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Prepare for Your Consultation

Find out how to connect with a benefits counselor, how to make the most of your consultation, and what will happen during the call.

 

For Pre-65 Retirees

For Medicare-eligible retirees

Call Mercer Marketplace 365+ Retiree Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST at the toll-free number listed under the Contact Us section to schedule your one-on-one consultation with a benefits counselor. If your spouse is also eligible to enroll, please be sure to schedule a separate consultation from your own. This ensures you each have enough time with the benefits counselor to review plans and complete enrollment.

Review the sections below in advance of your consultation; you do not have to have answers to these questions, but reading through this information will help you be better prepared.

Consider your answers to the following questions prior to your consultation

  • Do you have end stage renal disease (ESRD)?
  • Do you currently reside in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility?
  • Do you anticipate spending considerable time away from your primary residence during which you would seek non-emergency medical care?
  • Are you comfortable with an HMO/PPO network which may include some, but not all, of your providers and may not provide care outside your area without additional higher fees?
  • Do you use healthcare providers that do not accept Medicare? (You can call your providers and ask the billing department.)
  • Are you entitled to TRICARE For Life, other prescription drug/health benefits through the VA, or any other health or prescription drug benefits not listed here?
  • Has Medicare or the Social Security Administration notified you that you are eligible for assistance with paying for Medicare prescription drug plan costs?
  • Are you currently receiving Medicaid benefits?

Be ready on the date and time you selected for your consultation, and

  • Have your Medicare (red, white, and blue) ID card available for your consultation. You will need to provide both your Part A and Part B effective dates. Please do not email or fax this card or Medicare number.
  • Allow enough time for the consultation, approximately 60-90 minutes. 
  • Make certain any family member or caregiver is available for the call if desired.
  • Wait for your benefits counselor to call you.
  • Promptly reschedule the consultation if you find you cannot keep the appointment you originally scheduled by calling the toll-free number listed under the Contact Us section.

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For Pre-65 retirees

Call Mercer Marketplace 365+ Retiree Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST at the toll-free number listed under the Contact Us section to schedule your one-on-one consultation with a benefits counselor. If your spouse is also eligible to enroll, please be sure to schedule a separate consultation from your own. This ensures you each have enough time with the benefits counselor to review plans and complete enrollment.

Review the sections below in advance of your consultation; you do not have to have answers to these questions, but reading through this information will help you be better prepared.

Review some questions you and family members under 65 should consider.

These will help determine the best plan at a cost you can afford:

  • Who do you want to enroll (who are under 65) and what are their dates of birth? 
  • How many times a year do you or your family visit the doctor? 
  • Do your healthcare providers participate with carriers on the individual health insurance market? (You can call your providers and ask the billing department.)
  • How many ongoing monthly prescriptions do you have? 
  • Are any other benefits such as children’s dental or chiropractic care important to you?
  • Are you currently receiving Medicaid benefits?

Gather the following information to share with your Benefits Counselor

  • Your Social Security Number (or other document ID number if you are a legal immigrant).
  • To determine your household income, you need to understand your current income; either a pay stub, your W-2 tax form, or your most recent tax return and other income information. This could include unemployment checks, child support, veterans’ payments, alimony, retirement income or other sources. 
  • People in your household: the number of people who you claim as dependents, whether or not they live with you. 
  • Current medical plan information: the type of current medical coverage you have and other medical plans you may have access to now.

Be ready on the date and time you selected for your consultation, and

  • Allow enough time for the consultation, approximately 60-90 minutes per person. 
  • Make certain any family member, caregiver, or a power of attorney on the call is available for the call if desired.
  • Wait for your benefits counselor to call you.
  • Promptly reschedule the consultation if you find you cannot keep the appointment you originally scheduled by calling the toll-free number listed under the Contact Us section.

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You can shorten the amount of time you spend on the consultation by providing your healthcare provider and prescription drug information prior to your consultation.

Download and complete the Healthcare Provider & Prescription Drug Information form. Fax or mail the completed form to us 10-14 days prior to your scheduled consultation. Please complete one form per person.

Download the form