Pinnacle United LLC

09/05/2026

🗓️ Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is almost here!

Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and now is the time to start getting ready.

✅ Review your current coverage and top providers
✅ Gather your medication list
✅ Watch for your Annual Notice of Changes in the mail this month. It outlines what's changing in your plan for 2027.

📝 The more organized you are now, the easier it is to make confident choices once enrollment opens.

Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, it’s important to review it each year. Costs, drug formularies, provider networks, pharmacy networks and benefits can change.

🗓️ Schedule a review with our team starting October 1. Appointments fill quickly!

09/04/2026

📬 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!

09/04/2026

Reminder for employers: if you offer prescription drug coverage, you're required to send Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage notices to Medicare-eligible employees and their dependents by October 15, ahead of Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period.

These notices let recipients know whether your plan's drug coverage is as good as or better than Medicare's, information they need to avoid a late enrollment penalty. We're here to help. Let's make sure your notices are ready to go out on time.

09/03/2026

Mark your calendar: Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period is coming up on October 15. Now is the time to start thinking about whether your current coverage still fits your needs. Get a head start and reach out today to schedule a free Medicare review session with us, starting October 1. Slots fill up fast!

09/02/2026

If someone calls and already knows your name, your age, and your address, that does not make them legitimate. Criminals often start with information they already have and only need one more piece from you.

Medicare-related scam calls have climbed sharply over the past year. Some people report getting dozens in a single day. The pitches are predictable once you know them. Your card is expiring. You qualify for unclaimed benefits. A free brace or hearing aid is on the way.

They all want the same thing: your Medicare number.

A few things to remember: Medicare generally contacts you by mail first and does not call to ask for your Medicare number or bank information. A real licensed agent will give you their name and license number without hesitation, and will not push you to decide today.

If someone claims to be from an agency, hang up and call that agency's main number yourself. Anyone honest will not mind.

What is the strangest scam call you have received? Share it below so your neighbors know what to listen for.

Not sure whether a call you got was real? Call our office and we will tell you. 📞

09/01/2026

How to Get Financial Help for Medicare

Struggling with Medicare costs? Learn about Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, and other programs that can lower your premiums and drug costs in 2026.

09/01/2026

Understanding Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)

A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) is a Medicare Advantage plan built around conditions like diabetes or heart failure. See how it works.

08/31/2026

Health care is one of the biggest financial surprises in retirement. Not travel. Not hobbies. Health care.

Medicare helps starting at 65, but it doesn't cover everything. Premiums, deductibles, copays, prescriptions, dental, vision, and hearing aids can all add up.

If you're retiring at 65 or later, Medicare beneficiaries spend about $4,000 a year out of pocket, not counting premiums. That number climbs past $6,000 a year once you reach 85, as health care needs increase.

If you're retiring before 65, budget for a lot more. Without employer coverage, many early retirees turn to the ACA Marketplace, a spouse's plan, or a private policy. A reasonable planning range is:

- $8,000 to $10,000 a year for an individual
- $18,000 to $25,000 a year for a couple

That's before deductibles, copays, and prescriptions, which can add another $2,000 to $5,000 per person each year.

At any retirement age, don't overlook long-term care. Medicare generally covers only short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay. It doesn't pay for ongoing help with things like bathing, dressing, or eating. Those costs can run from $20k - $100k per year.

A few ways to prepare now:

- Build savings in an HSA if you have a qualified high-deductible plan.

- Look into long-term care insurance before health issues develop, when premiums tend to be lower.

- Consider critical illness coverage, which pays a lump sum after a covered diagnosis and can be used however you need it.

Whether you're retiring at 55, 62, 65, or later, health care costs are one of the few expenses that almost always go up. If you'd like help planning for retirement health costs, we're happy to answer your questions.

08/29/2026

Medicare and Skin Cancer Prevention: What Screenings Are Covered?

Learn what Medicare covers for skin cancer screenings, dermatologist visits, biopsies, and treatment, plus tips for prevention and early detection.