Insurance Solutions with Nicole Benner

10/02/2026

Have a Medicare Supplement? This one's for you.

You have been hearing a lot about Medicare Advantage changes for 2027, but that doesn't mean people with Medicare Supplements should skip their annual review.

Supplement premiums are increasing for many people and you may be paying more than you need to.

Here's an easy way to understand Medicare Supplements:

Imagine buying the exact same bottle of Tylenol at different stores. The product inside is the same, but Walmart might charge $12, CVS $16 and Publix $20.
You'd probably compare prices before paying $20.

Medicare Supplements work similarly.

A standardized Plan G provides the same Medicare benefits regardless of which insurance company sells it. So when comparing Plan G to Plan G, you're comparing the same standardized benefits but the premiums can be very different.
The same concept applies to other standardized lettered plans.

So if your Medicare Supplement premium has increased, let's price-shop it.

📅 Schedule a Medicare Supplement review: https://link.sbginsurancegroup.com/widget/group/CSiWPkm4nbrSLnhZdmsP

Important: Changing Medicare Supplement companies may require medical underwriting depending on your circumstances. Don't cancel your existing coverage until you've been approved for replacement coverage.

10/01/2026

🚨 BIG 2027 MEDICARE NEWS FOR OUR AREA

If you have a Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, please check your plan for 2027 and please share this with anyone you know who has Humana.

October 1 is here and I can finally talk about the 2027 Medicare changes.

⚠️ HUMANA PPO PLAN TERMINATIONS

Multiple Humana PPO plans offered in our area in 2026 are being discontinued for 2027, including the Humana Full Access Giveback PPO and HumanaChoice Florida PPO.
The Full Access Giveback plan was an especially popular option for many people I worked with last year, in part because of its Part B premium reduction of up to $170 per month.

If you're enrolled in a plan that is being discontinued, don't ignore the notices you're receiving from your insurance company. Your current plan will not simply continue into 2027.

Here are a few other changes I'm watching:

🏥 Sarasota Memorial + Humana
Humana Medicare Advantage will continue to be out of network with Sarasota Memorial for 2027.

🏥 Sarasota Memorial + UnitedHealthcare
UHC has announced that it expects Sarasota Memorial to become out of network effective January 1, 2027.

🏥 Lee Health + UnitedHealthcare
Lee Health will be out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for 2027.

🏥 AdventHealth + UnitedHealthcare
Contract negotiations are ongoing. If a new agreement isn't reached, affected UHC members could lose in-network access to AdventHealth beginning January 1, 2027.

➕ New plans are coming, too!
New Medicare plan options are entering our area for 2027, which means even if your current plan isn't affected by one of these changes, there may be new options worth reviewing.

This is NOT the year to assume your current Medicare plan is still the right fit.

If you live in Charlotte, Sarasota or the surrounding Southwest Florida area, let's review your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions and 2027 options.

If you do not have a local agent, I am here to help! Feel free to PM and ask me any questions.

📅 Schedule your Medicare review: https://link.sbginsurancegroup.com/widget/group/CSiWPkm4nbrSLnhZdmsP

Please share this post with friends or family who may be affected by these changes. They do not need to be an existing client to schedule a review with me.

09/29/2026

🚨 Another big Medicare change for 2027.

Sarasota Memorial has announced that it expects UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans to be out of network beginning January 1, 2027.

This is why working with an independent broker matters. ❤️ I work with multiple insurance carriers so we can compare your options with your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions in mind.

If Sarasota Memorial or First Physicians Group is important to you, reach out to me. Don’t panic or make changes yet,we’ll review your options together. 🌴

📞 941-475-0771

Three years ago, Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group made difficult concessions to remain in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network and protect our patients’ access to care.

But now, as we near the end of that agreement, changes to key provisions are making our continued partnership with UnitedHealthcare unsustainable, and UnitedHealthcare refuses to adequately address these concerns.

Our community deserves fair treatment — SMH is fighting for fair, sustainable terms that protect access to the doctors, hospitals, specialists, treatments and services our community depends on.

Medicare Advantage plans have faced growing scrutiny over policies and practices that delay or deny medically necessary care. Despite efforts to address these concerns, government reports continue to raise serious questions about UnitedHealthcare’s use of prior authorization and other restrictions that create barriers between patients and the care their doctors recommend.

Our agreement with UnitedHealthcare remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, but we expect UnitedHealthcare to remove SMH and FPG from its Medicare Advantage network on Jan. 1, 2027.

Medicare Open Enrollment starts Oct. 15. Beneficiaries should explore all of their options, including the benefits of traditional/original Medicare. Sarasota Memorial and FPG always accept all original Medicare and standard Medicare supplement plans. For more information and future updates, visit: www.smh.com/united

09/14/2026

💊 “But I don't take ANY prescriptions. Why would I need a drug plan?”

This is SUCH a common Medicare question.

And honestly? I understand why people ask it.

If you don't take medications, paying for prescription coverage can feel like paying for something you don't use.

But there's something you need to know BEFORE you decide to skip Part D. 👀
If you go 63 days or more without Medicare prescription drug coverage or other creditable prescription coverage, you may face a Part D late enrollment penalty if you enroll later.

And this isn't necessarily a one-time fee.

💰 The penalty is generally added to your monthly Part D premium for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

The longer you're without creditable coverage, the larger the penalty can become.
Now, this does NOT mean everyone turning 65 automatically needs to run out and buy a separate Part D plan.

You may already have creditable prescription coverage through something like:
✔️ An employer or union
✔️ TRICARE
✔️ VA benefits
✔️ Certain other coverage

That's why the better question isn't:

❌ “Do I take prescriptions?”

It's:

👉 “Do I have creditable prescription drug coverage?”

Because hopefully you stay healthy and don't need medications for a very long time. ❤️

But insurance is something we put in place for what we might need tomorrow, not just what we need today.

Before you skip Part D, make sure you understand the rules.

09/11/2026

🌴☀️ FUN FRIDAY! ☀️🌴
Okay, Southwest Florida… you only get to pick ONE. 👀

How are you spending your perfect Florida day?
🌅 A. Sunset walk on the beach
🚤 B. All day on the boat
🍹 C. Waterfront restaurant with a view
🏊 D. Pool day at home

No cheating and saying “all of the above.” 😂
👇 Drop your letter in the comments!

And if you have a favorite beach, boating spot, waterfront restaurant, or poolside drink… I want to hear that too. 🌴❤️

I'm curious which one is going to win!

09/10/2026

AEP is coming… does that mean you HAVE to pick a new Medicare plan?

Nope! ❤️

Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period gives you an opportunity to review your coverage and make a change.

It is NOT an annual requirement to switch plans.

Sometimes we do your review and discover:
👩‍⚕️ Your doctors still work with your plan.
💊 Your prescriptions still look good.
💰 Your costs still make sense.
🏥 Your coverage still meets your needs.

And my recommendation is:
“Stay exactly where you are.” 🙌

Other times, something important has changed and it's worth comparing your options.

That's why I don't think of Annual Enrollment as “time to find a new plan.”

I think of it as:
🔎 Time to make sure you still have the RIGHT plan.

If that's the one you already have, wonderful.
No unnecessary changes needed. ❤️

09/09/2026

📬 MEDICARE FRIENDS: There's an important letter coming your way soon!

And this is one piece of Medicare mail I DON'T want you tossing into the junk pile. 😂
It's called your Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC.

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, your plan sends this information each fall to explain what's changing with your coverage for the upcoming year.

👀 Why should you actually read it?

Because the plan you have TODAY may not look exactly the same next year.

Your ANOC can tell you about changes to things like:
💰 Copays and other costs
💊 Prescription drug coverage
🏥 Medical benefits
🦷 Additional plan benefits
📋 Other important coverage information

And here's the big one:
❤️ Receiving an ANOC does NOT mean you automatically need to change plans.
Sometimes we review everything and decide your current plan still makes perfect sense for you.

That's a win!

The important thing is that we check instead of assuming.

📌 When yours arrives:
1️⃣ Don't throw it away.
2️⃣ Put it somewhere safe.
3️⃣ Make note of anything that looks different.
4️⃣ Bring it with you when we review your Medicare coverage.

You don't need to understand every page by yourself.
That's my job. 😊

Your job is just not to throw it away before I get a chance to look at it. 😂

09/08/2026

📦 “We just moved to Florida… and now we can't find doctors who take our Medicare plan.”

I had a couple move to Florida from Ohio recently.

Because they moved out of their previous plan's service area, they had an opportunity to choose new Medicare coverage here in Florida.

They selected a new Medicare Advantage plan, their coverage started, and they thought they were all set. ❤️

Then they started trying to find doctors.
That's when the frustration began.
They were having a difficult time finding the providers they needed who participated with their new plan.

And eventually they called me and asked:
“Can we change plans again?”

Unfortunately, choosing a plan and then discovering you don't like the network doesn't automatically mean you can immediately switch to another one. Medicare has specific enrollment periods that determine when you're allowed to make changes.

And this situation is such an important reminder:
👉 A Medicare plan can look GREAT on paper and still not be a great fit for YOU.
Especially when you're moving to a new area.

Before choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, I want to know more than:
💰 What's the premium?
🦷 What extra benefits does it have?
💳 What other perks are included?

I also want to know:
👩‍⚕️ Can you see the doctors you need?
🏥 Are the hospitals and medical groups you prefer in network?
💊 How does the plan cover your prescriptions?
📍 And does the plan actually work well where you LIVE?

That's also where having someone who understands the local healthcare landscape can make a difference.

A plan that worked beautifully for you in Ohio may not even be available here and the plans available here can have very different provider networks.

🌴 Moving to Florida and have Medicare?

Please don't wait until AFTER you've enrolled to start looking for doctors.
Let's look at your healthcare needs first and choose your coverage second. ❤️

Shared with identifying details omitted to protect my clients' privacy.

09/08/2026

📺 “But the commercial said I could get ALL of this!”

If you've watched TV lately, you've probably seen Medicare advertisements talking about all kinds of extra benefits.

And some Medicare Advantage plans really DO offer additional benefits. ❤️
But here's the important part:
👉 Benefits aren't the same on every plan.

What's available can depend on the specific plan, where you live and whether you qualify.
And an exciting extra benefit doesn't automatically make a plan the right plan for YOU.

Before enrolling, I want to know:
👩‍⚕️ Are your doctors in the network?
💊 Are your prescriptions covered?
🏥 What hospitals can you use?
💰 What could your medical costs look like?
📋 And THEN — what additional benefits does the plan offer?

Those extras can absolutely be valuable.
They just shouldn't distract us from the actual health coverage underneath them.
So the next time a Medicare commercial has you reaching for the phone…

😂 Be like Betty and call your agent first.
We'll look at the whole picture together. ❤️

09/04/2026

🐾🌴 FUN FRIDAY! 🌴🐾

Okay, enough insurance talk for today… I want to see your PETS! 😂❤️

📸 PET ROLL CALL!

Drop your favorite picture of your furry, feathered, scaly or otherwise slightly spoiled family member in the comments. 👇

And tell me:
🐶🐱 What's their name?

BONUS POINTS if you also tell me the weirdest thing they do. 😂
Because I'm convinced every pet has at least ONE habit that makes absolutely no sense to anyone but them.

I'll go first! ❤️

👇 Let's see those pets!