North Star Insurance - Medicare and Health Insurance

North Star Insurance - Medicare and Health Insurance Your north star for human-centered care. You’ll find us at 873 S. Here at North Star, we don’t believe in rushing decisions or pushing plans.

We’re more than just an insurance agency; we’re a community of people who care deeply about helping others find peace of mind with their health coverage. At North Star, we believe that choosing the right Medicare or health plan shouldn’t be overwhelming, and we’re here to make sure you feel confident every step of the way. Founded by Mariangel Martinez, an immigrant with a passion for serving othe

rs, North Star was built on honesty, compassion, and a deep understanding of what families really need when it comes to healthcare. We work hard to make sure you’re getting the benefits you deserve, whether it’s through Medicare, Obamacare, or funeral pre-planning. Mason Rd., Suite 320, Katy, TX 77450, where walk-ins are always welcome, or give us a call at (832) 220-1333 for English or (346) 275-3453 for Spanish. Our team will greet you with a warm smile, listen to your concerns, and make sure you leave feeling like family. We believe in education and trust. We want you to feel informed, valued, and protected because that’s what we’d want for our own families. If you’re ready to review your plan, explore new options, or simply ask questions, we’re here for you.

06/23/2026

Two people. Same age. Same year.

One decision separates them — and 20 years later, one of them is still writing a bigger check every single month. 💸
Here’s what most people don’t realize: Medicare late enrollment penalties don’t just hit you once. They’re permanent additions to your premium — and in 2026, that standard Part B premium is already $202.90/month. Add a 20% penalty on top of that and it’s money you’re leaving on the table every single month, for life.

And Part D? That penalty calculates at 1% of the national base premium for every month you went without creditable drug coverage. It compounds. It doesn’t reset when you switch plans. It follows you.

Nobody told most people turning 65 that they had a 7-month window — and that missing it has real dollar consequences that never expire.

That’s exactly why I do this work. My job is to make sure you know the rules before the clock runs out — not after.

📲 Comment PENALTY below if you or someone you love is turning 65, already past 65, or just not sure where you stand. I’ll tell you exactly what your situation looks like and what your options are.
If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. 🏆

06/15/2026

Your Medicare plan helped pay for groceries and utilities. For thousands of seniors — that was real. In 2026, the rules changed.

CMS ended the VBID program (Value-Based Insurance Design) on December 31, 2025. Under VBID, your Medicare Advantage plan could give you monthly credits for food, utilities, and transportation — up to $1,400 a year — without any extra requirements.
That program is gone.

Starting in 2026, those same types of benefits now fall under a different program called SSBCI — Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill. And the key word is chronically ill. To qualify, you now need to have a documented chronic condition like diabetes or COPD on file with your plan.

Here’s what that means for you:

→ If you had those credits last year, they may no longer apply automatically

→ You have to qualify through SSBCI to keep them

→ Your plan sent you an Annual Notice of Change before October — that letter tells you exactly what changed
Don’t find out at halftime that the play changed.

Comment BENEFITS below and I’ll personally walk you through whether you still qualify. 👇
I’m Coach P — I do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Heard you can drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Medigap with no health questions asked?It’s true — but only in two ...
06/15/2026

Heard you can drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Medigap with no health questions asked?

It’s true — but only in two specific situations. This is the rule that catches more people than any other in Medicare, so let’s get it right.

You qualify for a Medigap Trial Right if:
1️⃣ You enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan when you FIRST became eligible at age 65, AND it’s been less than 12 months. You can return to Original Medicare and buy any Medigap plan available in your state — no medical underwriting.

2️⃣ You had a Medigap plan, dropped it to try Medicare Advantage for the FIRST time, AND it’s been less than 12 months. You can return to your previous Medigap plan (if still sold) or pick another one with guaranteed issue rights.

If you’ve been on Medicare Advantage for years, or you’ve switched between MA plans before, this rule does NOT apply to you. You can still change plans during AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7) or MA-OEP (Jan 1 – Mar 31) — but Medigap insurers will review your health, and they CAN charge more or deny you.

And one more detail almost nobody mentions: you have to apply for the new Medigap policy no earlier than 60 days before your MA coverage ends, and no later than 63 days after. Miss that window and you lose the protection.

Before you make any moves — let us check your situation. Comment “TRIAL” 👇 or send us a DM and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.

06/12/2026

En North Star, el techo no existe.

En North Star, preparamos a cada agente para dar lo máximo de sí.
No te dejamos solo frente a una pantalla tratando de descifrar Medicare.
No te damos un manual y te desean suerte.

Te acompañamos, te formamos y caminamos contigo hasta que encuentras tu propio paso.
Hay agentes increíbles ahí afuera que llevan meses — o años — dando todo de sí mismos sin recibir nada de vuelta. Sin mentoría. Sin estructura. Sin alguien que les diga “vas bien, sigue.”

Si eso te describe, quiero que sepas que North Star tiene la mano extendida.
Para el agente que ya tiene experiencia y quiere más.
Para el que recién empieza y necesita guía.

Y también para el que todavía no tiene su licencia pero sabe que este camino es para él.
La pregunta no es si estás listo.
La pregunta es si estás dispuesto.

🔑 Escribe APOYO en los comentarios o en DM y un miembro de nuestro equipo te contacta hoy. Si aún no tienes tu licencia, también podemos orientarte desde cero.

Aquí hay un lugar para ti. 🌟

06/09/2026

Let’s have this conversation again — because it keeps coming up.

There’s a difference between what Medicare costs to have and what it costs to use. And if someone told you it was “free”… we need to talk.

Here’s what you need to know:
→ You still pay your Part B premium every month — $202.90 in 2026
→ You pay copays every time you see a doctor.
→ You pay co-insurance for procedures.
→ Go out of network? Even higher costs.

A $0 premium plan is NOT a $0 cost plan. Those are two very different things.

The plan — not Medicare — decides what you pay for every service: copays, deductibles, your maximum out-of-pocket. Every single one.

Know what you’re signing up for before you need it.

Because if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. 💪
📲 Have questions? Drop them below or send me a DM.

If you’re under 65, have a disability, and have been afraid to go back to work because you’ll lose your Medicare — read ...
06/06/2026

If you’re under 65, have a disability, and have been afraid to go back to work because you’ll lose your Medicare — read this.
Your coverage doesn’t disappear. It just changes.

Here’s what actually happens:
✅ Your premium-free Part A continues for at least 8.5 years after you return to work
✅ That includes your 9-month Trial Work Period plus 93 months of Extended Medicare Coverage
✅ After that, you can still BUY Part A if you meet the requirements
✅ Your disabling condition still has to meet SSA’s rules during that time

Source: Social Security Administration (http://ssa.gov )
Too many people give up on returning to work — to a job they want, a career they’re ready for — because they’re afraid of losing health coverage. The fear is real. The information they’re acting on usually isn’t.

Know your rights. Make the decision with the full picture.
Want us to walk through your specific situation? Comment “WORK” 👇, send us a DM, or call us directly at (832) 220-1333.

Today we celebrate Elaine He and everything she brings to this team. 🎂Every client you’ve helped navigate Medicare, ever...
06/05/2026

Today we celebrate Elaine He and everything she brings to this team. 🎂

Every client you’ve helped navigate Medicare, every question you’ve answered with patience, every beneficiary who finally understood their coverage because of you — that’s your real birthday gift to this community.

Grateful to have you on the North Star team. Keep being the Medicare nerd we all admire. 💙

06/02/2026

A lot of people carry a quiet stress when they hear the word Medicare. 😮‍💨

But here’s the truth: Medicare is not impossible to understand.
The real problem? Nobody ever taught you how it works.
And that’s exactly why I’m here. 🏆

I’m Coach P — and I do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
This Medicare Monday, I want to remind you that you don’t have to figure this out alone. You have guidance. You have someone in your corner.

👇 Got questions about Medicare? Drop them in the comments or send me a DM. I got you.

71 days, hundreds of conversations, a few thousand cups of coffee, late nights checking formularies, re-running comparis...
05/29/2026

71 days, hundreds of conversations, a few thousand cups of coffee, late nights checking formularies, re-running comparisons, sitting with clients who needed someone to slow down and explain it one more time.

Then this, a room, a table. Each other.
Every plan call you’ve ever had with one of us, every “let me look that up for you,” every “let’s make sure your doctors are covered,” every honest “I don’t think that’s the right move for you” — was someone in this photo.

To this team, thank you for the year you just gave each other, and the people you served along the way.

05/28/2026

Splitting pills in half.

Stretching a refill an extra week.
Walking out of the pharmacy and skipping a meal so the math works.

If any of that sounds familiar, or you’ve watched someone you love do it, keep reading.

There’s a federal program called Extra Help that pays your Part D premium, your deductibles, and most of your copays. The income limits expanded recently. A lot of people who would qualify never apply, either because they assume they won’t, or because asking for help feels heavier than it should.

Here’s how to access it in 3 steps 👇
1️⃣ Check if you qualify.
2️⃣ Apply.
3️⃣ Review your plan.

It’s simple, and we take care of it for you.
Contact us sending a DM.

Address

873 S Mason Road Suite 320
Katy, TX
77450

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18323677969

Website

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