Dirks Insurance Group, LLC

09/29/2026

💥 Open Enrollment is right around the corner! 💥

If you have a Medicare plan, watch your mail for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This important document outlines any changes to your current plan for 2027, including benefits, costs, coverage, and more.

Take a few minutes to review it carefully. If you’re happy with your coverage and your plan continues to meet your needs, you may not need to make any changes. If you see changes you have questions about or would like to explore other options, our team at Dirks Insurance Group is here to help.

If you have an Individual plan and are enrolled through Your Health Idaho (YHI) and receive an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC), please make sure you are able to log in to your YHI account.

You will also need to review and resubmit your application after verifying that all of your information is correct, including your estimated household income for 2027. Keeping this information up to date is important to ensure your eligibility and premium tax credit are calculated correctly for 2027.

Beginning October 1, you can use Anonymous Browsing to review the health plans and rates available for 2027.

🗓 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7

🗓 Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 15

Watch for your plan information, review your coverage, and contact our office if you need assistance making changes for 2027.

📞 (208) 664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com
Trusted, experienced, and local.

08/28/2026

👋 Meet the People Behind Dirks Insurance Group

Insurance is about more than policies—it’s about the people you trust when life changes. Over the past several weeks, we’ve enjoyed introducing you to the dedicated team members who are here to answer your questions, provide honest guidance, and help you make confident insurance decisions.

This week, we’re wrapping up our Meet the Team series with Brianne Dirks, Business Manager.

A North Idaho native with over 20 years of management experience, Brianne helps keep things organized and running smoothly behind the scenes at Dirks Insurance Group. She enjoys supporting our team and helping ensure our clients receive the exceptional service and care they deserve.

Insurance runs in the family—Brianne’s mother, Annette Hill, was a longtime insurance agent, and her husband, Mike, is the founder of Dirks Insurance Group.

A few fun facts about Brianne:
⛪ Her faith and family are the biggest blessings in her life.
🍞 She loves gardening, growing berries, trying new recipes, and baking homemade bread.
🌅 Her happy place is the lake—boating, sunsets, and time with family and friends.
🍬 She tries to eat pretty healthy but can’t resist gummy bears, licorice, and sour patch kids.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know the people behind Dirks Insurance Group! We’re grateful for our team and thankful for the opportunity to serve individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Idaho.

Have questions about Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits? We’d love to help!

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

08/26/2026

🚨 YOUR HEALTH IDAHO CLIENTS: ACTION REQUIRED 🚨

Your Health Idaho (YHI) is moving to a new platform called Everest beginning September 1, 2026.

As part of this change, all YHI customers will need to activate their account on the new platform and create a new password. This is required and is not optional.

📧 Watch your email for instructions from Your Health Idaho beginning September 1.

After activating your account, you will need to log in and:

✅Review your contact information
✅Review your household information
✅Confirm your estimated annual household income for 2027

Please do not ignore this email or skip this step. Incorrect or outdated information could affect your 2027 premium tax credits and the amount you pay each month for your health insurance.

Having trouble activating your account, creating your password, or accessing the new platform? Call Dirks Insurance Group at 208-664-9272, and we will be happy to help.

🗓Reminder: Open Enrollment for Individuals Under 65 is October 15 to December 15, 2026.

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

08/20/2026

👋 Meet the People Behind Dirks Insurance Group

Insurance is about more than policies—it’s about the people you trust to help you understand your options and make confident decisions.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing you to the team members who are here to answer your questions, provide honest guidance, and help make insurance a little easier to navigate.

This week, we’d like you to meet Kristi Engleson, Receptionist.

As one of the first friendly faces you’ll see when you visit our office—and often the first voice you’ll hear when you call—Kristi helps keep things running smoothly at Dirks Insurance Group. She enjoys greeting clients, answering questions, assisting our agents, and making sure everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome.

Kristi lives by Victor Borge’s quote, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people,” and she hopes everyone who visits our office leaves with a smile.

A few fun facts about Kristi:

⚽ Kristi enjoys watching sporting events and hopes to someday understand soccer!

🎃 She grows sugar pumpkins in her garden to make homemade pumpkin pies.

🔎 She’s a fan of “whodunit” shows and podcasts.

🍰 And if pumpkin pie isn’t available, her favorite dessert is yellow cake with chocolate frosting in a bowl of milk!

We’re grateful to have Kristi as part of the Dirks Insurance Group team and appreciate the warmth, positivity, and friendly smile she brings to our office and our clients each day.

Have questions about Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits? Kristi will be happy to connect you with someone on our team who can help!

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

08/12/2026

👋 Meet the People Behind Dirks Insurance Group

Insurance is about more than policies—it's about having someone you can trust when questions come up and important decisions need to be made.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing you to the team members who are here to answer your questions, provide honest guidance, and help make insurance a little easier to navigate.

This week, we’d like you to meet Isaac Kamara, Licensed Agent.

A lifelong Coeur d’Alene resident and University of Idaho graduate, Isaac has deep roots in North Idaho. He knows that with so many insurance options available, finding the right coverage can sometimes feel overwhelming. Isaac enjoys simplifying the process, helping his clients understand their choices and find coverage that fits their needs and budget.

A few fun facts about Isaac:

💍 Insurance isn’t Isaac’s only connection to the Dirks family—he is the nephew of Mike and Brianne, and he was even the ring bearer at their wedding!

⛷️ A lifelong Idahoan, Isaac has been downhill skiing since he was just 3 years old.

🏅 He has enjoyed giving back to his community by coaching youth sports.

🎣 When he’s not helping clients, Isaac loves fishing and spending time outdoors.

We’re grateful to have Isaac as part of the Dirks Insurance Group team and serving the community he’s called home his entire life.

Have questions about Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits? Isaac and the rest of our team are here to help.

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

08/05/2026

Have you heard that Medicare Part D costs are going up because federal subsidies are ending? Here's what you should know.

You may be seeing headlines about Medicare Part D changes for 2027. While there is some truth behind those stories, the details matter.

A temporary federal program that helped stabilize Part D insurance premiums is ending after 2026. Those payments were made to participating Medicare Part D insurance plans—not directly to Medicare beneficiaries—to help insurers adjust to recent changes in the Part D program.

What does this mean for you?

✔ Some standalone Part D plan premiums may increase in 2027.

✔ It does not automatically mean your prescription medications will cost more.

✔ Medicare's annual Part D out-of-pocket spending limit remains in place, helping protect beneficiaries from catastrophic drug costs.

The reality is that no one knows exactly what every 2027 Part D plan will look like yet. Insurance companies are still finalizing their plans, and CMS is reviewing them before they are released later this year.

That's why Annual Enrollment is so important.

Every year brings changes, and the best plan for you this year may not be the best one next year.

At Dirks Insurance Group, we'll compare your medications, pharmacies, and available plans to help you choose coverage that fits your needs.

Questions about your Medicare coverage?
We're happy to help.
📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

07/31/2026

👋 Meet the People Behind Dirks Insurance Group

Insurance is about more than policies—it's about having someone you can trust when questions come up and important decisions need to be made.

Over the next several weeks, we're introducing the dedicated team members who are here to provide honest guidance, answer your questions, and help you find coverage that fits your needs.

This week, we'd like you to meet Scott Ramirez, Licensed Agent.

Scott has been helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate their insurance options since joining Dirks Insurance Group in 2019. Whether you're exploring Medicare, individual or family health insurance, or employee benefits, Scott takes the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and help you feel confident in your decisions.

A few fun facts about Scott:

👮 Retired Deputy Sheriff from Ventura County, California.

👨‍👩‍👧 Spending time with family, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors are some of his favorite ways to recharge.

🛻 He enjoys classic pickup trucks and occasionally works on his own.

🥃 Scott appreciates great company, conversation, and an occasional glass of fine wh***ey.

We're grateful to have Scott serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Idaho with integrity, knowledge, and genuine care.

Have questions about Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits?

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

07/23/2026

👋 Meet the People Behind Dirks Insurance Group

Insurance is about more than policies—it's about the people you trust when life changes. Over the next several weeks, we're introducing the dedicated team members who are here to answer your questions, provide honest guidance, and help you make confident insurance decisions.

This week, we'd like you to meet Mike Dirks, Founder & Licensed Agent.

Mike enjoys helping individuals, families, and business owners find insurance solutions that fit their needs and budget. Whether you're exploring Medicare, individual or family health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits, Mike believes every client deserves honest advice, personalized guidance, and exceptional service.

A few fun facts about Mike:
⛪ Mike is a Christ follower and enjoys serving in his local church.
🏕 His favorite weekends are spent camping by the lake with his family.
🏹 Mike recently took up bow hunting and enjoys learning the sport.
🍒 His favorite ice cream is Tillamook Oregon Dark Cherry.

We're grateful to have Mike leading our team and serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Idaho.

Have questions about Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, or employee benefits? We'd love to help!

📞 208-664-9272
🌐 DirksInsurance.com

07/04/2026

06/18/2026

📌 Medicare Myth vs. Fact

❌ MYTH: Medicare is free.

✅ FACT: While many people qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A because they paid Medicare taxes during their working years, Medicare is not completely free.

Most beneficiaries pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. The amount depends on income and can change from year to year.

If you're receiving Social Security benefits, your Part B premium is typically deducted automatically from your monthly benefit payment. If you're not yet collecting Social Security, Medicare will generally send you a bill for your premium.

Understanding Medicare costs before you enroll can help you avoid surprises and make informed decisions about your coverage.

💬 Before learning about Medicare, what was the biggest misconception you had about it?

📞 Have questions? We're happy to help.

Dirks Insurance Group
208-664-9272