Health Insurance Insights

  Navigating the Inadvertent Mail It's a frustrating and often painful experience: you're sifting through the day's mail, and amidst the bills and junk flyers, you find a piece of mail addressed to a loved one who has been gone for years. Or, perhaps, it's addressed to a previous resident of your home. You've asked for them to be removed from the lists, but the mail keeps coming. You might wonder, "How is this still happening? Don't these companies know?" The answer lies in the complex, often-outdated world of mailing lists. I know this from personal experience, as I send out a large number of mailers each year for Medicare Open Enrollment. And every year, I receive a handful of calls from kind, but understandably upset, people who have received a letter or postcard addressed to their deceased parent or spouse. Let me be clear: this is never intentional. The goal is to provide helpful information to people who are eligible for Medicare, not to cause di...

  Medicare Open Enrollment October 15th-December 7th. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is just around the corner, running from October 15 to December 7. This is your chance to review your current health and prescription drug coverage and make changes for the upcoming year. While it's easy to stick with the same plan, doing a yearly check-up on your coverage is crucial. Plans change, your health needs evolve, and new options become available every year. Here's why you should take a close look at your Medicare plan for 2026 and who should be at the top of the list to review their options. Why You Should Review Your Medicare Plan Think of AEP as your annual open-book exam for your health. Your current plan may have been perfect for 2025, but a new year brings new variables. 1. Plan Changes Are Common: Insurance companies often adjust their offerings. A plan that worked for you this year may have a different premium, a new list of covered drugs (formulary), or a diffe...

Are You a Senior with Diabetes? Let's Untangle Medicare Coverage for Your Supplies! Managing diabetes can be a lot, and navigating Medicare coverage for your testing supplies, insulin, and other essentials can feel like an extra burden. You're not alone if you've found yourself confused about what Medicare covers, or why one pharmacy might tell you something different from another. As a Medicare Agent, my goal is to help you understand your options and make sure you get the support you deserve. Let's break down some common questions about Medicare and your diabetes supplies. The Medicare Maze: Part B vs. Part D for Diabetic Supplies One of the biggest sources of confusion for seniors is understanding which part of Medicare covers what. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) often covers things like: Blood glucose meters (the machine you use to test your sugar). Blood glucose test strips. Lancets and lancet devices (the small needles you use to get a blood sample). Insulin ...

  Understanding Medication Costs and Telehealth Coverage Under Medicare If you take a medication that must be administered in your doctor’s office, it’s important to know that your out-of-pocket costs can vary significantly depending on how the medication is billed. How Medication Billing Works Here’s the key difference: If your prescription is filled at a pharmacy and you bring the medication to your doctor’s appointment for administration, the cost is usually covered under your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan . If your doctor provides the medication directly from their office , the cost will typically be billed through Medicare Part B medical insurance . Why Does This Matter? The distinction is important because Medicare Part B and Part D have different cost-sharing rules , especially if you have a Medicare Advantage plan . Under Part D , you typically pay a copayment or coinsurance based on your plan’s formulary tier system. Under Part B , you general...

  Are Those Ads for Free Money Cards or Groceries Real? If you’ve seen ads promoting free groceries, prepaid cards, or other extra benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, you’re not alone. These ads are common on TV and social media, often catching the attention of people on Medicare. But are they legitimate? The answer is: These benefits exist—but only for certain individuals. Who Qualifies for These Benefits? The benefits in these ads are available through specific Medicare Advantage Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), which are designed for people who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (also called "dual-eligible" individuals). Depending on the plan, these benefits may include: ✅ Grocery or healthy food allowances ✅ Assistance with utilities ✅ Over-the-counter (OTC) product benefits ✅ Transportation services ✅ Prepaid benefit cards for qualifying expenses However, not everyone qualifies for these programs. If you are not enrolled in both Medicare and Medica...

  Missed Open Enrollment? Here’s What You Can Do Now If you missed the Open Enrollment Period for health insurance, you may be wondering what options are still available to protect yourself and your family. The good news is that there are several ways to obtain coverage outside of Open Enrollment. Here’s what you need to know about Special Enrollment Periods, PPO plans, and indemnity plans. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) A Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll in a health insurance plan outside of the standard Open Enrollment window if you experience a qualifying life event. Common qualifying events include: Losing employer-sponsored health insurance Getting married or divorced Having a baby or adopting a child Moving to a new state or coverage area Aging off a parent’s health plan at 26 years old If you qualify for an SEP, you typically have 60 days from the event date to enroll in a new plan. It’s important to act quickly to avoid gaps in coverage. PPO Plans: Flexible...