Chronic Special Needs

05/28/2025

Here’s to more moments that matter. (888) 883-6074, [email protected],
MorePlansMoreChoices.com

12/12/2024

Another Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) has come and gone, and whew, what a wild ride it's been! The healthcare landscape shifted like sand beneath our feet, testing the resilience of clients and agents alike. Go to my blog for my year-end analysis and comments:

Medicare Mayhem: My Year-End Survival Guide Another Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) has come and gone, and whew, what a wild ride it’s been! This season was like navigating a complex …

11/20/2024

Understanding Medicare Payments After a Loved One's Passing. I recently received that unfortunate phone call that a customer has passed away. The family did not know how to stop Medicare from drafting the next monthly premium. In addition, there were Drug Plan and Supplement Plan accounts as well. Go to my blog for a quick snapshot of what to do if this happens to you.

When a person enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), or a Medicare drug plan (Part D) passes away, here’s what typically happens to the payments: 1. Medicare Premiums Automatic …

10/12/2024

The Social Security Administration has released the Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2025. More than 72 million people will receive a 2.5% increase. When you will start seeing those benefits depends on what type of Social Security you are receiving. Go to my blog to find out more.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025. The 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin w…

09/20/2024

As we look ahead to 2025, some Medicare beneficiaries may notice a small Part B giveback. This development has left many wondering about the reasons behind this change. Let's dive into the factors contributing to this situation. Go to my blog for more:

As we look ahead to 2025, some Medicare beneficiaries may notice a small Part B giveback. This development has left many wondering about the reasons behind this change. Let’s dive into the fa…

09/13/2024

The cost of your maintaining your Medicare Supplement and Drug plan could get crazy in 2025. Go to my blog for more:

Medicare Supplement premiums do tend to go up every year.  Historically these increases have been reasonable.  However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, they did see some sharply higher i…

09/06/2024

Are you looking at a Medicare Advantage Plan with a Medical Deductible? Find out what it is and how I advise my customers. Go to my blog:

A Medicare Advantage Plan medical deductible is an amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. At the end of my blog, I will go over…

09/04/2024

Will the Social Security Administration contact you by email or text? I researched this topic for a customer. Go to my blog to find out what I found out:

Occasionally I do get questions from existing customers concerning a text message or email form the Social Security Administration. This is not my area of expertise, so I had to do some research. T…

09/02/2024

What is the “Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Unused Supplemental Benefits” rule. It’s new for 2025 and I’m still researching it, go to my Blog to find out what I have found out so far:

Are you forgetful?  Do you leave some of your Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits behind each year?  Well, you are not alone and apparently Medicare is aware and doing something abou…

10/05/2021

What in the World is the ANOC?

If you already have Medicare, you received a big package with information about your existing Medicare Advantage or Drug Plan. You are wondering why you got it and what is it all about.

This big package, normally encased in plastic, is known as the Annual Notice of Change or the ANOC.
Medicare requires your health plan provider to send you this information. They probably mailed it to you in September. So again, Medicare did not actually mail it to you, rather it came directly from your plan provider. It will tell you what is happening with your plan in the following year. This allows you to review any changes to decide whether the plan will continue to meet your needs in the next year. I also send my customers a letter to help point out any change that I feel are important in their plans. I wait until October to mail these letters in order to keep in compliance with Medicare’s rules.

Medicare also sent you something that looks like a magazine. This is called “Medicare and You.” This booklet explains the parts of Medicare, Advantage and Supplement options, drug coverage and more. You can review the 2022 booklet online at: Medicare and You Handbook 2022

10/05/2021

Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) is here!

First the bad news; you will have to put up with more commercials, phone calls and paraphernalia regarding Medicare Advantage Plans. This has reached an annoying fever pitch in recent years. My best advice is to be careful. Some companies enticing you to call them are not even insurance companies, there are marketing companies collecting your information to sell to insurance salespeople. Your best defense is to find your own salesman, one person that you can go to time and time again throughout the year for help when you need it.

Now the good news. You can change your plan for 2022 during AEP. AEP runs from October 15 through December 7th.

Even better news. Current Medicare Advantage Plans renew automatically. If you are happy with your current plan, do nothing, you are covered in 2022. With that in mind, if you receive a call telling you that you must recertify, be prepared for a possible scam or at least a misleading sales attempt. Your best defense again is a personal relationship with a salesman.

Feel free to call, text, or email me at 803-634-7855 or [email protected].

09/10/2021

Medicare Advantage Plan Review

Let’s review your current Medicare Advantage Plan. Ask yourself the following questions. The more times you answer yes, the more likely you are in the right plan. If you feel that your plan is not working well for you, we need to talk. Call me at: 803-634-7855 or email me at [email protected].
Remember that you can change your plan during the Annual Election Period that runs from October 15th through December 7th.

Cost. Are you comfortable with the following?
• My monthly plan premium.
• My plan’s deductibles, copays and coinsurance amounts.
• My overall out-of-pocket health care costs.
• My plan’s maximum out-of-pocket cost.

Convenience
• My doctor and pharmacy are easy to get to.
• Prescription medication refills are easy to obtain.
• I’m able to receive my prescription refills by mail.
• My plan offers online information and services.
• The amount paperwork I need to do.

Coverage
• My plan covers all the health care services I need.
• My doctors and other health care providers are in my plan’s network.
• My prescription medications are available through my plan.

Satisfaction
• I’m happy with my Medicare Advantage plan.
• I would recommend my plan to family and friends.