I’ve been thinking…

The recent requirement for seniors to verify their identity in person to access Social Security benefits is a major hurdle—one that could leave many vulnerable individuals without the support they rely on. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis for those who have no transportation, no family or trusted friends to assist them, and no ability to navigate online systems. While some seniors can travel and handle these requirements, many cannot. We need real solutions—now.

Practical Solutions for Real People

It’s time to think outside the box. Here are a few ideas that could make this process easier, faster, and more accessible:

1. Drive-Through Verification Centers – Abandoned fast-food buildings or large parking lots could be transformed into drive-through verification sites, much like the instant systems used during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Seniors could verify their identity without ever leaving their vehicle.

2. Dedicated Senior-Only Weeks at Social Security Offices – One week per month could be set aside exclusively for individuals 64 and older, allowing them to be served more efficiently without long wait times.

3. Mobile Verification Units – Similar to food banks or farmers’ markets, these pop-up verification sites could travel county to county, staffed by Social Security employees, making access possible for those in rural or underserved areas.

4. Certified Medicare Broker Verification Program – A select group of actively licensed Medicare Brokers could be trained and certified to complete identity verifications using a secure system. This process would require multiple attestations to confirm a person’s identity, ensuring integrity and accuracy. To participate, brokers would need to hold licenses with at least five different Medicare carriers, proving their commitment and investment in serving seniors. This certification would come with strict ethical guidelines—one violation, and they lose their credentials.

Why We Must Act

There’s no question that fraud exists, and people abusing the system only make it harder for those who genuinely need help. However, forcing all seniors to go through a process they may not physically be able to complete isn’t the answer. We can create solutions that maintain security while also protecting and respecting the people who built this country.

Investing in these solutions requires trust—trust that people will act with integrity and that those in power will prioritize seniors over bureaucracy. But make no mistake: doing nothing is not an option.

As a Medicare Broker, I see the challenges seniors face every day. I go through extensive training and licensing every year, dedicating 40–60 hours to ensuring I have the knowledge needed to help my clients navigate their healthcare options. This isn’t just my job—it’s my mission. Every senior deserves access to their benefits without unnecessary obstacles.

Now, we need policymakers and decision-makers to step up and make Social Security identity verification accessible, fair, and practical for all.

Sarita Shoemaker

March 24, 2025

Three quick stories that can save you stress, peace of mind and MONEY!!

CRISIS TIME IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO PREPARE

Happily married couple for decades.  Successful husband and bread winner.  Wife raised their family.  Life was rolling along as planned until husband’s health took a turn.  They were Retired by this point in life and he was the ONLY person that had the data about their financial house, including their healthcare coverage. 

After a year of battling this health problem, husband became bed ridden and unable to communicate.  Wife did not know the circumstances she would be facing until too late.  She had to reconstruct their financial house and healthcare from clues.  She did not know passwords, accounts, names of plans…things you need to know.

1. Share your Financial House data with your Spouse or if you are not married, share with someone you trust with your life choices.
2. Complete a Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA) process FOR BOTH OF YOU so you can speak on the others’ behalf in crisis.   Not all States handle this the same.  Here is the COLORADO link.  https://cdphe.colorado.gov/palliative-care/advance-care-planning-for-patients-and-families
3. In my field I have two PLATINUM GOLD resources that can help you navigate:  Andrea Wacker with Legal Shield and Shalah Mae Zimmerman – Mobile Notary (719) 491-3718.  Do not hesitate!  Call them now and get on their calendars to get this into motion.

ONE STEP SAVED $7,600

New Medicare Beneficiary visits doctor and discovers there will be three procedures that must be done.  Asks Doc to get the authorization IN WRITING before scheduling.  Doc office assures Beneficiary they are “good” so the procedures are scheduled and completed.  All is good. 

Beneficiary goes on a month-long vacation and returns to a bill for $7600 from Doc office. 

Calls them to ask why they are holding a bill for the procedures to which Doc Office says, “Carrier did not approve them.” 

Luckily, Beneficiary had this authorization IN WRITING and held her ground: that was NOT their problem and she is not paying that bill. 

Doc office tried to negotiate but failed.  Someone had a job at the Doc office to get authorizations and THEY LIED ABOUT IT.  The Carrier was in the clear: they had not given authorization.  The Beneficiary was in the clear: had it in writing that it was covered.  I can only assume that the Doc Office administrator that lied is not working there any longer.  

1. Do not accept procedures without Prior Authorization.  Get this in writing.  Don’t be frustrated that you have to do this.  You will be glad you did!

PROOF IS EITHER IN THE PUDDING OR IN WRITING

Beneficiary called her Supplemental Company three times to make sure she was covered for a trip to Canada to visit friends. 

Three times, she asserts, she was told she was covered.  She is the type of person that plans! 

With peace of mind she visits Canada and on one of their excursions she falls off her bike crashing.  This landed her in the hospital for a lot of procedures and a week in-patient stay.  Now, remember, Canada isn’t going to accept Medicare.  How it works: she gets the care she needs, pays the Canadian bills and brings receipts home for reimbursement.  Which she did.  Her Supplemental Company DENIED HER REIMBURSEMENT completely. 

She (understandably) felt betrayed and asked,

“WHY did you deny my claim when I had three conversations confirming my coverage would follow me to Canada?  You confirmed it!”

and their response,

“PROVE IT.”

NO DICE, she could not…and now she is paying tens of thousands of credit card debt.  

1. Again, get things IN WRITING.  
2. Keep a journal of all of your conversations with carriers.  The date, time of call, reason for call, the individual people’s names you talked to, any “record or service number” connected to the call, record the call if you can, notes of outcome from the call.  This type of meticulous documentation is very useful in proving you did and said what you did and said!  Guess what the percentage of people is that KEEP RECORDS LIKE THIS?  Better yet, just ask 10 of your friends or family if they do.  I don’t have a scientific study to give you a perfect response but I’ve met with 250 people this year and 5 of you keep close track of all correspondence.

DISCLAIMER!

I wrote the above at 80 miles per hour. Pardon the errors and typos. AI is losing its mind with suggestions on changing and re-working my post. I have three days left to help people get their Medicare House in order for 2025.

Open Enrollment closes on December 7th at midnight.

CALL YOUR BROKER AND GET YOUR PLAN REVIEW DONE.

Call your loved ones on Medicare and check on them. You can confirm what your / their plan is for 2025 by calling Medicare (open 24/7) at 800-633-4227.