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Hi, I'm Andrew Hibbard
This Is My Story And I'm Sticking To It
I went from growing up in Amherst, NY to working for Disney, to proudly serving my country in the United States Air Force Fire Department, to now proudly serving my community by creating the WNY Medicare SmartStart Program™ as the first Medicare experience in WNY of its kind, where everything with Medicare is done-for-you...from signing up for Part & B...and beyond.
In fact, I have now personally helped more than 850+ WNY'ers through my proven program to make signing up and starting with Medicare simpler, easier, seemingly stress-free and almost effortless!
And, you may be asking yourself, "How can you be qualified to help me with Medicare if you aren't the Federal Government and you don't work for a Medicare Insurance company?" (I get this question a lot).
Well, let me explain...
If I'm being honest, my fifth grade career worksheet definitely did not say "become a Medicare expert." I actually wanted to be a firefighter like my grandpa.
Along the way, I actually fell face first into the "wonderful world of Medicare" after a tragic circumstance with my own family occurred, which brought up an immediate concern about covering cancer costs, and the subsequent financial burden to bear brought me to work for, at the time, one of the largest Medicare Health Insurance Companies nationwide (on the Fortune 100 list and you would know if mentioned by name).
You see, for my family I HAD to become a Medicare expert out of circumstance...not by choice.
Now, there are a lot of background details I am going to skip over which are only significant to me and will be insignificant to you. I'll share more with you on how I became a local Medicare advocate, professionally published Medicare author and sought-after guest speaker on Medicare later on, but what's important for you to know right now is simply the sad fact that most people stress and struggle how to get started with Medicare because they are left to fend for themselves with how to fill out and file their forms...and IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!
Just know that the problem isn't with you...it's with the limited information you have and the lack of reliable resources available.
But here's the thing about my story...
It's Not Really About What I Did...
It's About Why I Did It.
1987
A Future Medicare Master Is Born...
On a cool, fall day in September 1987, I make my way into the world.
Like most Buffalo-born babies, I am immediately bundled in Buffalo Bills fashion.
Let's Go Buffalo!
2005
Fast Forward To Life as An Adult...
I grew up in Amherst my entire life...right behind Brunner's Tavern (which most people seem to know quite well). I was heavily involved in Boy Scout Troop 261 and faithfully attended religious education, right across the street at St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Parish.
In 2005 I graduated from Amherst High School and had intentions to become a Buffalo City Firefighter, like my grandpa, and most men on my mom's side of the family. Due to residency requirements, I was ineligible, so instead, I joined as a volunteer firefighter with Eggertsville Hose Company and went to Canisius College.
2009 // 2010
College Grad To Earning My Ears...
While at Canisius College, I earned my Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training with a minor in Sports & Exercise Science (2009), and continued on to earn my Master's Degree in Physical & Health Education (2010).
Funny thing is, I decided not to teach, and rather take job with Disney Cruise Line and open their "Youth Activities" Department onboard the Disney Dream --- which is where I met my now wife, Lyndsey, (who was recruited as a featured Theatre Singer/Dancer in the onboard Broadway shows) and go figure, she also happened to be from Buffalo (Lancaster, actually).
What’s really interesting is how she attempted to ignore my courtship, but I had an unfair advantage --- there’s really nowhere to avoid someone when you live on a ship in the middle of the ocean. I guess it must have been fate, right?
2012
I Decide To Drift From Disney So I Can Eagerly Enlist...
I ended up working for Disney Cruise Line for 2 years. I like being able to push toward the pursuit of something with meaningful value and impact (must be the Boy Scout in me), and there was significant limitations on career advancement.
I was at a cross-roads with Lyndsey and I now engaged, and needing a direction; a path to pursue with some sort of service, so I enlisted in the United States Air Force and it was an easy selection for the Fire Department with my past history with the Fire Service.
I end up graduating Basic Training with the distinct honor and privilege of "Honor Graduate," and follow on with the academic achievement award of the "Top Graduate" of my Department of Defense Fire Academy class.
2014
Lyndsey And I Get Married...
It was a hot, July day at Becker Farms. 7/11 actually (which is FREE SLURPIE DAY!)
2015
I Step Into The Medicare Maze...
2017
An Amazing Medicare Discovery Is Made...
I had learned a lot and spent my time on what I came to call: "reactive" Medicare planning which meant meeting with WNY'ers after a catastrophic diagnosis was determined and finding unknown, uncommon and unusual ways to save them money after-the-fact.
As it turns out the biggest meaningful impact I could have was in: "proactive Medicare planning" which meant meeting with WNY'ers pre-65 to help them sign up and get started with Medicare there right way so they are better financially protected in the future against unplanned and unexpected major medical events.
But, as an Insurance Company employee I can't actually pursue this effort because of their rules, regulations and restrictions...
...So, Lyndsey encourages me to quit my job at the company and focus on serving my community in a more meaningful way. I become a small-business owner overnight. Now what?
2018
I Create A Completely Different Way To Sign Up And Get Started With Medicare In WNY...
I finally get fed up enough with the real lack of reliable Medicare resources available around town and decide to create a solution to the problem the Federal Government won't solve and the Insurance Companies can't.
Lyndsey and I design and develop the Medicare SmartStart Program™ through an organized and orchestrated effort with a handful of HR reps from small-business's based in Buffalo.
It becomes the first Medicare experience of it's kind in WNY where residents can enjoy everything with Medicare is done for them...from signing up for Part A & B...and beyond...without costing them a dime!
Before the end of the year 50 WNY'ers have participated in the program.
2019
My First Daughter Is Born...
We name her Charlie, after a nickname my grandma had for me growing up.
We move into our first office location on Main St in Clarence, NY.
The success of my Medicare SmartStart Program™ is spreading and more than 250 WNY'ers have participated throughout the year.
2020
WNY's Very Own "Mr.Medicare"...
I begin writing articles in Forever Young magazine as a featured contributor, and WECK Radio finds and follows the re-occurring column and invites me on their Senior Matters show, officially dubbing me WNY's Very Own "Mr. Medicare."
After the 2-hour segment gets played on the radio, I quickly become sought-after to present privately at Employer events for soon-to-be 65 employees and community education seminars wishing me to speak.
The reputation of my Medicare SmartStart Program ™ gets national recognition and I get approached by a book publisher to write a short, helpful book for baby Boomers on everything needed to know about Medicare pre-65.
We title it, "Starting Medicare Smartly," and offer it 100% free to all who want it.
I am now a professionally published author!
My Medicare SmartStart Program™ participants reach more than 400!
2021
My Second Daughter Is Born...
We name her Chloe. My family has a traditional where all kids in the same sub-family-unit have first names that start with the same first letter. So now we have Charlie and Chloe.
I officially help the 500th WNY'er through my Medicare SmartStart Program™, and keep growing to 600 participants before year end.
2022
We Commit To Charitable Giving...
WNY Heroes
--- supports WNY Veterans and families with resources and services ---
FeedMore WNY
--- provides meals to homebound WNY'ers 60 and older ---
2023
My Third Child Is Born...A Boy!
We name him Chase, keeping with all our kids names starting with 'Ch.' We are excited to bring home our first boy and introduce him to his two sisters.
My book, Starting Medicare Smartly, becomes and Amazon #1 Best-Seller in three (3) categories!
I officially help the 1,000th WNY'er through my Medicare SmartStart Program™ just before year end.
2024
The Future Looks Fantastic...
We are excited to grow the impact of my Medicare SmartStart Program™ across the WNY area through a concerted and concentrated community outreach effort with School Districts and Small-Businesses based in Buffalo.
We set a strategic goal to help 2,500 Baby Boomers in WNY with my free Medicare SmartStart Program™ by the end of 2025!
You Can Feel Confident Knowing What To Do With Medicare.
I Can Take Away The Stress Of Trying To Tackle It On Your Own.
Figuring out all the fine print with Medicare doesn't need to feel stressful. You don't have to spend your scarce free time at home, alone, in isolation, relying on your own assumptions and hit-or-miss guesses, attempting to do-it-yourself.
Confidently knowing exactly what to do (and when) with Medicare is the key to avoiding future fines and fees and only my Medicare SmartStart Program™ will show you how.
If you don't have the time or the desire to deal with Medicare directly, and want a BETTER, SMARTER, time-saving solution to short-cut hours of your own trial and error so you know --- without question --- you aren't messing anything up making a mistake...
Let me put my proven Medicare SmartStart Program™ to work for you - for FREE!
Click the link below to take the next step and schedule a complimentary Medicare SmartStart Strategy Session with me --- it's that easy!
You Can Feel Confident Knowing What To Do With Medicare.
I Can Take Away The Stress Of Trying To Tackle It On Your Own.
Figuring out all the fine print with Medicare doesn't need to feel stressful. You don't have to spend your scarce free time at home, alone, in isolation, relying on your own assumptions and hit-or-miss guesses, attempting to do-it-yourself.
Confidently knowing exactly what to do (and when) with Medicare is the key to avoiding future fines and fees and only my Medicare SmartStart Program will show you how.
If you don't have the time or the desire to deal with Medicare directly, and want a BETTER, SMARTER, time-saving solution to short-cut hours of your own trial and error so you know --- without question --- you aren't messing anything up making a mistake...
Let me put my proven Medicare SmartStart Program to work for you.
Click the link below to take the next step and schedule a complimentary Medicare SmartStart Strategy Session with me --- it's that easy!
Get Started For FREE!
Who Is Andrew Hibbard?
Since 2015, Andrew has helped over 850+ Western New Yorkers through his nationally recognized Medicare SmartStart Program, taking away all the stress from folks trying to tackle Medicare on their own. His impressive record of success has been gotten Andrew featured in Forever Young Magazine and the BEE Group Newspapers, exclusive interviews on WECK Radio's Senior Matter's Program, and author an #1 Amazon best-selling guidebook on the subject, "Starting Medicare Smartly," revealing how the rules specifically and significantly differ for NY residents versus other states.
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