Patricia Smith Engelage, Medicare Consultant

12/21/2025

Sounds like a great service. If anyone uses it please share how it works and how your experience was. This could be helpful for some of my clients

10/08/2025

I just received this communication this am! If you have a UHC Medicare Advantage plan and want to stay in NKC / Meritas Health network contact me to explore your coverage options with Humana!

Dear Trusted Broker,

We want to make you aware of important changes regarding your clients’ Medicare Advantage insurance coverage in 2026.

In 2026, NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health, will no longer accept Cigna Medicare Advantage plans (effective January 1) and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans (Optum/AARP) (beginning April 1)1. This change was made with significant consideration and evaluation.

As a not-for-profit, community-focused integrated health system, NKC Health is dedicated to our mission of empowering hope and healing. Building on a 67-year legacy of trusted care, we are committed to helping people live their healthiest lives and continually review the Medicare Advantage plans we accept to best serve our patients. By accepting select Medicare Advantage plans, we can ensure the plans we participate with are focused on our patients, truly support better outcomes, reduce unnecessary barriers, and align with our mission of exceptional care.

We are reaching out now because we want to help you prepare your clients for this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period that runs from October 15 - December 7, 2025.

NKC Health will accept the following plans in 20261:
• Medicare
• Medicare Supplement Plans
• Humana Medicare Advantage

How can you ensure that your clients maintain access to NKC Health providers?
• Stay informed through NKC Health’s dedicated website (nkchealth.org/Medicare).
• Review NKC Health’s accepted plans to inform your clients of options that maintain access to their NKC Health providers and best fit their needs.

NKC Health is committed to transparency throughout this transition so your clients can make informed decisions about their coverage. We value the trust they place in NKC Health, and we remain committed to delivering the high-quality, compassionate care your clients deserve.

Sincerely,

Stephen Reintjes Sr., MD

1UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (Optum/AARP) will not be accepted starting April 1, 2026. If you see “Optum” on your identification card, you may see changes to your benefits when seeing our medical group professionals as early as January 1, 2026.

Northland Professionals in Aging

08/18/2025

Thank you 54th Steet! Annie, you’re the best!

Thank you 54 Street Restaurant/Drafthouse for being the Presenting Sponsor for our 2nd annual Feeding Hope Gala on September 13, 2025.

54th Street Restaurant/Drafthouse is a family owned restaurant featuring fresh made- from-scratch-food. Diners will enjoy a wide selection of menu options, vast array of draft beers and craft cocktails in a retro-style dining atmosphere.

07/18/2025

Beware of scammers offering "free" services or gifts!!!

Beware of scammers offering “free” services or gifts. They may be trying to trick you into signing up for hospice care without your knowledge. If you think y...

07/18/2025

Helpful Hint - Who to Contact; Social Security or Medicare?

it can be confusing to know which agency to contact for assistance and information. For example, the following actions should be taken with the Social Security Administration:

* Checking Medicare eligibility,
* Signing up for Medicare Parts A & B,
* Applying for Extra Help with Prescription drug coverage (Part D),
* Appealing an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA), and
* Reporting a change in address or phone number if the beneficiary already receives benefits.

Medicare should be the source of information for the following issues:

* Understanding what Medicare covers,
* Checking the status of Medicare Part A or B claims, and
* Finding forms for filing a Medicare appeal or letting someone speak with Medicare on a beneficiary’s behalf.

If you're ever confused about who to call, you can always call me and I'll guide you!

Send a message to learn more

07/10/2025

If you’re getting ready to sign up for Medicare and have a Health Savings Account (HSA), there are a few things you should know – like when you may want to stop contributing to your HSA, and how to use it with Medicare. Learn more: https://go.medicare.gov/4mwblqb

06/05/2025

It's important to know the signs of a Medicare scam so you can protect yourself. To get your personal information, like your Medicare number, scammers may call, text and email saying things like:
• "You need to activate or renew your Medicare card."
• "We'd like to send you a free genetic testing kit."
• "Medicare has authorized us to send you a free (knee, back or elbow) brace."
• "You qualify for a refund on your Medicare costs."
Remember, never give your Medicare card or number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.

Keep in mind: Caller IDs and email addresses can be faked, so if you're not sure who's calling, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). And remember, Medicare will never contact you unless you've contacted us first.
Sincerely,
The Medicare Team

06/05/2025

These folks are great and if you tell them I referred you, they will waive their consultation fee!

Charley Lewis, our amazing Life Care Coordinator, is in the studio bringing you something brand new from Lifescape!
We’re diving into the real talk families need to hear-like how to avoid the 5 most expensive mistakes in elder care.
Stay tuned…because peace of mind starts with a plan.

05/29/2025

Received a call from client on Memorial Day saying Medicare called them and said there was a problem and their Medicare would end at the end of May. Then asked for their Medicare number.

I told them to immediately call Medicare and report it, someone just scammed them to obtain their Medicare number!

Remember, Medicare will never call you on the phone! Medicare or your current insurance carrier will never call you on a holiday! Please be careful when talking on the phone to anyone you don't personally know and NEVER give them any of your personal information.

If you ever receive a call and are unsure, hang up and call me and I'll help you figure out what is going on.

05/07/2025

So important for everyone that receives the unwanted phone calls from unknown numbers!

Unless you contact Medicare first, Medicare will not call you.

Phone scammers often try to get personal information, like your Medicare Number, birthdate, or Social Security Number, by posing as Medicare. If you’re not sure the caller is who they say they are, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.