Health Insurance Insights

  The Insurance "Tax Season": A Peek Inside the Broker’s Open Enrollment Chaos If you want to know what a health insurance broker’s life looks like from October to January, just ask a CPA how they feel in mid-April. We are kindred spirits, bound by the "Golden Window"—that high-stakes, caffeine-fueled sprint where a year’s worth of revenue and a lifetime of client trust are decided in a matter of weeks. While the rest of the world is planning Thanksgiving menus and holiday shopping, we are living in the "War Room." The "Sprint" by the Numbers People often ask, "What’s the big deal? It’s just insurance." But when you look at the calendar, the math becomes clear: Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP):  You have exactly  7.5 weeks  (Oct 15 – Dec 7). This is the "Big One." It’s a hard deadline—if we miss it, your coverage is locked for the year. Individual Marketplace (ACA):  You have  11 weeks  (Nov 1 – Jan 15). Reducing to 7 weeks th...

A new year often brings fresh routines, new goals, and sometimes even a new Medicare plan. While much of the world continues to change, one thing stays the same: understanding your Medicare coverage can help you start the year with confidence and avoid unexpected costs. Whether you stayed in the same plan or made a change during the Annual Enrollment Period, here are a few important reminders and helpful tips to keep in mind as we move into the new year. You May Experience Cost Changes in January One of the most important things to remember is that Medicare Advantage plans reset many cost-sharing limits at the start of the year. Medical Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) amounts reset on January 1 This means that if you have copays and/or coinsurance on your Medicare Advantage plan, your costs for services at the hospital, on doctor’s visits, for outpatient care, and other medically covered services may be higher than what you were paying in January. Prescription Drug Plan Maximum Out-of-Poc...

Thinking about a hospital stay is never fun, but being prepared can make all the difference. That's where a hospital indemnity plan comes in! This type of supplemental insurance can be a game-changer, especially if you have a high-deductible ACA plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. How Does It Work? A hospital indemnity plan pays you a fixed cash benefit if you're hospitalized for a covered illness or injury. The money is paid directly to you, and you can use it however you choose. This direct payment is key, as it gives you the flexibility to address your specific financial needs during a challenging time. For Those with a High-Deductible ACA Plan: Your deductible can be a major expense, and it can be hard to pay for all at once. The cash benefit from a hospital indemnity plan can help you cover that deductible, coinsurance, or any other out-of-pocket costs, so you can focus on getting well. Imagine facing a significant medical bill after a hospital stay; this plan can act as a ...

How Your Health & Medicare Agent Gets Paid (and Why It Matters to You!) When you buy health or Medicare insurance, you rely on an agent to guide you through a confusing, complex process. But have you ever stopped to wonder how that agent gets paid? And, more importantly, does their paycheck impact the advice they give you? I’m here to pull back the curtain on agent compensation. My goal is simple:  transparency . I didn't start my career as the informed independent broker I am today. I started eager for a new career and sought out what I thought was the necessary path: a  captive agency . My Journey from Captive to Independent My first stop was a large, well-known agency. For about a year, I worked hard, but I quickly realized I wasn't getting the  training and team support  I needed. While they provided leads, they required constant cold-calling—which simply wasn't my cup of tea. Seeking better guidance, I moved to a second captive agency. I’ll be honest: at the...

  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...