Unwanted calls and door knockers
I have received many calls in the past 6 weeks about aggressive insurance agents trying to schedule appointments with my clients. In most cases, what these agents are doing is actually against the law and violates CMS codes related to marketing. I highly encourage you to file a complaint with the Idaho Department of Insurance either […]
Transportation offered by many Medicare Advantage plans
There is a current trend for Medicare Advantage plans to work with members in arranging transportation for medical care. Here in the Treasure Valley, there are several plans that have a transportation benefit built into the plan. Note this article by Jennifer Bresnick describing national trends and Lyft getting involved to help people: Rideshare company […]
New Medicare Cards
The New Medicare Card mailing is complete! Everyone currently on Medicare should have their new card with the randomly-generated Medicare number replacing Social Security Numbers on Medicare cards and in Medicare systems. This number is also known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The biggest reason CMS took the SSN off of Medicare cards is […]
Healthcare Reform
Healthcare reform is complicated. There has been a quiet, steady rise in employer coverage (call it group coverage) which is the largest insured group in the United States. Medicaid coverage comes in second, Medicare third, and then individuals who have to purchase their own insurance plan. While a Medicare for all plan would help the […]
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month!
To make sure Americans are reminded of the need to include life insurance in their financial plans, the nonprofit organization Life Happens coordinates Life Insurance Awareness Month. Each September, Life Happens is joined in this educational initiative by more than 100 of the nation’s leading insurance companies and industry groups. The main reason to buy […]
Your Personal Resource
There is great value in having an independent agent at your fingertips. At absolutely no cost to you, you have a local advocate when you need it most. I am here to assist you each and every year in evaluating new plans and plan changes that may affect you. I value our relationship and am […]
Medicare Advantage Plans continue to grow.
Medicare Advanatage Plans have grown from 18% to 30% as a proportion of the total Medicare spending from 2007 to 2017. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has been steadily increasing over the measured decade from 2007 to 2017. 33% of Medicare beneficiaries were covered by Medicare Advantage plans in 2017, when ten years earlier, just 19% […]
Hang up on Medicare scams!
I had a client call me today to touch base and see if a call he had received was really from his Medicare plan or if it was a scam. Based on our conversation it was definitely a scam! The caller kept requesting more information from him and luckily he realized it was a scam […]
Are you planning to travel?
Many of our clients travel in retirement. Are you planning to travel outside of the U.S. this year? Before you go, remember to check your health insurance and/or Medicare coverage outside of the United States. Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B) stops at the border. You have coverage inside the U.S., however, in general, Medicare […]
Educational Seminar learning about Medicare
Our first Medicare 101 seminar sponsored by Regence Blue Shield of Idaho was a success! Individuals preparing for retirement and turning 65 gathered a lot of information and got their questions answered at the Emerald St. Als clinic yesterday. Everyone left knowing what their action steps are to get things lined up for the transition […]