Kevin Husted Tri-Cities Medicare & Health Insurance Broker

A licensed, independent Medicare broker who works locally is often the easiest place to start, because one conversation covers plans from multiple insurance companies. In Richland, Kevin Husted has helped Tri-Cities residents with Medicare and health insurance for nearly 30 years.

Washington also offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the state's SHIBA program. Many people use both: SHIBA for general education, and a broker to compare specific plans and enroll.

No. Brokers like Kevin are paid by the insurance company you choose, and your premium is the same whether you enroll through a broker or on your own. Comparisons, enrollment help and yearly plan reviews cost you nothing.

Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: the 3 months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month and the 3 months after. Signing up during the first 3 months lets your coverage start the month you turn 65, according to Medicare.gov.

If you or your spouse are still working and covered by an employer plan, your timeline may be different. Our Medicare checklist before 65 walks through what to do and when.

When you become eligible for Medicare, most adults on Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) move to Medicare for their main coverage. Depending on your income and savings, you may still qualify for Apple Health programs that help pay Medicare premiums and other costs, as explained by the Washington Health Care Authority.

Read any notice you receive carefully and act before the date it lists. Our Apple Health transition guide explains the most common situations.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work alongside Original Medicare to cover costs such as deductibles and coinsurance, and generally let you see any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare with one plan that usually has a provider network, often a lower premium and sometimes extras like dental or vision.

The right choice depends on your doctors, your budget and how much you travel. Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans in Washington or compare all Washington Medicare plans.

Yes. Kevin manages the Tri-Cities enrollment center for Washington Healthplanfinder, the state's official health insurance marketplace. He can help you apply, check whether you qualify for tax credits or Cascade Care savings and compare plans side by side.

Open enrollment usually runs November 1 through January 15. If you lose other coverage, such as Apple Health, you can generally enroll within 60 days. See our individual and family health insurance options.

The most common mistakes are missing your enrollment window and paying a late penalty, choosing a plan without checking that your doctors and prescriptions are covered, and never looking at your plan again. Plans and drug lists change every year, so review your coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7.

Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, eyeglasses or hearing aids. Many Medicare Advantage plans include some of these benefits, and stand-alone dental and vision plans are also available. Kevin can show you which plans in the Tri-Cities include the extras that matter most to you.