Your Independent Medicare Advisor
Eddie Langford
Founder of The Langford Insurance Group · Licensed Since 1994 · Independent Medicare Advisor
Trusted Independent Medicare Advisors Serving Iowa and illinois
The Langford Insurance Group
Independent Medicare Advisor Serving Iowa and illinois
Compare Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans from multiple carriers at no cost to you.
Licensed since 1994. Independent guidance. No pressure. No obligation. Just straightforward Medicare advice.
- Get Instant Medicare Rates — No Agent Call Required
Medicare Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Understanding Medicare can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Get clear, straightforward guidance and find coverage that fits your needs.
Tired of the Medicare Confusion?
- One-size-fits-all recommendations
- Endless calls from different agents
- Limited choices from single-carrier agents
- Pressure to make a decision before you're ready
- Complicated Medicare terminology and plan details
- No dedicated advisor to turn to after enrollment
One Independent Broker. Multiple Carriers. Zero Pressure.
As an independent Medicare broker, I work with multiple insurance carriers, not just one. I’ll help you compare the Medicare plans available from the carriers I represent in your area, explain the differences, and help you find coverage that fits your healthcare needs and budget.
No pressure. No obligation. No cost for your consultation. Just clear, straightforward Medicare guidance.
Your Medicare Journey, Made Simple.
Understand your options, compare available plans, and choose the coverage that fits your needs.
Free Medicare Consultation
Call or schedule online. We’ll review your doctors, prescriptions, coverage needs, and budget so you can understand your options with confidence. No pressure. No obligation.
Compare Your Medicare Options
We compare Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans from multiple carriers available in your area so you can see your options side by side and make an informed decision.
Enroll With Confidence & Stay Covered
Once you’ve chosen your plan, we’ll help you through the enrollment process and remain available year-round for questions, changes, and annual coverage reviews.
- No obligation · No cost · No call centers
Why Choose an Independent Medicare Broker?
Not all Medicare advisors work the same way. Here’s how independent guidance can make your Medicare decisions simpler and more informed.
Independent Guidance — Multiple Carriers
As an independent Medicare broker, I work with multiple insurance carriers, giving you the opportunity to compare available options based on your healthcare needs, doctors, prescriptions, and budget not just one company’s plans.
Licensed Since 1995 — Over 30 Years of Experience
With over three decades of Medicare experience, I’ve helped thousands of Floridians understand their Medicare options, navigate enrollment, review their coverage, and make informed decisions as their needs change.
A Real Person You Can Talk To
You won’t be routed through a call center when you need help. I’m here to answer your questions, return your calls, and provide personal support throughout the year.
No Cost to You
There’s no fee for my Medicare guidance or consultation. When you enroll in a plan I represent, I may be compensated by the insurance carrier. You don’t pay an additional fee for my services.
Year-Round Medicare Support
My support doesn’t end when you enroll. I’m available throughout the year to answer questions, help you navigate coverage changes, and review your plan during the Annual Enrollment Period.
Your Iowa Medicare Expert
I understand the Medicare plans, carrier options, and provider networks available across Polk, Linn, Scott, Johnson, Black Hawk, Dallas, and Woodbury counties, helping you navigate your local coverage options with confidence.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medigap Plans: Plan G, Plan N & High-Deductible G
Medicare Supplement plans help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully pay, including certain copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Compare available Medigap options and find coverage that fits your healthcare needs and budget.
Plan G
Popular Choice
Plan G helps cover many of the out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare, including Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and certain foreign travel emergency expenses. You generally pay the Medicare Part B deductible before your Plan G benefits apply.
Best for: People who value predictable healthcare costs and the flexibility to see any doctor or provider who accepts Medicare assignment.
Plan N
Lower Premium Option
Plan N offers comprehensive Medigap coverage with a lower monthly premium than Plan G, but you may have copayments for certain office and emergency room visits. Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges.
Best for: People who want to reduce their monthly premium and are comfortable with occasional out-of-pocket costs.
High-Deductible Plan G
Lower Premium Option
High-Deductible Plan G provides the same basic Medigap benefits as standard Plan G after you meet the plan’s annual deductible. Because you pay more out of pocket before benefits begin, the monthly premium is typically lower.
Best for: People who want strong protection against major healthcare costs while keeping their monthly premium as low as possible.
Who Should Compare Medigap Plans?
- Are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare for the first time
- Are losing employer or union health coverage
- Have Medicare Advantage and are considering switching to Original Medicare
- Want more predictable out-of-pocket costs
- Travel frequently or spend time in multiple states
- Want the flexibility to see any Medicare-accepting doctor without a Medicare Advantage network
Medicare Part C
Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa and illinois
How Medicare Advantage Works
- Replaces Original Medicare for your Part A and Part B coverage
- Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare
- Must cover all Medicare Part A and Part B benefits
- Often includes Part D prescription drug coverage (MAPD plans)
- May include additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness
- Typically uses a network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals
Who May Benefit From Medicare Advantage?
- People looking for $0 or low monthly plan premiums
- Those who prefer an all-in-one plan combining medical, prescription drug, and additional benefits
- People who are comfortable using a plan’s provider network
- Those who can take advantage of extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, or OTC allowances
- People who value coordinated care through a network of doctors and specialists
- Those who want an annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered Medicare Part A and Part B services
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap — Which Is Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Medicare Advantage plans may offer lower monthly premiums and additional benefits, but they typically use provider networks and may have copayments or other out-of-pocket costs when you receive care.
Medigap plans generally have higher monthly premiums but can provide more predictable out-of-pocket costs and the flexibility to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare.
As an independent Medicare broker, I’ll help you compare both options based on your doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, and budget so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Initial Enrollment
Turning 65? Here’s What You Need to Know
Your 7-Month Enrollment Window
3 Months Before Your Birthday Month
Your enrollment window opens. This is often the earliest opportunity to enroll in Medicare.
Your Birthday Month
You can enroll during your birthday month. Your Part B start date may depend on when you enroll.
3 Months After Your Birthday Month
Your IEP continues through the third month after your birthday month. Waiting until later in the window can affect when coverage begins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to enroll and potentially delaying coverage
- Assuming Medicare enrollment is automatic when it may not be
- Overlooking employer coverage rules when working past 65
- Missing important enrollment deadlines
- Choosing a plan before comparing your available options
- No obligation · No cost · No call centers
Medicare Premium Surcharge
IRMAA: Understanding Medicare’s Income-Related Surcharge
What Is IRMAA?
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an additional charge that may be added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above certain thresholds. Your IRMAA amount is generally based on your tax-return income from two years earlier. Understanding IRMAA can help you anticipate your Medicare costs and plan accordingly.
2024 IRMAA Thresholds
For 2024, IRMAA may apply if your 2022 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) was above $103,000 for individuals or $206,000 for married couples filing jointly. Depending on your income, the Part B IRMAA surcharge ranged from $69.90 to $419.30 per month, in addition to the standard Part B premium.
IRMAA & Part D
IRMAA can also add an income-related surcharge to your Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. The additional amount depends on your income and tax filing status and is paid in addition to your Part D plan premium. For 2024, the Part D IRMAA surcharge ranged from $12.90 to $81.00 per month, depending on your income bracket.
How to Appeal an IRMAA Decision
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment If your income has decreased because of a qualifying life-changing event, such as retirement, divorce, or the death of a spouse, you may be able to request a reduction in your IRMAA. You can submit Form SSA-44 (Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event) to Social Security and provide documentation supporting your change in circumstances.
IRMAA & Medigap Planning
If you’re subject to IRMAA, understanding your total Medicare costs becomes especially important. Medigap plans can provide more predictable out-of-pocket costs for covered services, but they do not reduce or eliminate IRMAA. Comparing your Part B premium, IRMAA, Medigap premium, and expected healthcare costs can help you make a more informed coverage decision.
IRMAA Guidance & Resources
Eddie can help you understand how IRMAA may affect your Medicare costs, explain your coverage options, and help you identify questions to discuss with your tax professional. If strategies such as Roth conversions or other income-planning techniques may affect your future Medicare premiums, a qualified tax advisor can help you evaluate whether they make sense for your situation.
- No obligation · No cost · No call centers
Licensed since 1994
Helping Iowan navigate Medicare since 1998.
Truly Independent
Compare options from multiple insurance carriers not just one.
highly rated
Trusted by clients for personalized Medicare guidance.
Always Accessible
Real answers and personal support from a real Medicare professional.
Have questions about your options? I’m happy to walk you through them.
- No obligation · No cost · No call centers
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Medicare Questions, Answered
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs. You can generally see any doctor or specialist nationwide who accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) provides your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan. Many plans include additional benefits and may have lower monthly premiums, but typically use provider networks and cost-sharing.
The right choice depends on your doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, budget, and travel frequency.
There is no fee to you for my Medicare guidance. If you enroll in a plan I represent, I may be compensated by the insurance carrier.
You don’t pay an additional fee for my services. No consultation fee. No obligation. No pressure.
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) generally lasts 7 months—3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months afterward.
Waiting too long to enroll can result in coverage delays or late-enrollment penalties in some circumstances. If you have qualifying coverage through current employment, you may have additional enrollment options, including a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
With Medicare Supplement, you can generally see any doctor or specialist in the U.S. who accepts Medicare.
With Medicare Advantage, you typically need to use the plan’s network, although some plans may provide out-of-network coverage.
Before you enroll, I’ll help you check whether your preferred doctors and healthcare providers participate in the plan you’re considering.
Ready to Compare Your Medicare Options?
No pressure. No obligation. No cost for your consultation. Get straightforward guidance from an independent Medicare broker who can help you compare available options from multiple carriers.
Understand your choices. Compare your options. Choose with confidence.
- Licensed in FL, IA, IL, NV, KS, TN, MS, IN, NC, WI, VA · Independent · No cost to you