How Via Benefits Works
This article provides an overview of Via Benefits and the Via Benefits Medicare enrollment process.
As trusted advisors to over two million Medicare-eligible participants, Via Benefits Insurance Services offers assistance as you enroll in new individual Medicare coverage. Once you understand your Medicare coverage options, you're ready to start reviewing the plans available in your area.
Who We Are
Via Benefits is a personalized service to help you find, evaluate, and enroll in coverage that fits your needs and budget. We work for you and your eligible spouse or dependent. Via Benefits isn’t an insurance carrier. We’re the largest and oldest private Medicare marketplace, operating since 2004. We work with leading national and regional insurance carriers to ensure you can choose from quality plans available in your area. Because we offer a range of options, you may find coverage better than your current plan at a lower cost.
The Via Benefits Process
With personalized support, outstanding online tools, and quality plan options, Via Benefits provides assistance to prepare, review and enroll in an individual Medicare plan that meets your health needs, covers your prescription drugs, and works within your budget. Our service is provided at no cost to you.
Prepare
We need your Medicare Part A and Part B effective dates to enroll you in a Medicare plan. Go to ssa.gov to sign up for Medicare online if you haven’t done so already. You can also contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
Sign Up with Via Benefits and Create Your Via Benefits Profile. To create your profile, gather and enter the following information to help you find and choose the right plan:
Your Medicare number
Prescription information – names, dosages, the frequency you take medication, and the pharmacies you use
Provider information – for plans that have a provider network, names and addresses for all the doctors, hospitals, and outpatient facilities you wish to continue using
When you create a Via Benefits profile, you can review your plan options and even enroll on the website. When you select Shop and Compare from the Menu, it allows you to view and compare Medicare-related insurance plans available in your area and sort them by price, plan type, insurance carrier, and other factors. Using the information in your profile, you can access personalized cost estimates. This includes entering your providers and your prescriptions.
Shop for Plans
Now that you've created your Via Benefits profile, it’s time to shop for plans. You can contact us at 1-866-2824 (TTY: 711) to speak with a Via Benefits licensed benefit advisor who will ask you some questions to learn your needs, help you evaluate plans based on your needs, and answer any of your questions. We take the time you need to make a confident choice.
If you’re already familiar with Medicare and know what you need, sign into Via Benefits and select Shop for Plans to shop and enroll in plans. Reviewing your plan options helps you make an informed and confident choice during enrollment.
Plans renew automatically. If you want to keep the same plan, no action is needed. Read Renewing Your Plans During the Open Enrollment Period for more information.
Watch a Pre-Recorded Educational Medicare Webinar or Join a Live Webinar to learn more about how Medicare works and what choices you need to make as you turn 65 or retire.
Enroll
Once you’ve reviewed your options, either by speaking with a benefit advisor or using the website, you're all set to enroll. If you’re looking for coverage during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, be aware coverage options for the following year are usually available in mid-October. For example, plans and rates for 2024 are available in mid-October 2023.
Enroll Using the Via Benefits Website
If you find a plan you know you want, consider enrolling on the website. It’s easy, and most plans allow you to enroll on the website without needing to speak to anyone at Via Benefits.
Not yet Medicare-eligible but interested in reviewing your plan options now? Without signing in or creating a profile, select See Plans on the landing page. On the Prepare to Shop page, enter your ZIP Code and select Show me plans now.
Enroll Over the Phone
Unsure if enrolling on the website is your best option? Consider scheduling a call to enroll up to three months before you retire or turn 65. You can schedule a call on the website or by calling us. If you'd rather not make an appointment, you can call us at your convenience. During your call, a Via Benefits licensed benefit advisor* walks you through your coverage options, helps you determine which plans meet your medical and financial needs, and completes your enrollment application. The call takes about 90 minutes per person to complete. If you're also enrolling a Medicare-eligible spouse or dependent, you're both welcome to enroll at the same time, or make separate enrollment appointments.
When you purchase a health plan through Via Benefits, we become your advocate for the lifetime of your enrollment. If your needs change, or you move, you can contact us to determine if your plan is still right for you. We’re available and happy to assist you with changes
How Via Benefits is Compensated
Individual benefit advisors are compensated the same whether you pick a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plus a Prescription Drug Plan and regardless of which carrier you choose. For other kinds of products, the compensation they receive may vary based on the kind of product you purchase, but doesn't change based on carrier.
*Our licensed benefit advisors specialize in health insurance for retirees. They go through annual training and certification to ensure they can help you make an informed and confident decision.