Marcia West, Health Insurance Broker

06/03/2026

TODAY'S MESSAGE FROM MEDICARE.GOV: Someone you don't know calls, emails, or texts you offering free medical equipment or services. What should you do? Hang up. Delete it. Only you and your doctor should decide what care and services are right for you.
Scammers want your Medicare information so they can bill Medicare for services you don't need — like hospice (end-of-life care), home health care, or durable medical equipment (like a brace or cane).
Hospice scams are particularly harmful. If a scammer signs you up for hospice care without your knowledge, you could lose access to your regular Medicare benefits.
Crush Fraud
Remember: Never give out your Medicare Number and don't sign anything for free services — it's a scam. If you think you may have experienced fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report it online at Medicare.gov/fraud.
Sincerely,
The Medicare Team
NOTE: To root out fraud, Medicare has temporarily stopped allowing new home health and hospice agencies from opening. This doesn't affect your care. If you and your doctor decide you need home health or hospice services, you can still get them from existing agencies in your area.

05/27/2026

Are you concerned about your high deductible health insurance plan? Have you considered ancillary plans, such as hospital indemnity, cancer and critical illness? These plans can give you peace of mind at a cost most of us can afford. Message me for a no obligation quote.

05/23/2026

Who can enroll in Medicare outside of Annual or Open Enrollment?

Anyone who:
1. has been on Social Security Disability for 24 months
3. is turning 65 in the next 3-4 months
4. is retiring or moving off their employee group plan
5. has a Medicare Advantage plan and is moving to another county
6. lives in an area that has been declared National Disaster area

04/23/2026

This article was sent to me this morning from United Healthcare. We all know the cost of health insurance can be hard to swallow unless and until we qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Many of us forego coverage but you may have options you're unaware of. That's why you should consult a broker before making decisions that can be devastating.

Here are the facts

Emergency healthcare can be expensive, even for a single visit - The average ER visit in the U.S. costs approximately $2,700, and charges commonly exceed $3,000 depending on the severity of the condition and services provided .These costs can add up when diagnostic testing, imaging, or specialty care are involved.

Hospital care can create unexpected medical bills - The average per-day hospital cost is $3,025, with California ($4,337) the most expensive and Mississippi ($1,425) the least. Even short hospital stays can cost thousands of dollars, while cases involving inpatient care or advanced treatment can result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

Uninsured individuals face a higher risk of medical debt - Research shows that high medical costs often translate into long-term financial strain for uninsured individuals and they are more likely to carry medical debt than those with healthcare coverage.

04/16/2026

Here's an article that just arrived in my inbox. An excellent source of info for Medicare recipients.

Changes in income, marital status, work hours and other life events can exempt enrollees from surcharges.

03/17/2026

https://www.benefitspro.com/2026/03/16/microsoft-joins-ai-health-trend/?kw=Microsoft%20joins%20AI%20health%20trend&utm_source=email&utm_medium=enl&utm_campaign=newsroomupdate&utm_content=20260317&utm_term=bpro&user_id=6db40f0fadc1f43179daac7f2d00a5f16e044a82c87d56ad3d6bd3d05ed8e1c6

Microsoft is making Copilot Health available through a phased rollout with a waiting list for enrollment.

02/24/2026

Are you covered for the unexpected? You have health insurance or a Medicare policy. Maybe you have life and disability. The small expenses like hospital copays, ambulance, skilled nursing care or prescription deductibles can add up. Coverage for these expenses is easily affordable for most of us and will give you peace of mind should the unexpected happen. If you already have a broker, reach out to them for a quote. IM me if you have questions or would like a quote. Twenty minutes of time doesn't cost you anything.

02/02/2026

To all my North Fulton friends: Who would like to have a bonafide 12 join you for Super Bowl Sunday? I make an awesome plate of nachos and my guacamole is the best this side of the Rio Grande. No Patriots fans please.

01/06/2026

Shocking news! Malnutrition has gained focus as the fastest growing cause of death in America, particularly among older Americans. Here's link to the full story.

Curated by Smartbrief. Malnutrition has become the fastest-growing cause of death in America, with a sixfold increase over the past decade, according to a Washington Post analysis of CDC data. This rise is notably higher among Americans ages 85 and older. Experts like Uche Akobundu from Meals...