About Joan Belcher, RN

As a home health aide she went house to house in Midcoast Maine assisting with personal care. She became a Registered Nurse, working in a Medicare Certified home health agency for 10 years.

In 1994 she founded Hummingbird Home Care, a Personal Care Agency with 25 employees that provided 24-hour private duty services for elders for 8 years.

She was appointed by Governor Baldacci to sit on the Blue Ribbon Commission to study the long term financing of the Dirigo Health Insurance Program and was featured in Business Week magazine in April 2007.

Joan opened Wabi Sabi Cottage, a Bed & Breakfast to fulfill a lifelong dream. Wabi Sabi Cottage became a destination for weary travelers, a breakfast round table for neighbors and a community gathering space for "Soup Night".

Returning to her nursing profession she worked in Camden at a Long Term Care facility and found she was caring for the very community elders she grew up with.  She was dedicated to her 96-year-old grandmother, visiting every weekend for picnics and adventures and provided end of life care in 2024.

Joan moved into the Acute Care Hospital setting, serving patients as a Care Manager at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. She earned her board certification in Care Management and worked at Maine Medical Center in Portland as an RN, Care Manager helping Doctors, Nurses, patients and families with post-acute care transitions. 

She has witnessed firsthand the uncertainty hospitalized patients and families face with changing care needs and the confusing, complicated world of Medicare and health insurance coverage.

As an Independent, Medicare & Licensed Health and Life Insurance Advisor, Joan is ”At the Helm in time of need”, committed to helping Maine citizens navigate the complex and confusing options and benefits available to them. Her goal is to minimize financial risk and maximize wellness and the peace of mind that comes from making informed choices about their health insurance and Medicare coverage options.

To round out her commitment to Mainers, she is Registered Social Security Analyst and offers singles and couples an analysis and personalized conversation to determine claiming strategies that will maximize financial goals and family/survivor benefits over a lifetime.  When to start collecting?  How much will my spouse or disabled child receive?  Am I eligible for a former spouse benefit?  What about my government pension offset?  All questions to get answers to as part of a comprehensive Social Security Retirement Analysis.

Education and License

• The University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

  Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Board Certified Care Manager (CCM)
• Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA®)
• CoverMe.gov Expert
• Small Business Health Insurance Broker