Health insurance has a way of making otherwise perfectly capable adults stare at a page full of options and wonder what, exactly, they’re looking at.

Mario Perez understands.

A licensed health insurance agent specializing in Medicare, Mario works with individuals and families to help them navigate their health insurance options and find coverage that fits their needs. While Medicare is a major focus of his work, he also assists clients looking for individual plans, family coverage and other specialized options.

And regardless of what brings someone to him, Mario’s approach is the same: make insurance easier to understand.

That becomes especially important with Medicare.

“Medicare is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution,” Mario says. He helps clients sort through Medicare Advantage, Medigap and prescription drug plans, breaking the options into clear, manageable choices.

There’s also an important distinction in how Mario works. He is an independent insurance broker rather than an agent representing one specific company.

“When I sit at the table with a client, I sit on the same side of the table as them,” he says. “I don’t work for a specific company. I work for my clients.”

Because Mario works with multiple top-rated insurance carriers, he can help clients compare options based on their individual circumstances. His consulting and enrollment services also come at no cost to the client.

An Albuquerque native who now lives in the Rio Rancho area, Mario didn’t begin his career in insurance. Before entering the industry, he worked as a general manager for different restaurants, a career he says he enjoyed tremendously. He eventually studied for his insurance license, started in the industry part time and transitioned into it full time.

“I have wanted to make a meaningful difference and find purpose in my work,” Mario says. “I discovered that purpose in the insurance industry.”

That purpose extends well beyond his office. Mario regularly visits food pantries, health fairs, senior apartments and community centers to provide information and educate consumers. He is also fluent in both English and Spanish.

At home, Mario’s greatest pride is his family: his wife, Crystal; children Carley, 19, Xzander, 13, and Zayne, 8; and their dog, Buster. They enjoy movies, family road trips, basketball, soccer, hiking, swimming and the Balloon Fiesta. And when ordering New Mexico chile, Mario has already settled the debate: “Christmas is the way to go!”

For Placitas residents, Mario has one particularly important piece of advice: health insurance isn’t something to choose once and never revisit.

“It is not a one-size-fits-all, set-it-and-forget-it type of thing,” he says. He recommends meeting with your benefits advisor or insurance broker at least once a year.

And if you’re approaching 65, retiring soon or already on Medicare, that conversation can be especially worthwhile. Even if you simply want to review your current health coverage, Mario can help you understand your options.

Because when it comes to something as important as your health and finances, it helps to have someone sitting on your side of the table.