Health Insurance Insights

  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...