Pelican Benefits Group

09/05/2026

We've covered a lot about this Part D news over the last few weeks, the subsidy, the $2,400 cap, the formulary risk, the real timeline. If it's starting to feel like a lot all together, let's bring it back down to one simple thing.

When your Annual Notice of Change arrives in September, open it. Check that your medications are still covered the way they are now, and note your new premium. That's really it. You don't need to become an expert or solve anything today, you just need to do that one thing when it lands in your mailbox.

If anything on it looks off, confusing, or worse than expected, that's the moment to reach out, not January. If you want a second pair of eyes on your plan once those numbers are out this fall, that's genuinely what I do all day. Send me a message or comment "REVIEW" and I'll make sure you're one of the first people I help compare options.

And if you've been following this whole series and still want the full plain-English guide pulling it all together, comment "PART D" and I'll get it to you.



We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

I made a simple guide that walks through this whole timeline, plus exactly what to check once your numbers show up, comment "PART D" if you want it now so it's ready when you need it.

Here's the thing about this Part D news. Nothing changes today, so it's easy to tell yourself you'll deal with it later. But later has a real deadline, and I want to walk you through it so it doesn't sneak up on you.

Your Annual Notice of Change arrives mid to late September. That's when you'll finally see real numbers for your specific plan. Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, about eight weeks. If you wait until the first week of December to start comparing plans, you're rushing a decision that affects your coverage for the entire next year, and every phone line and licensed agent gets slammed right at that deadline.

The real move is simple. Mark September on your calendar. That's when this actually becomes worth your time, not before there's real information, and not after your options have narrowed.

When do you usually start looking at your Medicare options each year, right when the notice arrives, or closer to the deadline? Curious what most people actually do, drop it in the comments.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

09/03/2026

CMS put out a statement saying most people on Part D will see their premium go up less than $10 next year. Here's what I'm actually telling my clients, because the full picture is a little more nuanced than that.

According to the administration's own internal numbers, here's the real breakdown for 2027. About 25% of people on standalone Part D plans will see their premium stay flat or go down. About 30% will see an increase under $10. And about 45% will see an increase somewhere between $11 and $20 a month. So "most people pay less than $10 more" is technically true for a little over half of people, but it leaves out a big chunk who'll see more than that. I laid out the actual numbers side by side in the guide I made, comment "PART D" if you want to see them for yourself.

None of this means panic! It just means I'd rather you have the real range going in than a smoothed over version, especially since your final number depends entirely on your specific plan, which we won't know until September.

Did that 45% number surprise you? Comment and let me know, I'm curious how far off it is from what people expected!

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

09/02/2026

If you're on a fixed income and Part D headlines make your stomach drop a little harder than they do for everyone else, you're not overreacting. That reaction makes complete sense. When every dollar already has a job, even a small, uncertain change feels a lot bigger than it would otherwise.

I'm not going to tell you not to worry, because that's easy for me to say and hard for you to actually do. What I can tell you is what's still solid ground. Your $2,400 out of pocket cap isn't changing. If you qualify for Extra Help, this news doesn't touch that program at all. And nothing about your specific plan changes before you get real numbers this September and a full chance to compare your options.

That's actually part of why I put together a plain-English guide on this, so you have real numbers to plan around instead of just guessing and worrying. Comment "PART D" and I'll send it over.

How are you actually feeling about this news? Be honest with me in the comments! I'd rather know what's specifically worrying you so I can actually help with that, instead of guessing.


We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

09/02/2026

Today was a big day for my girl — braces day!

She was excited, nervous, scared… and so very brave.

At only 8 years old, she’s already learned that sometimes people say things that hurt. She’s been teased about her weight and her teeth — words no child should have to carry.

As parents, we have such an important job. We have to teach our children that words matter, kindness matters, and you never know what someone else may be carrying.

I can’t wait to see her before-and-after pictures one day, but even more than that, I can’t wait to see how much she grows in the “in-between.” Not just her smile, but her confidence, her strength, and the beautiful heart she already has.

Life may knock her down from time to time, but I’ll be right beside her teaching her how to get back up, dust herself off, and keep going.

Because as her mom, my job isn’t to make sure nothing ever hurts her. My job is to raise a daughter who knows her worth, chooses kindness, and knows she is strong enough to get back up.
And because I’m an insurance broker, I have to add one little insurance tip. 😉 Don’t overlook the value of a stand-alone dental plan. Our dental plan includes an orthodontic benefit, which helped offset the cost of her braces by $1,000. When you’re looking at the overall cost of orthodontic treatment, every little bit helps!

Sometimes the benefits of having the right coverage don’t become obvious until you actually need them.
Here’s to a new smile and an even stronger girl behind it. 🥹🦷💕

09/01/2026

Happy, Happy Birthday to our friends born in September! We hope your day is filled with lots of LOVE and LAUGHTER!

📌Remember to those turning 65 in December, September is the start of your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare. We will take all the hassle out of the enrollment process for you. Give us a call at 985-333-8188.

Stay connected for insights, updates and guidance on healthcare. Follow@pelicanbenefitsgrp



We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

08/31/2026

August went fast. It always does.

But here is what I want you to know going into September.

This is the month that matters most if you are on Medicare. Not October. September. Because September is when you still have time to think, ask questions, and make decisions without a deadline making everything feel urgent.

The Annual Enrollment Period opens October 15th. And the people who walk into it feeling calm and prepared are the ones who used September wisely.

That is exactly what I am going to help you do this month.

I am going to be showing up here all September with my sweet tea and everything I know about making AEP feel less overwhelming and a whole lot more manageable.

September starts tomorrow. I am so glad you are here for it.

What was the best part of your August? Drop it below!

08/31/2026

This one is so easy to assume. And so important to verify.

Just because you've had a doctor for years does not automatically mean they accept Medicare. Or that they accept your specific Medicare plan.

There are actually three categories to know about.

Participating providers accept Medicare and agree to the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. This is what you want.

Non-participating providers accept Medicare but haven't agreed to the approved amount. They can charge you up to 15% more than the Medicare rate. That's called an excess charge.

Opt-out providers have completely opted out of Medicare. If you see one of these doctors, Medicare pays nothing. You're on the hook for the entire bill.

I've had so many conversations here in that start with "I just assumed my doctor took my plan." Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. And finding out at the front desk when you're already there is not a fun moment.

I always tell people here in Houma, before you finalize any Medicare plan, let's check your doctors first. It takes about five minutes and it can save you a really unpleasant surprise.

Before you lock in any plan, check your doctors. Every single one you care about.

🤔 Not sure how to check?

DM me the word DOCTORS and I'll walk you through it step by step.



We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.