Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Turner.
Hi Russell, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I received my insurance license in 2008, and I was helping clients with final expense life insurance. I kept running into clients that needed help with their Medicare. I realized that it is a confusing maze, and I wanted to help them understand what Medicare is, how it works, and be able to show them all of their Medicare options. In 2017 I received my certifications to offer Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Part D drug plans. In 2018 I emersed completely into only offering Medicare options, and to date it is my primary focus. Each year I will go through the process of re-certifications to stay current and include offerings/policies from many different carriers. My company is named for what I do, “Navigating My Medicare”. Anyone can take something simple and make it complicated, my job is to take the very complicated Medicare and make it easy to understand and properly navigate.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Struggles are the same with any business, and that is getting your name and what you offer out to the public so the potential client knows where to go to get the help they need. Basically getting in front of potential clients. All of my consultations are at no charge to any client. I have been in sales for over 30 years so I understand the marketing and advertising piece of the puzzle, that helps. Nothing worth doing is easy, but if you have the desire to help people, you can find a way. I see and hear many sales people trying to find ways why you can’t do something, when successful people find ways how to make things happen.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I help people. It is very rewarding when a potential client comes into my office and they are stressed due mainly to a lack of knowledge, you only go into Medicare once. Up until you are eligible there was never a reason to research the Medicare system. We sit down, look at their situation, formulate a plan and implement it. The goal is to help the client understand what they are doing and mainly why they are doing it. We all want the same thing, the best health insurance we can get for the least amount of out of pocket costs.
Medicare is my specialty, I understand it, and how it works.
I can take Medicare and put it in it’s simplist terms, use information given from the client and perform an analysis that will generate the least amount out of pocket costs with the coverage that is important to the client. Each client is different with a different set of needs and what they feel is most important to them.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Unfortunately, I have never had a mentor in this industry. I have relied on the insurance carriers for training and also used both Medicare.gov and CMS.gov as resources for education and information. I am self taught. Insurance carriers want you to promote and sell their products, they are continually offering training on plans, plan benefits and each and every product. I believe that a Mentor is a great way to start in the industry. However, it is very important to align yourself with someone with integrity. You do not want to go down the wrong path and get in any trouble with compliance.
Pricing:
- Medicare Advantage plans are typlically $0.00 premium plans with copays
- Medicare Part D drug plans are from $5.00 – $159.00 a month
- Medicare Supplements are $70.00 – $180.00 a month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.navigatingmymedicare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavigatingMyMedicare/
