Cutting through the overload of Medicare information to find the right plan
by Elizabeth Ann Morabito
Turning 65 was a milestone for Josue Salazar, who came to the U.S. in 1966 and spent nearly three decades on the road as a long-haul truck driver from 1992 until he retired in 2019. But retirement brought an unexpected challenge—the overwhelming task of navigating Medicare. “I was a truck driver and knew nothing about Medicare. Nothing,” Salazar recalls.
To make things worse, he was bombarded by an overwhelming amount of mail. “I was getting piles of mail, every day,” he says. “All these flyers and brochures for different plans. It was too much. I didn’t even know where to start.”
Feeling lost, Salazar turned to a relative for advice. “I was telling them how lost I felt, and they suggested I reach out to the Department of Aging,” he explains. From there, Salazar learned about the Michigan Medicare Assistance Program (MMAP), and soon found himself at the Albion office, sitting down with Teresa Smith.
I was a truck driver and knew nothing about Medicare. Nothing.
Josue Salazar, former MMAP client and current MMAP volunteer counselor
Uncertain about the process and doubtful whether MMAP could truly help, Salazar felt understandably nervous when he first met Smith. “What I really appreciated about Teresa was her attitude,” Salazar shares. “She told me not to worry; that we would figure it all out.” And he believed her. Teresa’s approach was simple yet effective. “Being kind, understanding, and empathetic to someone is always a first step,” Teresa explains. Her confidence and can-do attitude immediately put him at ease.
coordinator/volunteer coordinator
Photo provided by Teresa Smith
Like many first-timers navigating Medicare, Salazar had no idea where to begin. Smith patiently guided him through comparing plans, providing the information he needed to make his own informed decision about the one that suited him best. Teresa explained, “I have a whole process of going through what I call ‘Medicare 101.'” What really blew Salazar away was the cost—or rather, the lack of it. His monthly prescription costs had been ranging between $3,000 and $4,000, but with his new plan, he didn’t pay a cent out-of-pocket. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the numbers,” Salazar says, still in amazement. “Zero dollars. Zero!”
Not only did Smith help Salazar enroll in the right plan, but she also inspired him to take on a new role. Smith shares, “Immediately I could tell he was very interested in learning more about Medicare than most, so I asked if he’d be interested in volunteering.” Salazar thought, “Why not?” It was a way to keep himself busy, but it quickly became more than that. “There’s a lot to learn, sure,” Salazar admits, “but helping people—it’s so fulfilling.”
As a volunteer, Salazar helps others navigate the often-overwhelming Medicare system, particularly native Spanish speakers who face additional language barriers. Salazar acts as a bridge, translating the Medicare lingo into plain Spanish. Teresa notes, “It is sad to see how difficult Medicare can be for the average person; when you have a language barrier, it becomes overwhelming.” Salazar adds, “When I explain it in their language, you can see the light bulb go off. It all starts to make sense.” He knows how overwhelming it feels because he was once in their shoes.
But Salazar’s help doesn’t stop at translating. He often goes above and beyond, even driving clients to hospitals or doctors’ appointments when they need an extra hand. “For some of them, the language barrier makes these places terrifying,” Salazar explains. “Being there for them makes all the difference.”
For Salazar, volunteering isn’t just about staying busy—it’s about making a meaningful difference. “It makes me feel really good to be helping others through the same thing I struggled with.”
To get help with your Medicare plan, reach out to MMAP to request assistance.
