Central Ohio Group Insurance Agency Inc

10/09/2026

📢 Important Update for Marketplace Health Insurance Enrollees

If you enroll in an ACA Marketplace health plan with the help of an insurance agent, a new consumer protection measure is coming for 2027 coverage.

Beginning with 2027 enrollments through certain enrollment platforms, you'll be asked to authorize the specific agent assisting with your application before coverage can be submitted. This new requirement from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is designed to help prevent unauthorized enrollments and ensure consumers have full control over who is assisting with their health insurance coverage.

What does this mean for you?
✅ More protection against unauthorized changes to your coverage
✅ Greater transparency throughout the enrollment process
✅ Confidence that your trusted agent is acting on your behalf

If you have questions about your current coverage or upcoming enrollment options, feel free to reach out!

10/08/2026

💡 Medicare Beneficiaries: Watch for a Possible $90 Premium Rebate

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare Part B, you may qualify for a one-time $90 Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate this month. Eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive the payment by direct deposit or check.

A few important things to know:

✅ This rebate is for certain people enrolled in Original Medicare Part B.

✅ If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you are generally NOT eligible for this payment.

✅ This rebate is not the same as a Medicare Part B Giveback benefit offered by some Medicare Advantage plans.

If you're unsure whether you qualify or have questions about your Medicare coverage, reach out to your trusted Medicare advisor.

10/08/2026

Turning 65 can come with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to understanding Medicare.

When Albert reached that milestone, he did what many people do and called an 800 number he saw advertised on television to help him enroll.

After meeting Connor and the team at Central Ohio Group, he had the opportunity to sit down, ask questions, and better understand how his coverage compared with other options that could fit his healthcare needs.

Now, as he gets ready for another annual review, Albert knows he has someone he can turn to when questions come up.

Medicare doesn't have to be something you figure out on your own. Having a trusted person who takes the time to explain your options can bring confidence to an otherwise confusing process.

Thank you, Albert, for sharing your experience with us!

10/08/2026

AVOID FRAUD

Scammers are extra busy this time of year. They may pretend to be from Medicare or an insurance company to try to steal your personal information or even enroll you in a plan without your knowledge.

If you get an unwanted call, just hang up. Uninvited emails or texts? You can ignore those, too.

Agents and brokers who represent Medicare plans NEED your permission before contacting you.

REPORT FRAUD

If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it immediately to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov/fraud. And as always, never give your Medicare Number, Social Security Number, or financial information to anyone you don't know

10/02/2026

Have a Medicare Advantage plan with a Flex Card or extra benefits?

Big changes are coming in 2027.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer valuable extras like over-the-counter allowances, healthy food benefits, transportation, dental, vision, and hearing services. Starting in 2027, new CMS rules will require plans to provide clearer information about these benefits and how they can be used. Plans will also need to ensure Flex Cards only work for approved items and services covered by your specific plan.

What does this mean for you?

✅ More transparency about what benefits are included
✅ Clearer explanations of eligibility requirements and limitations
✅ Better understanding of what Flex Card funds can actually be used for
✅ Fewer surprises at checkout when using supplemental benefit cards

The takeaway: Don't assume all Flex Cards or supplemental benefits work the same way. Make sure you understand exactly what your plan covers and how to access those benefits.

If you have questions about your Medicare Advantage benefits or want to review your options for 2027, we're happy to help!

10/01/2026

Open Enrollment is Here!!!!

Whether you're shopping your Medicare plan, an employer looking for an alternative health insurance plan for your employees, or just an individual looking for an alternative plan for 2027, we're here to help!

As a brokerage, we're here to help and not tied to 1 carrier. We're tied to YOU and what's best for YOU! You come to us and tell us what you're looking for and we use our expertise to make recommendations on what's best for YOU! ALL of our consultations are free and quotes do not commit you to a particular plan.

Here are some important dates to remember as we move through open enrollment season:
->Oct. 1st: first day Medicare agents can begin discussing 2027 plans.
->Oct. 15th: seniors on Medicare Part C (Medicare advantage) & D (drug) plans can make changes for 2027.
->Oct. through Nov.: employer plans with 1/1 renewal dates should receive their renewals and begin shopping plans for 2027.
->Nov. 1st: individuals on marketplace health insurance plans can begin shopping and making changes for 2027.
->Dec. 7th: last day for Medicare enrollees on Part C & D plans to make changes for 2027.
->Dec. 15th: last day for individuals on Marketplace plans to make a change or enroll in a plan for a 1/1/27 effective date. Any changes after this date go into effect 2/1/27.
->Jan. 15th: last day for individuals on Marketplace plans to make a health insurance plan change or enroll in a plan for 2027. Plans begin 2/1/27.

09/30/2026

Have you received this book in the mail?

Many people toss it with all the other junk they receive. But DID YOU KNOW in the back of this book it lists ALL the Medicare advantage (Part C) AND prescription drug (Part D) plans available to you in your state?!??!

While you wait for your agent to finalize your quote, you can peek through some of the other offerings to see if there's one which may be of interest.

DISCLAIMER: advantage plans can verify significantly county by county. While a particular plan may be available in your area, what's listed in this book can be different from the actual plan you're able to enroll in.

All the more reason to use a TRUSTED agent to review the best option for you in your county.

09/25/2026

Why work with a local insurance agency?

Whether you’re an agent or an individual/employer looking for insurance, working with a local agency can mean having access to people who understand the community, provide personal service, and are available when questions about your coverage come up.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing between a local and non-local agency.

09/23/2026

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION: Ohio State and Humana Individual Medicare Advantage plans are NOT in network.

Humana believes some of their Medicare Advantage members received letters saying OSU or the James Cancer were in network. That is false. They did not reach an agreement. Retraction letters should go out soon.

Humana reached an agreement with The Ohio State University ensuring that the Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Center, and OSU affiliated physicians will remain in-network in 2027 and beyond for Humana MEDICAID and GROUP Medicare.

REMINDER: Humana Medicare Supplement enrollees can ignore this announcement as ALL providers and hospitals who take Medicare accept ALL Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UPDATED September 4, 2026) – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Center, and OSU affiliated physicians have reached an agreement to remain in-network for Humana Medicaid and Group Medicare, effective immediately.

09/17/2026

We cannot stress enough the importance of using a trusted broker who can show you ALL your options for this coming open enrollment.

Be prepared for some eye popping increases in 2027.

-->Rates: "ACA insurers requested a median rate increase of 15% for 2027, according to a Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analysis."
-->Benefits: marketplace max out of pockets can go up to $12,000 (ind.) and $24,000 (fam.) for 2027. Current is $10,600 and $21,200.
-->Plans: some health insurance companies are pulling out of the ACA market all together 2027.

ACA insurers requested a median rate increase of 15% for 2027, according to a Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analysis. However, some states are pushing back — while others are abiding by those requests — as they finalize increases. The finalized rates precede open enrollment, beginning Nov. ...