The Garritillo Agency

10/04/2024

Happy Fall 🍂

We're a few days into the Annual Election Period. Companies have sent out their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letting you know changes in your plan for 2025 (THERE ARE MAJOR CHANGES). I'll be reaching out to ALL my clients to go over things in the next few weeks, I've received quite a few calls and am looking forward to talking with everyone I haven't spoken to lately.

10/15/2023

Happy Fall Everyone!!! The Annual Election Period is upon us!!! Companies have sent out their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letting you know changes in your plan for 2024. I'll be reaching out to ALL my clients to go over things the next few weeks, I've gotten quite a few calls already and am looking forward to talking with everyone I haven't spoken to lately!!!

09/27/2022

Just a few days from the Annual Election Period and I am excited to speak with all my clients in the coming weeks!!! In case you may have heard, there are changes to a CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services) rule that was originally intended for all the soulless call centers that fish for your call with incessant commercials, print ads, piles of junk mail etc... The new rule starts with a disclaimer that must be said immediately, it will require me to not only record our conversations but also store that for 10 years. There is pushback by many different groups to not add independent agents such as myself and to be exempt but there is no clear guidance yet. I am in meetings to get final determinations in the next few days. What does that mean for my clients...well EVERYONE on Medicare actually. Stay tuned!!!

09/12/2022

Please read and help if you can. ESPECIALLY IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS ON MEDICARE!!! New rules are meant to protect folks from the bombardment of calls they should never get but, do from unscrupulous telemarketing agencies. This rule will have unintended consequences if implemented as is. MANY independent agents, like me, do not have the ability to comply with this rule and will not be able to assist Medicare beneficiaries as we have in the past. Contact me if you have questions.

In less than a month, the new Medicare marketing rule is set to go in effect. Despite repeated comments and inquiries by NAHU, CMS has yet to delay the rule or to provide guidance on its implementation. The new requirements created by this rule will add an additional burden to licensed and certified agents attempting to assist Medicare beneficiaries when choosing a suitable health and drug plan. NAHU urges you to contact your member of Congress to request that CMS implement a delay of six to 12 months, during which CMS will work with stakeholders to develop marketing regulations that will protect beneficiaries while allowing them access to their trusted licensed independent agent or broker.

Act now by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3czYrs5

01/31/2022

Be careful what you share online...

Taken some of those social media quizzes lately? You could be giving away more information than you intend. Here's why it's dangerous.

11/15/2021

Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $170.10 for 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021. Makes that 5.9% Social Security increase seem small.

Medicare Part B covers numerous items, including doctor visits and lab tests.

10/16/2021

Busy time of year for scammers, remember Medicare will not call you, Social Security will not call you. Protect yourself by not talking to folks who cold call too. Talk to YOUR agent and if you don't have one I can certainly help.

Open enrollment has started for Medicare health plans, and scammers are out in full force. Here's how you can avoid falling victim.

09/30/2021

A raise may be coming but will it help?

Social Security recipients are expected to get a large increase in benefits next year.

09/23/2021

Happy Fall Everyone!!! It's been another weird year but the Annual Election Period is almost upon us and companies are starting to send out their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letting you know changes in your plan for 2022. I'll be reaching out to ALL my clients to go over everything over the next few weeks, I've gotten quite a few calls already and am looking forward to talking with everyone I haven't spoken to lately!!!

03/30/2021

When you tell your clients you are there for them, you be there for them.

12/04/2020

Last 4 days of the Medicare Annual Election period there is still time to check with me to be assured you have the plan that fits you...

11/30/2020

We are having problems receiving and making calls from our cell phones.

We can text with no problem or if you need us please call our fax line, which can be used for voice calls.

315-677-8217

Hopefully we get it figured out tomorrow. Sorry for any inconvenience.