Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, a MacArthur Fellow and precision oncology leader, will speak at the Redlands Forum Oct. 28
The publisher of Black Voice News and founder of the Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub will speak Nov. 1 at the University of Redlands.
As Medicare open enrollment begins, Welsh Insurance Services is helping seniors in Redlands make confident choices that keep their trusted doctors — and their care — close to home.
As Medicare open enrollment begins, Welsh Insurance Services is helping seniors in Redlands make confident choices that keep their trusted doctors — and their care — close to home.
This article is made possible by Welsh Insurance Services.
When the Medicare open enrollment window opens each fall, the flood of mailers, commercials, and conflicting advice can make an already complicated decision feel impossible. But in Redlands, one insurance agency is taking a simpler, more personal approach.
“People get flooded with messages this time of year,” said Scott Welsh, co-owner of Welsh Insurance Services. “Our job is to cut through the noise and help them understand what really matters — keeping their doctor and getting the coverage that fits their needs.”
Open enrollment, officially known as the annual enrollment period, runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare-eligible adults can switch plans, review their prescription coverage, or explore Medicare Advantage options that include extra benefits such as dental, vision, and chiropractic care.
“Southern California is actually one of the best places in the country for Medicare Advantage benefits,” Welsh said. “Plans here often include services at zero cost to the beneficiary, which can be a huge help for seniors on fixed incomes.”
Welsh Insurance Services, founded by Sarah Welsh in 2010, has operated from its Redlands Boulevard office for more than 15 years. The husband-wife team offers what Scott calls “neutral-based navigation” — helping people understand their choices without steering them toward a particular insurer.
“We’re paid the same way by all the health plans, so we don’t have a bias one way or another,” he explained. “Our only bias is to make sure people are safe, happy, and able to see the doctors they want.”
Unlike the national call centers or 1-800-number hotlines that flood the airwaves during open enrollment, Scott and Sarah meet with clients one-on-one, reviewing their current coverage, medications, and preferred physicians. Many consultations take place in person — a rarity in today’s digital-first insurance world.
“We’re local, and we’re available,” Welsh said. “When someone calls, they’re not getting a call center in another state. They’re getting someone who knows the local hospitals, the local doctors, and how the plans work here.”
One of those local relationships is with Community Alliance Medical Group, a new physician-led network serving Redlands, Yucaipa, and Beaumont. The group was formed by longtime local doctors to restore community-based care after years of corporate consolidation.
“It’s been a great partnership,” Welsh said. “Their doctors are trusted, they live here, and they’re not part of a large out-of-state corporation. We know them personally and can help patients stay connected to them through the right coverage.”
Ali McClintock, president of Community Alliance Medical Group, echoed the importance of those local ties.
“They invite us to their community meetings and connect us with patients who need guidance,” she said. “There’s so much misinformation during open enrollment. Working with a trusted, licensed local broker like Welsh Insurance ensures patients get accurate, unbiased advice.”
Because Community Health Alliance accepts most major insurance carriers, Welsh said, many patients don’t need to change their plan to stay with their doctor — they simply need to make sure their medical group assignment is updated.
“That’s where we come in,” he said. “If someone loves their doctor, we help them make sure their plan reflects that. And if they ever run into problems, they can come back to us and we’ll fix it.”
The demand for guidance is only growing. Welsh noted that people born in 1960 — the largest birth year of the baby boomer generation — are turning 65 this year, marking a peak period for new Medicare enrollments that will continue for several more years.
“There’s a wave of people becoming eligible, and many are working longer, which adds another layer of complexity,” he said. “We help them figure out when to enroll, what their options are, and how to align that with their healthcare needs.”
For Welsh, the work is deeply personal. “It’s not about selling policies,” he said. “It’s about helping our neighbors make confident decisions about their health.”
He added that Medicare is a cornerstone of American healthcare. “We all pay into the Medicare Trust Fund our whole lives,” Welsh said. “That’s your money at work for you. You deserve access to good care, not to be lost in the shuffle.”
That belief in access and accountability ties Welsh Insurance Services to the same mission driving Community Alliance Medical Group: keeping care decisions local.
“When people have a relationship with their doctor, they’re healthier and happier,” Welsh said. “Our job is to make sure their insurance supports that, not stands in the way of it.”
Medicare open enrollment runs through Dec. 7. For more information or a free consultation, contact Welsh Insurance Services:
Call: 909-307-5900
Online: WelshAdvantage.com
Attend an upcoming Open Enrollment Informational Meeting:
Friday, October 24, 2025
10:00-11:100 am
Ayres Hotel
1015 W. Colton Ave., Redlands CA
Monday, October 27, 2025
1:00-2:00pm
Ayres Hotel
1015 W. Colton Ave., Redlands CA
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
10:00-11:00am
Ayres Hotel
1015 W. Colton Ave., Redlands CA
Spotlight on Local Healthcare is a Community Forward Redlands series highlighting local providers, partnerships, and solutions that keep care accessible and community-focused in Redlands and the Inland Empire.
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