Hughes & Associates Insurance Agency

10/08/2026

This is a reminder to review your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D plan) or your Medicare Advantage Plan before it's too late!
Note: Medicare Supplement plans can be reviewed anytime of year.

10/06/2026

‼️Medicare Review Notice‼️
Due to changes in access to information, we will not be MAILING out any Part D review information this year.

For those who have a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan with us, we sent a link on September 24th-26th by either text or email to update your information and prescriptions. Once that link is completed you will be able to set an appointment or choose to receive an emailed review.

09/16/2026

09/15/2026

📅 It's that time of year — the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 – December 7. But did you know not every Medicare plan falls under AEP rules? Here's a quick breakdown so you can make informed decisions! 👇

✅ Subject to AEP
*Medicare Advantage (Part C) — You can enroll, switch, or drop an MA plan during AEP. AEP applies

*Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans) — You can join, switch, or drop a standalone PDP during AEP. AEP applies

🚫 Not subject to AEP
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) — Enrollment follows its own Initial and General Enrollment Periods, not AEP. AEP does not apply
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) — Medigap plans are sold year-round by private insurers and are not governed by AEP. Your best protection is enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. AEP does not apply
Medicare Extra Help — These assistance programs are available year-round through your state. AEP does not apply

💡 Bottom line: AEP is specifically for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans. If you're on Original Medicare or looking at Medigap, different enrollment rules apply — and timing matters for Medigap especially!

Have questions about which plan is right for you? Drop them in the comments or send us a message. We're here to help! 🙌

09/09/2026

Health insurance covers the hospital bill. But who covers everything else — the mortgage, groceries, gas, childcare — while you're out of work recovering? That's the gap a Cancer, Heart Attack & Stroke plan is built to fill.

A few groups who tend to benefit most:

🏠 Homeowners — a diagnosis shouldn't put your house at risk on top of everything else.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents & single-income families — lost income during treatment can hurt more than the medical bills.

💼 Self-employed & small business owners — no employer sick pay means no built-in safety net.

📋 Anyone on a high-deductible health plan — even solid insurance can leave thousands in out-of-pocket costs.

🧬 People with a family history of cancer, heart disease, or stroke.

🎯 Those 5–10 years from retirement — protect the savings you've already built.

Here's the key part: this plan pays a lump sum of cash directly to you, not the hospital, and you decide how to use it.

If any of this sounds like you, send us a message or give us a call to get more information and quotes specific to your needs.

09/08/2026

📅 Open Enrollment season is a reminder for something important — Reviewing your Medicare Part D plan!

Every year, drug plans can change their premiums, deductibles, copays, and — most importantly — which medications they cover. A plan that worked great for you this past year may not be the best fit next year. This year we expect to see more changes than ever!

Here's why an annual review matters:

✅ Your medications may have changed. New prescriptions — or ones you no longer take — could mean a different plan saves you money.

✅ Formularies change every year. Your current drug may move to a higher tier, costing you more out of pocket.

✅ Better options may exist. New plans enter your area all the time, and you could be leaving savings on the table.

✅ Premiums and deductibles shift. Even if nothing else changes, your costs might.

The good news? Comparing plans is free and easier than ever. Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE to review your options during Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7).

Don't just let your plan auto-renew and hope for the best — watch the video linked below to see Matt explain how to review your plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1vxACMmm5U&t=7s

09/01/2026

ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE LETTERS

Make sure to open those letters from your insurance company!

Companies are required to mail out ANOCs (Annual Notice of Change) for Medicare Prescription Drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. These should arrive in September and include important information regarding changes to your plan that will begin January 1st, if you do not change to a different plan.

📈This is important in helping you decide if you should look at changing plans or not as they include information such as the plan premium, deductibles, copays, and some formulary changes for the next year.

08/25/2026

✨ Employee Spotlight: Melissa! ✨
We're so proud to shine a spotlight on one of our most valued team members — Melissa! She joined Hughes & Associates back in 2011 and holds a very special place in our history as the very first employee Matt ever hired.
A proud Russellville native and ATU Alumni (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, class of 2000), Melissa has also called Northwest Arkansas and — across the globe — Singapore home at different points in her life. A true woman of the world!
Outside the office, Melissa is a devoted wife to Jerry and a proud mom to Dylan, Lauren, and Renee.
When she's not behind the scenes keeping things running smoothly here, there's a good chance Melissa is boarding a plane to her next international adventure ✈️ — her passion for travel really keeps her on the go! She also loves staying active at the gym and enjoying those sunny Arkansas summers poolside. ☀️
Although Melissa holds her insurance license, she now works primarily behind the scenes — and our team genuinely couldn't function without her. She's the engine that keeps everything moving!
Melissa, thank you for 15+ years of dedication, hard work, and heart. We are so grateful you're part of the Hughes & Associates family! 💙

08/20/2026

📋 Understanding Your Health Insurance Timeline for Retirement

Planning for retirement involves more than your finances — your health insurance timeline deserves equal attention. Here's what you should expect.

🎂 Age 65: The Medicare Milestone
Your Initial Enrollment Period spans seven months: three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month itself, and three months after. This is the one deadline that carries real consequences — missing it can result in penalties that remain in effect for the life of your coverage.

🌉 Retiring Before 65: Bridging the Gap
If you plan to retire earlier, you'll need a strategy to cover the gap. COBRA can extend your employer coverage for up to 18 months, though you'll be responsible for the full premium. The ACA Marketplace is also worth exploring — standard open enrollment runs November 1 through December 15, but retirement qualifies as a special life event, granting you a 60-day window to enroll outside that period.

🛡️ Considering a Medigap Policy?
If you're already enrolled in Medicare and considering a supplement plan, timing matters. You have a 6-month window beginning the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more due to pre-existing conditions. Once that window closes, medical underwriting may limit your options and increase your costs.

✅ The Takeaway
Begin reviewing your options 6 to 12 months ahead of your target retirement date. This gives you time to compare plans, avoid coverage gaps, and steer clear of costly penalties.

08/12/2026

✨ Employee Spotlight ✨

We want to take a moment to introduce one of the friendly faces (and voices!) of Hughes and Associates — Melanie!

Chances are, if you've called our office or walked through our doors, Melanie was the first person to welcome you. She joined our team in 2024, bringing with her an incredible 33 years of experience as a teacher with the Russellville School District — and that warmth and dedication she brought to the classroom shines through in everything she does here.

Melanie's story with Russellville began in 1987 when she came to town to attend Arkansas Tech University. It was there she met her husband, Geoff, and the rest is history! The two are proud parents of sons Brett and Riley, and the family are active members of First Baptist Church in Russellville.

Now that she's traded lesson plans for a new adventure, Melanie is making the most of her days off by doing all the things she never had time for during her teaching years — crafting, painting, reading, and traveling. We love it! 🎨📚✈️

We are so grateful to have Melanie on our team. Her warmth, dedication, and genuine care for people make our office a better place every single day. Next time you stop by or give us a call, make sure to say hello! 👋