Your Insurance Partner For Life
Personalized Plan Reviews
- Compare your current plan against new options to ensure you’re not overpaying.
- Identify changes in coverage, benefits, or costs that could impact you.
Help with Billing, Benefits & Questions Year-Round
You shouldn’t have to handle billing issues, benefit questions, or claim confusion on your own. When you work with us, you get support long after your policy starts.
How We Help:
Contact carriers directly on your behalf to resolve billing or benefit issues.
Explain your benefits clearly so you always understand what’s covered.
No Cost for My Services — I Work for YOU, Not the Carrier
You’ll never pay a fee to work with me. I’m paid by the insurance companies — but I don’t work for them. My commitment is to you, your needs, and your peace of mind.
How We Help:
Provide unbiased plan comparisons focused on your best interest.
Give you expert guidance without extra cost or hidden fees.
Transitioning from Marketplace to Medicare
If you’re moving from a Marketplace (ACA) health plan to Medicare, it’s important to time your transition correctly to avoid gaps in coverage or penalties. The good news — it doesn’t have to be complicated with the right guidance.
How It Works:
Marketplace coverage doesn’t automatically end when you become eligible for Medicare — you’ll need to cancel it once your Medicare starts.
Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ends 3 months after.
Premium tax credits (subsidies) end once Medicare begins, so reviewing your timing is key.
What to Consider:
When your current Marketplace plan coverage should end.
Whether you’ve enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
If your current doctors and prescriptions can transition smoothly to your new Medicare plan.
How We Can Help:
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we’ll walk you through your transition step-by-step — ensuring you know exactly when to cancel your Marketplace plan, how to activate your Medicare benefits, and which plan best fits your needs moving forward.
Moving from Employer Coverage to Medicare
If you’re retiring or losing employer coverage, transitioning to Medicare requires careful timing to maintain continuous coverage and avoid late enrollment penalties.
How It Works:
You can enroll in Medicare without penalty once your employer coverage ends, as long as you apply during your Special Enrollment Period.
The rules differ depending on whether your employer has more or fewer than 20 employees.
You’ll need forms from your employer to verify coverage when applying for Medicare Part B.
What to Consider:
The exact end date of your employer or COBRA coverage.
Whether you’ve already enrolled in Part A and/or Part B.
Coordination between your group insurance and Medicare benefits.
How We Can Help:
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we’ll review your employer benefits, explain how Medicare becomes your primary coverage, and help you make a seamless transition without gaps or penalties.
Health Coverage On and Off the Marketplace
Whether you purchase coverage through the Marketplace or directly from a carrier, choosing the right health plan each year can be confusing. We help you understand your options, compare benefits, and find a plan that fits both your health needs and your budget.
How It Works:
Marketplace plans may offer subsidies or cost-sharing reductions based on income.
Off-Marketplace plans may have similar coverage but are purchased directly from insurance companies.
Annual Open Enrollment is your main opportunity to change or renew coverage.
What to Consider:
Whether you qualify for a subsidy or lower premium on the Marketplace.
If your preferred doctors and prescriptions are covered by your current or potential plan.
Comparing total out-of-pocket costs, not just the monthly premium.
How We Can Help:
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we simplify the process — showing you side-by-side comparisons of available plans, checking provider networks, and ensuring you understand your benefits before you enroll.
Understanding Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines hospital, medical, and often prescription coverage into one convenient plan offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. These plans can include added benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and more — all in one card.
How It Works:
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare but still follows Medicare’s rules.
You’ll continue paying your Part B premium, and sometimes an additional plan premium.
Most plans use networks (HMO or PPO), so it’s important to check that your doctors and hospitals are included.
What to Consider:
Are your preferred doctors and hospitals in-network?
Does the plan include your prescriptions affordably?
Do you want extra benefits like dental, vision, or over-the-counter allowances?
What are your copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums?
How We Can Help:
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we help you compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side — reviewing your prescriptions, checking your providers, and helping you find a plan that fits your life and budget.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work alongside Original Medicare to help pay for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. These plans give you more freedom to see any provider that accepts Medicare — without worrying about networks.
How It Works:
Medigap plans are standardized (Plan G, N, etc.), meaning benefits are the same regardless of carrier.
You must have Medicare Parts A and B to enroll.
Medigap does not include prescription coverage — you’ll need a separate Part D plan.
What to Consider:
How often you visit doctors or specialists.
Whether you prefer predictable costs with fewer surprises.
If you want nationwide coverage with no network restrictions.
How We Can Help:
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we compare Medigap plans from multiple carriers to find you the best value for your needs — ensuring long-term coverage stability and peace of mind.
Helpful Links
Medicare.gov — Official Medicare information
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare — Apply for Medicare online
NC SHIIP Program — State counseling program
Healthcare.gov — Marketplace plans for those under 66
At Pugh Insurance Partners, we act as your guide — helping you understand your options, compare plans, confidently choose coverage that supports your health and budget, and to avoid penalties.
