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Spanish-First vs. Spanish-Translated: Why Bilingual Medicare Matters in Ventura County

There is a real difference between a Medicare agent who translates a script and a Medicare agent who is bilingual. For 76 percent Hispanic Oxnard and the rest of Ventura County, it is the difference between the right plan and the wrong one.

Lourdes Simons 2026-05-18 4 min read

The 'translated agent' problem

Most national Medicare phone rooms do not employ bilingual agents. They employ English-speaking agents who read a translated script when a Spanish-speaking caller comes through. The result is predictable: the agent cannot answer follow-up questions in Spanish, cannot explain trade-offs, and often pushes the caller to whatever plan is highest commission this week. In a place like Oxnard, where 76 percent of households speak Spanish at home, this is the rule, not the exception.

Why bilingual matters more than 'language support'

Real bilingual service is more than a phone line. It means the consultation itself happens in Spanish. It means the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) get explained in Spanish. It means when the carrier denies a claim in March, the agent calls them with the client on the line and translates in real time. That is what Lourdes Simons does in Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, east Simi Valley, Reseda, and Northridge.

What to ask before you trust a bilingual broker

Lourdes's promise

Lourdes Simons is bilingual (Spanish first), independent (8 organizations and 75 products), and stays with her clients all year. Her California license number is 4072266 and her NPI is 19713985. She lives in Simi Valley, 20 minutes from Oxnard.

June 2026

Meet Lourdes in Person This June

Two community events near Ventura County this June. Drop in, bring questions, no pitch.

UPCOMING

Coffee, Chat, and Medicare

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 · 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Oak Creek Senior Villas
367 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

An hour of coffee and real conversation. Bring any Medicare question. No slides. No pitch. Just neighbors and answers.

UPCOMING

Medicare Educational 101

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 · 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Total Wine & More
394 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

A drop-in education evening covering the basics of Medicare and the choices most people face at 65 and after. Stop by any time during the window.

Get a No-Cost Bilingual Consultation

A licensed Medicare agent will reach out within one business day. Spanish or English.

  • No-cost. Licensed agents are paid by the carrier, not by you.
  • Bilingual. Spanish or English. Family members welcome.
  • CMS-compliant. No plan information until a Scope of Appointment is signed.
  • Year-round support. Lourdes joins member-services calls all year.

Get a No-Cost Bilingual Consultation

A licensed Medicare agent will reach out within one business day. Spanish or English.

Coffee, Chat, and Medicare — June 10, Thousand Oaks
Medicare Educational 101 — June 23, Total Wine, Thousand Oaks

Or call directly: 323-673-7613

Thank you! Lourdes will call you within one business day. If urgent, please dial 323-673-7613 directly.

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