Houston Independent Insurance - Medicare & Life Broker Agent

Directions Website

Houston Independent Insurance - Medicare & Life Broker Agent Houston Independent Insurance is an insurance brokerage specializing in Medicare, life, and annuities We're independent, licensed, and here to serve you.

Helping you navigate your way through the Medicare maze is what we love doing at Houston Independent Insurance. When you want to make sure you have your healthcare portfolio all wrapped up for the best coverage that meets your unique needs, we're here to help. Mike Bauer is your number one insurance broker in Friendswood, TX, when it comes to understanding all the ins and outs of Medicare. Mike and his team will offer free quotes and information on all the details of the many Medicare products available to you. You can know that Mike and his team members will be kind, compassionate, and patient when assessing your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

A low premium looks great until you need care.Before you choose a Medicare plan, compare these five things:1️⃣ Doctors a...
10/17/2026

A low premium looks great until you need care.

Before you choose a Medicare plan, compare these five things:

1️⃣ Doctors and hospitals: are yours in the network?
2️⃣ Prescriptions: covered, and at what tier?
3️⃣ Out-of-pocket costs: copays, deductibles, and the yearly maximum
4️⃣ Extra benefits: dental, vision, hearing, and whether you'd really use them
5️⃣ How the plan works: referrals, prior authorizations, and travel coverage

The right plan is the one that fits how you actually use healthcare, not just the one with the smallest monthly number.

At Houston Independent Insurance, we focus on helping you understand your options. The decision stays yours.

What matters most to you when comparing plans?

CTA: Compare your options with a Medicare insurance broker at houstonii.com.

"Can I switch my Medicare plan?" Yes, but only during certain windows.📅 Initial Enrollment Period: the 7 months around y...
10/16/2026

"Can I switch my Medicare plan?" Yes, but only during certain windows.

📅 Initial Enrollment Period: the 7 months around your 65th birthday
📅 Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7, with changes starting January 1
📅 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31, for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan
📅 Special Enrollment Periods: certain life events, like moving or losing other coverage

Missing a window can mean waiting a full year to make changes, so it helps to know where you stand.

Not sure which one applies to you? That's a very normal question, and we're glad to help.

Which enrollment period were you unaware of?

CTA: Message us at houstonii.com to find out which window applies to you.

Medicare scammers are good at sounding official. Here's how to spot them.🚩 A call or text you didn't ask for, offering a...
10/14/2026

Medicare scammers are good at sounding official. Here's how to spot them.

🚩 A call or text you didn't ask for, offering a "free" card, device, or plan
🚩 Pressure to act right now
🚩 Requests for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details by phone
🚩 Claims that your card is "expiring" or that you must "verify" your account
🚩 Anyone who says they're calling from "Medicare" to sell you something

What to do: hang up, don't share personal information, and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you're unsure. You can also report suspected fraud there.

Please share this with a parent, neighbor, or friend who might need the reminder. Looking out for each other is what a good community does.

Has anyone in your family received one of these calls?

CTA: Questions about a call or letter you received? Message us at houstonii.com and we'll help you figure out what's legitimate.

Medicare costs can change from year to year, and the premium is only one piece of your total cost.During Annual Enrollme...
10/13/2026

Medicare costs can change from year to year, and the premium is only one piece of your total cost.

During Annual Enrollment, take a look at:

💲 Monthly premium (plan and Part B)
💲 Deductibles
💲 Copays for doctor visits, specialists, and hospital stays
💲 Prescription drug costs
💲 The yearly maximum you could pay out of pocket (on Medicare Advantage plans)

The cheapest premium isn't always the lowest total cost. A lower premium can come with higher copays or a smaller network, so it helps to look at the whole picture based on how you actually use care.

We're an independent Medicare agency here in Friendswood, and we're happy to help you work through the numbers.

What's one cost that surprised you this year?

CTA: Request a plan cost review at houstonii.com or call.

Before you pick a Medicare plan, look up your doctor. Then look up your medications.It sounds basic, but it's one of the...
10/11/2026

Before you pick a Medicare plan, look up your doctor. Then look up your medications.

It sounds basic, but it's one of the most common surprises we see. A plan can look great on paper, then you find out your cardiologist is out of network or your prescription sits in a higher cost tier.

Here's a quick way to check:

👉 Make a list of your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospital
👉 List every prescription, with dosage
👉 Check whether each is covered, and what you'd pay
👉 Confirm your pharmacy is in the plan's network
Plan networks and drug lists can change each year, so this is worth doing every fall, even if you're happy with your current plan.
If you'd rather not dig through directories alone, we're glad to run through it with you.

Do you know if your doctors are still in your plan's network?

CTA: Send us your doctor and drug list at houstonii.com and we'll help you compare.

"Which one is better?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer is that it depends on you.Medicare Advantage (Par...
10/09/2026

"Which one is better?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer is that it depends on you.

Medicare Advantage (Part C): One plan that bundles hospital and medical coverage, and often drug coverage and extras. You generally use a network of providers and pay copays or coinsurance, with a yearly out-of-pocket limit.

Original Medicare + Medigap: You keep Original Medicare and add a Medigap plan to help cover costs like deductibles and coinsurance. Medigap policies are standardized, and you typically add a separate Part D plan for prescriptions.

Things worth thinking about: how often you see doctors, whether you travel, your budget for premiums versus copays, and which doctors you want to keep.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and we won't pretend there is. Our job is to help you understand the trade-offs so the choice is yours.

Which one are you leaning toward, and why?

Turning 65 soon? Medicare enrollment has a timeline, and it's easier to handle when you start early.Your Initial Enrollm...
10/08/2026

Turning 65 soon? Medicare enrollment has a timeline, and it's easier to handle when you start early.

Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months. It begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ends 3 months after it. Here's a simple checklist:

☐ Find out whether you'll be enrolled automatically (this often applies if you already receive Social Security benefits)
☐ Decide how to get coverage: Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan
☐ Add prescription drug coverage if you need it
☐ List your doctors, prescriptions, and preferred pharmacy
☐ Mark your enrollment dates so nothing slips by

Missing your window can mean late penalties or gaps in coverage, so a little planning goes a long way.

If you're approaching 65 in the Houston area, a local Medicare agent can help you sort through all of this.

Are you turning 65 this year, or helping someone who is?

Book a Medicare enrollment consultation at houstonii.com

Address

706 A S Friendswood Drive
Pearland, TX
77546

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Houston Independent Insurance - Medicare & Life Broker Agent posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category