Buursma Agency

07/28/2026

Not all workplace perks are one-size-fits-all anymore! ✨ Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs) are a flexible, employer-funded benefit that let employees use funds for things that actually matter to THEM: wellness, mental health support, financial planning, childcare, and more.

LSAs put more spending choices in employees' hands. Maybe that means covering a few therapy sessions, a financial planning consultation, backup childcare, or a new pair of running shoes. The point is flexibility: everyone's life looks different, and their benefits can too. 💪

For employers, LSAs can be a great way to show employees their wellbeing matters in a practical way, not just on paper.

Employers: have you considered adding an LSA to your benefits lineup? Employees: what would you use yours for? 👇 Tell us in the comments — we'd love to hear!

07/27/2026

📬 Keep an eye on your mailbox this September! If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, you should be receiving your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter by September 30th. This letter explains what's changing with your plan starting January 1st — things like your premium, deductible, drug coverage, which doctors or pharmacies are in network, and how benefit coverage is changing.

It's easy to set this letter aside, but taking a few minutes to read through it can save you from surprises come the new year. And if something in your ANOC catches your attention, remember that Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th through December 7th, giving you time to compare plans and make a change if you need to.

If you have questions about what your ANOC means for you, we're always happy to help walk through it with us and discuss plan options starting October 1. Send us a message or give us a call!

07/21/2026

Remind your team of this important feature of most health plans: they usually cover preventive care for $0! No copay, no coinsurance, and they don't even have to meet their deductible first.

Most plans cover things like:
🩺 Annual checkups and well visits
💉 Flu shots and other vaccines
🩻 Some cancer screenings like mammograms
🩸 Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings

The main catch: Members need to see an in-network provider to get the covered benefit in most cases, and have to make sure their visit is billed as a screening and not a diagnosis.

Want to know what your plan offers your workforce? Send us a message and we'll help you find out.

07/20/2026

If premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs feel like a lot on a fixed income, there are several federal and state programs that may help lower those expenses.

👉 Medicare Savings Programs are available in some areas, and can help cover Part A and Part B costs.
👉 Extra Help is a program that offers assistance to cover prescription drugs.
👉 State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) or can help pay for certain medications in some states. Check the Medicare.gov site for SPAP listings.
👉 Depending on your state and financial situation, Medicaid may help pay for long-term or nursing care.

Many people who qualify never apply, often because they assume they won’t be eligible or they don't know what's available in their state. Want help finding out what you might qualify for? Reach out and we'll walk you through your options. A little assistance can add up to real savings over the year.

07/14/2026

Heads up to employers and HR teams: if your benefit plan runs on a calendar year, Form 5500 is due July 31. Form 5500 is the annual report that many employee benefit plans must file with the Department of Labor. Whether you need to file depends on your plan type and size. For example, welfare plans with 100 or more participants at the start of the plan year generally have to file, while many smaller insured plans are exempt. Need more time? You can request an automatic extension with Form 5558, but it has to be filed by July 31 too. Not sure where you stand? Don't wait until the deadline. Reach out and we'll help you figure out your filing requirements.

07/13/2026

Did you know Medicare handles skin cancer differently than other screenings? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and the risk grows with age. But unlike mammograms or colonoscopies, Medicare generally doesn't cover routine skin cancer screenings if you have no symptoms.

The good news is that Medicare DOES cover the visit (and biopsy and treatment, if applicable) if you notice a change that warrants checking, like a new growth, a mole that's changing, or a sore that won't heal. That makes early detection something you can take into your own hands. Check your skin regularly, watch for the ABCDE warning signs (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving). And for heaven's sake, don't skip sun protection this summer!

👩‍⚕️ Notice something new or changing? Tell your doctor promptly.

Questions about your Medicare coverage? Reach out anytime and we'll help.

07/07/2026

Help Your Employees Avoid the Most Common Enrollment Mistakes

Most employees spend less than 30 minutes choosing their health insurance each year.

That decision affects their health and finances for the next 12 months.

Here's what tends to go wrong, and what employers can do about it:

1) Employees pick the lowest premium without looking at the deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

2) They assume their doctors are in-network.

3) They don't check if their prescriptions are covered.

4) They have no idea an insurance advocate exists to help them.

None of this is their fault. Most employees just don't have the information they need to make a good decision.

That's where employers can make a real difference… Not by choosing for them, but by giving them the tools to choose well.

💡Show them a side-by-side plan comparison of plan options.
💡Walk them through a worst-case cost scenario for each plan type.
💡Tell them how to look up their doctors and their prescriptions before they enroll.
💡Make sure they know your broker or benefits team is available to help, not just during open enrollment, but all year long.

Employees who understand their benefits use them better, stress less, and trust their employer more.

Health benefit selection is a communications opportunity. We can help you use that opportunity well.

07/06/2026

🏠 Smart Home Tech for Seniors: What Helps at Home

The right devices can make life at home safer for older adults — and give family members peace of mind. Here's what helps most:

🤖 Robot vacuums — Keep floors clear of dust and clutter that cause trips and falls, with no bending or heavy lifting.

💡 Motion-sensor night lights — Falls are the #1 injury for older adults, and low light makes it worse. Add lights that switch on automatically to guide the path from bed to bathroom. Cheap and easy to set up.

🚨 Medical alert systems (PERS) — A wearable button, automatic fall detection, or two-way voice device can call for help fast. Some are even built into smartwatches.

💊 Medication reminders — Smart speakers, locking pill dispensers, and reminder apps help you stay on track and can alert a caregiver if a dose is missed.

🔥 Stove shut-offs — Unattended cooking is the top cause of home fires. Devices like FireAvert and iGuard cut power automatically and install in minutes.

So what does Medicare cover? Here's the straight answer:

✅ Original Medicare & Medigap: Do NOT cover these devices.

✅ Medicare Advantage (Part C): Some plans offer extra perks, like help with a medical alert system — but it varies by plan and may cover only part of the cost. Always check plan details before enrolling.

👉 Start with your biggest worry. Worried about falls? Begin with lighting and an alert system. Struggling with prescriptions? A pill dispenser may matter most. You don't need every gadget — one or two that fit your routine can make a real difference.

Questions about your Medicare options? We're here to help. 💙

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July! Today we celebrate the freedoms we share and the community around us. We celebrate the fact that we all belong to something larger, and we all work every day to make our nation a better place. We hope your holiday is full of good food, good company, and the glow of fireworks lighting up the sky. 🎆

Whatever your plans are, take a moment today to slow down, look around, and think about how each of us is a thread in the fabric of this great nation. That's what the day is really about. And if you're traveling or celebrating outdoors, stay safe out there.

Thank you for being part of our community. Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

06/30/2026

How to Have a Safe 4th of July Celebration

Learn simple Fourth of July safety tips to help prevent injuries, fires, and accidents while enjoying fireworks and holiday celebrations.