I could help others. Hugh is no longer doing Medicare advising due to health issues.

I am determined to develop a simple guided process with the knowledge required for clients to make the decisions that are right for their needs, both medically and financially. I walk our clients through the entire process, providing appropriate information to enable you to make a solid decision on a plan that includes your physicians and an appropriate drug plan. I will help you decide whether a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you among other choices because as independent brokers we are able to provide access for you to all the types of Medicare as well as a range of quality carriers and their plans specific to your needs. Our work is not done after you have found the right plan. I will continue to offer you support after your enrollment. As your Medicare Benefit Advisor, I am focused on developing and retaining a long-term relationship with you.

Several hundred clients have come to us for the savings and ended up staying for the on-going service. Join our long list of satisfied clients today! I am sure you will be pleased to find an exceptional and all-inclusive service that is just what you have been searching for and need!

A good time to reach out to me is 4 months before turning 65 so that I can direct you to

items that need to be done in preparation, including contacting Social Security, if

necessary. The entire process has timelines to keep in mind. Missing one can mean loss of an opportunity or adding significantly to the cost of your coverage.

As an independent agent, I represent numerous insurance companies that provide me access to a very broad range of plans that I use to meet specific client’s needs. Unlike agents who are employed by one company and only that company’s plans, I help clients find the best plan choices to fit their needs.

I help you learn about the ins and outs of Medicare, meet deadlines, and keep you from making costly mistakes.

As an independent agent, my services are complimentary, I am compensated by the insurance company you choose for your plan. So, it makes sense to use an independent

Medicare Advisor to assist you on the journey

Medicare Advantage plans, offered by insurance companies, are all inclusive plans required to provide the same Part A and Part B benefits as Medicare with additional benefits at more competitive pricing. These plans also provide a cap on your financial obligation for your out-of-pocket medical costs within a calendar year.

Some commonly offered additional benefits in Medicare Advantage plans include vision care with money toward glasses and contacts, dental services, hearing exams and hearing aids, over-the-counter benefits, and include prescription drug coverage within their plan. 

Working with The Barfield Alliance will help you to determine whether Medicare Advantage is the best choice for you.

You are probably wondering how a Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plan fits into the Medicare landscape. Like Medicare Advantage plans, Supplements are provided by independent insurance businesses, not through the government.

Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare, closing the 20% gap that Original Medicare does not pay on your claims. While Medicare Advantage plans stand alone, separate from Original Medicare. 

Supplements are worth consideration if you have significant health issues already at age 65, if you want to choose your doctors and hospital without worrying about networks and do not want to spend time each fall re- evaluating your medical coverage, or want to avoid being nickeled and dimed throughout the year for co-pays, deductibles and such.

With all the changes in Original Medicare the last few years, a Supplement is a safe haven. But Supplements become a more expensive choice over time since the premium goes up every year. And there is a 6-month timeframe to sign up without needing to go through medical underwriting.

There are numerous plans available to choose and all of them follow the Medicare established parameters. For instance, a Plan G covers nearly all the claims while Plan A only covers a small type of claims. But Medicare Supplement plans are the same across all insurance companies that provide Medicare Supplements. For instance, Plan G is the same with UnitedHealthCare or Mutual of Omaha. Only the price is different. This makes it much easier to select a

company’s plan.

As you can see, Medicare Supplements can be a confusing topic without guidance. That’s why I am here to assist you in making decisions appropriate for you.