The One Thing That Still Protects Seniors in Medicare: An Honest Agent
- Mary Manos Mitchem
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read

There’s a lot of noise in Medicare these days. Shrinking networks. disappearing plans. splashy $0 ads that leave out half the story.
But here’s the truth.
A strong Medicare agent can cut through all of it by acting like a fiduciary guide. even when the rules don’t require it.
Mary Manos Mitchem from M3 Insurance sums it up:
“You can’t serve seniors well if you hide half the menu.”
And Alexis Mitchem, her partner, backs her up:
“My job is to protect their health and their wallet. That starts with honesty.”
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
M3 Puts the Client’s Needs First
Act like a fiduciary.
Show people the plan that fits their health. doctors. drugs. and budget. not the plan that fits a carrier’s bonus structure.
Tell clients plainly: “I work for you.”
M3 Shows More of the Market Than Any Single Carrier Will
Use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder in front of clients.
Show them plans you cannot sell.
If a better plan sits outside your book. say so. and show them how to enroll.
Most agents won’t do that.
That’s exactly why you should. We Follow a Needs-First Discovery Process. Document the basics.
Conditions
Doctors
Prescriptions
Pharmacies
Travel habits
Budget
Risk tolerance
Then compare plans on networks. drug tiers. annual cost. and the hidden “gotchas” seniors never see in the ads.
M3 Explains the Tradeoffs Clearly
We don’t sugar-coat the downsides:
Narrow networks
Prior authorization
Step therapy
Shrinking benefits
Higher MOOP than expected
When carriers pull or shrink plans. we call your clients and walk them through what changed and what’s realistic this year.
We Use Transparency and Compliance as Trust Builders
Follow the CMS rules cleanly.
No pressure tactics. no fuzzy language. no bait-and-switch ads. Teach clients how to spot red flags: fake Medicare calls. generic TV ads promising “free money.” forced steering into one carrier.
This isn’t just good business. It’s protection. We connect clients to non-sales resources, and point people toward:
SHIP
1-800-MEDICARE
Extra Help
Medicaid/MSPs
D-SNPs when appropriate
Help them understand their full range of options. not just the ones that earn commissions.
Where It Leaves You
M3 is a full-disclosure Medicare guide who:
Shows every realistic option.
Documents everything.
Explains tradeoffs plainly.
Calls clients each year to audit changes.
Mary and Alexis already live this.
It’s why their clients stay.
It’s why M3 continues to grow.