Kathy Black - The Assurance Group

12/19/2025

11/19/2025

If you receive this letter it is not from Humana but a scam. First we agents don’t collect money with applications. Second supplements are paid through billing or bank draft not coupon books. I have brought this to Humana’s attention and I hope they find the scammers.

02/27/2025

End of March ends the Medicare period called OEP - Open Election Period. Very few things you can do during Jan 1 - March 31. You can change your Advantage plan, drop Advantage and return to Original Medicare, if you never enrolled in Medicare you can sign up for a June 1 start.

You cannot change your drug plan or enroll in a drug plan unless you qualify for another election period.

Call if you have questions. 580-722-1521

09/05/2024

This COLD CALLING to Medicare recipients has GOT TO STOP!!!
Continually I’m dealing with someone that says “medicare called me.”

This is a disservice to the American people and should be handled more aggressively with disciplinary actions. Better yet, STOP permitting the call centers to randomly call.

PLEASE NOTE: Neither Medicare or Social Security will EVER call you, at random. They mail letters asking you to call them, or specify a time when they will call as detailed in the letter. And NEVER give your Medicare card number to someone who called you. You never know who you are talking to. Ever! (unless it is me asking)

08/26/2024

It is almost time for the Annual Election Period (AEP). The Scope of Appointment form (SOP) needs to be completed 48 hours prior to our meeting. If you are a client of mine, you have received a text or email requesting you to complete this form. It is only for my records, and as the name suggests, it indicates to me the topics you wish to discuss. I can only discuss the items you indicate, so please be complete in marking this form. It comes back to me and per Medicare rules, I am required to keep this form for 10 years. AEP allows me to discuss the upcoming changes and plans as of October 1, and enrollments begin October 15 until midnight on December 7.
Second, all sales telephone calls are to be recorded. Again, these are for my records only, or if I am audited by Medicare. And these recordings are also kept for 10 years.
Upcoming changes to be aware of. Because of the Inflation Reduction Act, as of 2025 no one will spend more than $2000 out of pocket during the year for their medications. Some medications were listed to allow for Medicare to negotiate their costs. Also insulin and some other medications were move to a new Tier 6, where they are not subject to the standard deductible, and the co-share cost does not increase when in the coverage gap.

Big changes to the Prescription Drug plans in addition to the $2000 max out of pocket, you can now spread out your deductible and other co-payments throughout the year. Even if you do not elect this for January, you can still turn it on anytime during the year.

Also many changes will be coming to the Advantage plans. Be sure to take my calls and complete your Scope of Appointment form so we can get you the best coverage.

Call now to connect with business.

08/26/2024

https://www.planenroll.com/learning-center/avoiding-medicare-penalties?purl=Kathy-Black

08/26/2024

check out my new website:

11/15/2023

Been a very busy Annual Election season. If I have not connected with you please understand I am working to get everyone covered for next year. Leave a voice mail and I will call as soon as possible. Dec. 7 midnight is the deadline for drug plans. We have another election period next year for Advantage plans. Thank you for your patience.

09/14/2023

It is almost time for the Annual Election Period (AEP). Couple of changes for this year. One, the Scope of Appointment form (SOP) needs to be completed 48 hours prior to our meeting. If you are a client of mine, you have received a text or email requesting you to complete this form. It is only for my records, and as the name suggests, it indicates to me the topics you wish to discuss. I can only discuss the items you indicate, so please be complete in marking this form. It comes back to me and per Medicare rules, I am required to keep this form for 10 years. AEP allows me to discuss the upcoming changes and plans as of October 1, and enrollments begin October 15 until midnight on December 7.

Second, all sales telephone calls are to be recorded. Again, these are for my records only, or if I am audited by Medicare. And these recordings are also kept for 10 years.

Upcoming changes to be aware of. Because of the Inflation Reduction Act, as of 2025 no one will spend more than $2000 out of pocket during the year for their medications. Some medications were listed to allow for Medicare to negotiate their costs. Also insulin and some other medications were move to a new Tier 6, where they are not subject to the standard deductible, and the co-share cost does not increase when in the coverage gap.

In preparation for this change, the insurance companies are raising their prices for next year on their stand-alone Prescription drug plans (PDP) and I am seeing increases in some of the Advantage plans that include prescriptions (MAPD). For example, one plan that was $5.20 this year is $25/mo next year. Also very few plans will offer Tier 2 at $0 coshare, and many are also not offering Tier 1 at $0 either. So be prepared to pay more in premium and at the pharmacy.

If you are confused and don't have an ethical, informed agent with integrity working for you to save you the most money, please contact me. I will advise you which plans will save you the most money. You cannot just keep the same PDP plan as you have had in the past as the formulary, co-share, premium and pharmacy networks change every year. You need someone to help you navigate this!!

You can trust me to be honest and informational to help you find the best plan.

Kathy Black - The Assurance Group
580-606-2443

04/03/2023

With the busy Medicare seasons behind us, time to think about other just as important insurance products.

When was the last time someone reviewed your life policy? Don’t have one? Call me.

Are you on an advantage plan and don’t have a hospital indemnity plan to cover your copay for a hospital stay? Call me.

Worried about cancer, stroke, dental coverage? Call me.

Seeing your IRA lose money and worried don’t have enough saved for your retirement years? Call me.

I have wonderful solutions for all these issues.

Kathy Black
580-606-2443

12/15/2022

Merry Christmas. I appreciate all the referrals during AEP. It is a crazy time every year. But I enjoy catching up with my clients and meeting new ones.

Two items. Starting Jan 1 is another election period but there are limited options for changes. If you are on an Advantage plan you can drop it and return back to original Medicare and add a standalone prescription drug plan. Or you can change from one Advantage plan to another Advantage plan. But if you are on original Medicare you cannot add an advantage plan during this period.

Secondly, if you have money is an IRA, CD, 401k, or savings there are amazing options to grow your money safely, without risk, and with great interest rates. Not sure how long these rates will be around. Call for more information.

Have blessed holidays.

Kathy Black
580-606-2443

12/07/2022

From a friend’s Facebook post:

Scam Alert for all on Medicare!!!
We just got a call asking if we received our new Medicare cards? I said no. The person then informed me they went out two weeks ago. So, she wanted to confirm information about them. She had enough information that she sounded legit. But she wanted to confirm other information on the card. I told her to give to me, and I would tell her if it was right. She kept pressing. I told her I would just call the SS Office myself, and hung up. I am so glad I did!
I did call the SS Office and IT IS A SCAM.

I have posted this in the past. Never give your Medicare card number to a call you receive unless you know the person you are speaking to (like me for example).