Phipps Insurance Agency

11/26/2025

Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday! The office will be closed Thursday and Friday.

08/12/2025

Update: We are happy to report that our email system is completely back on line as of this morning, Wednesday, August 13th. Again, thanks so much for your patience!

Just a heads up that our email system has been out for most of the day today. The issue has been fixed, but it could take up to 72 hours to completely resolve. Please reach out by phone or text if you are having trouble getting through. Thank you for your patience!

06/04/2025

I'm thrilled to share that I have officially become a Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®)! With this specialized training, I can now help individuals and families optimize their Social Security benefits and make informed retirement decisions. If you or someone you know has questions about Social Security strategies, let's connect! Click here to learn more https://rssa.com/analyst/joanna-phipps/.

Determining when to claim your Social Security benefits can be challenging. Joanna Phipps will help you navigate these pitfalls and answer questions you don’t know to ask.

12/03/2024

Today is my last day at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan table at the Knapp’s Corner Meijer. I am here until 3:00pm if you would like to come and chat about health insurance. The Medicare AEP ends Saturday!

11/26/2024

It’s a busy day here at Meijer. LOTS of people shopping for Thanksgiving! There’s barely two weeks left of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Don’t forget to check up on your 2025 Medicare coverage by December 7th! I am here today until 3:00pm, and then again next Tuesday, December 3rd, from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

11/05/2024

I’m at the Knapp Corner Meijer again today. Only four more Tuesdays left to find me here. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7th!

10/22/2024

Back at Meijer today for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. We have new goodies to give away. Stop and say hi if you’re here! I’ll be here from 11:00 am to 3:00pm.

10/15/2024

It’s the first day of AEP! Hanging out at the Grand Rapids Knapp’s Corner Meijer on behalf of Blue Cross today. I will be here every Tuesday during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Stop by and say hi!

10/08/2024

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is almost here! October 15th through December 7th is when you are able to make changes to your plans for the upcoming year, if desired.

There are significant changes coming in 2025 to Medicare Part D Prescription Drug benefits due to the Inflation Reduction Act. Some of the positive changes are –

• There will only be three stages (instead of 4) with the elimination of the coverage gap, otherwise known as the donut hole – the Annual Deductible stage, the Initial Coverage stage, and the Catastrophic Coverage stage. You should know that your insurance company will be responsible for 60 percent, the drug manufacturer 20 percent, and Medicare 20 percent of the cost of your prescriptions in the catastrophic stage.
• The maximum out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions is changing from $8,000 per year in 2024 down to $2,000 per year in 2025. Once you reach your maximum out-of-pocket costs, you will pay $0 for your Part D prescriptions for the remainder of the calendar year.
• The introduction of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which will allow a beneficiary to enroll in a monthly payment plan and receive a bill from their insurance company instead of paying at the pharmacy.

These significant changes could also result in some not so positive changes, for example, increases to prescription deductibles and premiums, changes to plan formularies, as well as a reduction in extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing on Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans. You will want to know for sure how your plan is changing.

While it’s always a good idea to carefully review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), it is imperative this year. I would also highly recommend reaching out to your independent health insurance agent who specializes in Medicare to review your options for 2025. The plan you are in now might not be the best one for next year. There is never any cost to work with an independent agent or to get their advice or their help with an enrollment.

If you do not have an independent agent, I would be happy to help you review your options. Please reach out by phone, email, or via the website. Happy Fall!

Call now to connect with business.

09/21/2024

It’s hard to believe that we are fast approaching the end of September! For independent Medicare agents this is the end of a long 3-month annual certification process that we go through in order to help you understand not only how Medicare works, but also the new year’s plan details for each insurance carrier we are appointed with. This year I am appointed with at least 15 carriers that offer Medicare plans in the state of Michigan. I am also licensed in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It is a lot of studying and testing!

It is always interesting to see how the Medicare program evolves each year – and there are significant changes for 2025 – as well as how the various insurance carriers adjust their benefit structures in response. If ever there was a year to seek out professional advice regarding Medicare plan options, it is this year.

It costs nothing to work with an independent agent, and there is no obligation to take their advice. However, it is the goal of a good agent to make sure that you are in the plan that most suits your personal needs and budget, resulting in a happy and satisfied client!

If you do not have an independent agent, I would be happy to help you review your options. Start with this link https://app.agencybloc.com/salesEnablement/appointments/phippsinsagency/MedicareReview to schedule an appointment. Please be sure to fill out the short survey that is linked on the appointment confirmation page. Help me help you by filling it out as completely as possible.

You can also call, or email me at [email protected].

Call now to connect with business.

07/11/2024

I am excited to share that my new website is up and running! I am grateful to GreenCup Digital for their thorough work and gentle hand holding. They created a beautiful tool that will help people know what I do and how to get in touch with me.

Please share with your friends, family, or clients who need help navigating health and life insurance in the individual or small group market. Check it out! www.phippsinsuranceagency.com

07/03/2024

Closed for the holiday July4th and July 5th. Wishing you a joyful Independence Day!