Craig-Howard Insurance

06/03/2026

🧠 June is Alzheimer's & Brain Health Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million Americans, and Medicare gives you some good tools to support it.

✅ Your yearly Medicare "Wellness" visit includes a no-cost cognitive check-in to screen for early signs of memory or cognitive issues. ✅ If your provider notices anything, Medicare also covers a separate, more in-depth cognitive care planning visit. ✅ Caregivers are welcome to attend these visits, ask questions, and help build a care plan together.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early diagnosis can open the door to better treatment and support options. So don’t put it off. 💛 This June, consider scheduling your wellness visit and starting an open conversation with your loved ones about brain health.

Questions about what your Medicare plan covers? Send us a message anytime. 💬

06/01/2026

As the weather gets warmer and summer vacations near, take a moment to read this week's blog post with 8 tips for a healthy summer vacation!

Safe Travel Starts at Home Travel is one of life’s greatest joys. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or a long-awaited international adventure, the excitement of setting off somewhere new is hard to beat. But the best trips are the ones where the surprises are good ones. A little prepar...

05/30/2026

If you’re looking for something fun to do on Sunday, we might recommend going and checking out Boise Corgi Fest 

05/29/2026

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy ingredients that only show up for a short window—and green garlic is one of them. 🌿 If you’ve never cooked with it before, think of it as a milder, slightly sweeter version of regular garlic that adds incredible depth without overpowering a dish.

This Green Garlic & Potato Soup is simple, comforting, and perfect for those in-between spring days when you want something warm but not too heavy.

Ingredients:

2–3 stalks green garlic (chopped)
1 leek (cleaned and sliced)
3–4 Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and diced)
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: fresh herbs (parsley or chives)

Directions:

Heat olive oil or butter in a pot over medium heat.
Add green garlic and leek; sauté until soft and fragrant.
Add potatoes and broth; bring to a boil, then simmer 15–20 minutes until tender.
Blend until smooth (or leave slightly chunky if preferred).
Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

Serve with crusty bread and a drizzle of olive oil for a simple, seasonal meal. 🍲

Looking for more fresh, approachable recipes? Reach out—we’re always happy to share ideas that make life a little easier (and tastier).

05/27/2026

Graduation season is a milestone—not just for your child, but for you, too. 🎓

After years of busy schedules and daily routines as a family, the house can suddenly feel very quiet. Becoming an empty nester brings a mix of emotions: pride, excitement, uncertainty… and a real sense of loss. All of that is completely normal.

But this transition isn’t just an ending, it’s also a beginning. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, strengthen relationships, and explore goals that may have taken a back seat over the years. At the same time, your role as a parent evolves, from guiding every step to becoming a steady source of support (and hopefully wisdom) as your child navigates their own path.

This season of life holds new opportunities for growth, connection, and purpose… for both of you. Good luck!

➡️Do you have a child heading off to college, a new job, another big adventure? Please share your story. We’d love to hear about it!

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice makes the freedoms we enjoy today possible.

As we gather with family and friends for the long weekend, we hope your day is filled with gratitude, reflection, and meaningful connection with loved ones.

Happy Memorial Day!

05/22/2026

Medicare & CBD: What’s Real vs. What’s Still Unclear

You may be hearing that Medicare is now covering CBD, but the reality is far more nuanced.

Here’s what we know:
✔ A very limited Medicare pilot program launched in April 2026
✔ It allows certain providers to offer some very limited types of hemp-derived CBD products to eligible patients, if they are aligned to a program authorized by CMS to provide the limited CBD benefit
✔ Coverage is very limited—not all beneficiaries qualify
✔ You can’t purchase CBD on your own and get reimbursed

What’s still up in the air:
❓ Who will actually have access (depends on participating providers)
❓ How widely the program will expand
❓ Ongoing legal and regulatory challenges
❓ Whether this could lead to broader Medicare coverage in the future

This is an early-stage pilot and research program, not a standard Medicare benefit. While it’s a step toward exploring CBD in healthcare, access remains limited and the future is still uncertain.

Want to know if you can participate? Start by talking to your doctor or healthcare plan provider—they’re the gatekeepers for this pilot. If they’re not involved, the program likely isn’t accessible to you (at least for now).

05/20/2026

Most people think life insurance rates come down to age and smoking, but that’s only part of the story.

Insurers are really looking at patterns: your health, habits, and overall lifestyle. They look at factors like medical history, lifestyle habits, mobility issues, driving record, dangerous hobbies, and even occupational risk.

The surprising part? Many of these factors may have limited impact on their own, but together they shape how insurers view your long-term health and stability.

✅The good news: Many of the biggest factors are within your control. In addition, different insurers weigh risk factors differently.

❓Want to understand what may be affecting your rates? Let’s talk and find an insurance option that is right for you.

05/15/2026

Still using the same info from when you enrolled in your ACA plan?

That could cost you.💰

If you have an ACA Marketplace plan, updating your income and household info isn’t just a formality. It can impact what you pay every month and at tax time.

✔ Got a raise? You could owe money back later if it’s not updated
✔ Income dropped? You might qualify for more savings
✔ New baby, marriage, or move? Your healthcare options may need to change, and you could qualify for a special enrollment period

Keeping your ACA Marketplace information up to date is important. It helps you avoid surprises and make sure you’re getting the right coverage at the right price.

Have questions on what needs to be updated or how to update your Marketplace profile? We are here to help!

05/13/2026

Last month's office event was at Treasure Valley Escape Rooms! The second escape room we did together and definitely the most difficult so far. So many puzzles in such an immersive space! We would definitely recommend it for anyone wanting air-conditioned fun during spring and summer!