The “Boxes” Method: A Simple Way to Help Clients Prioritize and Choose the Best Medicare Plan

Choosing a Medicare plan can feel overwhelming for both clients and agents. Every client comes with a unique set of doctors, medications, health needs, and wish-list benefits. When you’re helping a group of Medicare beneficiaries or teaching a workshop, this complexity multiplies.

That’s why the “Boxes Method” is one of the most effective tools for guiding clients through Medicare decision-making. It simplifies their priorities into clear categories and helps them understand the trade-offs that come with each Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement option.

In this blog, you’ll learn exactly how to use the Boxes Method to make plan selection easier, build trust, and increase clarity for every client.

Step 1: Identify Their Priority “Boxes”

Start by inviting clients to list their top Medicare priorities. Most concerns fall into four main “boxes”:

1. Doctors

• How important is it to keep your current providers?

• Who are your dealbreaker doctors, the ones you absolutely want to keep?

2. Medication Copay Costs

• How many prescriptions do you take?

• Are they generics or brand-name medications?

3. Medical Copays

• What health concerns do you have now or in the near future?

• How often do you expect to use your plan?

4. Benefits & Extras

• Dental

• Vision

• Hearing

• Over-the-counter allowance

• Healthy food card

• Transportation

• Gym or wellness benefits

Pro tip:
Have clients rank each box from 1 to 4, with 1 being most important.
This keeps conversations focused and gives structure when you later present plan options.

Step 2: Use the Rankings to Navigate Trade-Offs

Once the rankings are set, use them during your plan review to guide transparent conversations.

Example:
“This plan covers your #2 and #3 priorities, but not #1. Let’s look at what that would mean for you.”

This helps clients:
✔ Understand the why behind your recommendations
✔ Feel empowered and involved in the decision
✔ Stay focused on what matters most

Here’s how to apply the rankings:

• Doctor Networks

Many clients have long lists of providers. Help differentiate between:

• Dealbreaker doctors

• Doctors they see only occasionally

Ask: “Are you comfortable keeping your most important doctors and replacing others with highly rated new providers?”

• Medication vs. Medical Copays

Sometimes the best prescription coverage comes with higher medical copays— or vice versa.

Example conversation:
“Would you accept higher copays for specialist visits if it means saving hundreds per month on medications?”

• Benefits & Extras

Not every plan can check every single box. Guide them through the reality:
“Let’s see what it would take to get all the extras you want. If no plan checks every box, we’ll prioritize based on your rankings.”

Step 3: Set Realistic Expectations

This method helps prepare clients for realistic Medicare outcomes.

Help them understand:

• Trade-offs are normal and unavoidable.

• Prioritizing their dealbreakers leads to the best available fit.

• In some cases, keeping core doctors may mean switching others.

• Plans change annually, so flexibility is important.

Why the Boxes Method Works

For Clients

• Simplifies Medicare decision-making

• Reduces overwhelm

• Builds trust through transparency

• Creates a clear, organized framework for comparing plans

For Agents

• Streamlines complex cases

• Makes workshops interactive and easy to follow

• Strengthens your credibility and professionalism

• Encourages collaborative decision-making

If you’re looking for a career that offers independence, flexibility, and purpose, becoming a Medicare agent with us could be your perfect fit.

👉 Ready to take the next step?
Contact us or visit Senior Health Agent Hub to start your journey today.