Hughes & Associates Insurance Agency

Hughes & Associates Insurance Agency We specialize in Life, Health, Long-Term Care, Dental, and Vision Insurance as well as Medicare Supplements and Annuities for Arkansas residents.

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.

✨ Employee Spotlight: Melissa! ✨We're so proud to shine a spotlight on one of our most valued team members — Melissa! Sh...
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.

✨ Employee Spotlight ✨We want to take a moment to introduce one of the friendly faces (and voices!) of Hughes and Associ...
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! 👋

08/05/2026

💊 Does your prescription drug coverage feel like a mystery? You're not alone! Here are 3 terms you NEED to know — they could save you money and prevent surprises at the pharmacy counter.

🪜 Step Therapy

Your insurance may require you to try a less expensive drug before they'll cover the one your doctor originally prescribed. Think of it like climbing stairs — you have to prove the lower step didn't work before moving up. Always ask your doctor if a step therapy requirement applies to your medication!

✅ Prior Authorization (PA)

Some medications require your insurance to give the "green light" BEFORE they'll cover the cost. Your doctor submits paperwork showing why the drug is medically necessary. This process can take days or even weeks, so plan ahead — especially for new or specialty prescriptions!

📦 Quantity Limits (QL)

Your plan may only cover a set amount of a medication per month — for example, only 30 pills per 30-day fill. This is to prevent overuse and control costs. If you need more than the limit, your doctor can sometimes request an exception. Always check your plan's formulary (drug list) to know what's covered!

📋 Pro tip: If any of these apply to your medication, your doctor's office can often help appeal or work around them. You have rights — don't be afraid to ask! But keep in mind that just because appeals are made does not mean that they have to be approved so, it's important to keep that in mind when choosing a prescription drug plan.

♻️ Share this with a friend or family member who could use it!

07/29/2026

❓ "Can I sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan anytime I want in Arkansas?"

Great question — and one we hear a lot! The short answer is: not exactly. Here's what you need to know:

✅ Your best window: Open Enrollment
When you first turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B, you have a 7-month Open Enrollment Period. During this time, insurance companies must sell you any Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan they offer — no health questions asked, no denials.

⚠️ After that window closes...
In Arkansas, insurers require medical underwriting outside of your Open Enrollment Period unless you qualify due to an exception like the ones listed below. That means they can ask about your health history and may charge you more, exclude conditions, or deny coverage altogether based on your answers.

📌 Some exceptions exist
Certain life events — like losing employer coverage or your current plan leaving the market — may trigger a Guaranteed Issue Right, giving you another protected window to enroll.

The bottom line? Timing matters. If you or a loved one is approaching 65, let's talk BEFORE that Open Enrollment window passes. It could save you money and protect your health coverage for years to come.

📞 Call or message us today — we're here to help you make the most of your Medicare options in Arkansas! 🌿

07/22/2026

❓ FAQ Friday: "Can I get a better price on the same insurance by shopping different agents?"

Great question — and the answer depends on the type of agent you're talking to!

🔒 Captive agents (like those who work exclusively with State Farm, Allstate, etc.) can only offer you that one company's rates. Those rates are set — shopping another captive agent for the same carrier won't change your price.

🔓 Independent agents work with multiple insurance companies. Two independent agents could potentially quote you different prices — not because the rates are different, but because they may shop different carriers or apply discounts differently.

⚠️ One important note: If two agents quote the same carrier for the same coverage, the premium should be identical. Insurance rates are filed and regulated by your state — carriers can't charge you more or less based on who sold the policy.

💡 The real advantage? Working with an independent agent who shops multiple carriers on your behalf — so you don't have to call around yourself.

That's exactly what we do here at Hughes & Associates — as an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find you the best coverage at the best price.

Have questions about your coverage options? Drop a comment or send us a message — we're happy to help! 👇

🌟 Employee Spotlight: April Walker 🌟Today we get to shine the spotlight on our very own — April Walker!April joined the ...
07/14/2026

🌟 Employee Spotlight: April Walker 🌟
Today we get to shine the spotlight on our very own — April Walker!

April joined the Hughes & Associates family back in 2013, and we truly can't imagine our office without her. A Russellville native, April graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1992 with a degree in Biology and went on to inspire young minds as a science teacher at the junior high and high school levels in Missouri and northwest Arkansas.

After adventures in Alabama and Texas, April and her husband Scott found their way back home to Russellville — and we're so glad they did! The two are kept busy by their two daughters and are active members of First Baptist Church. When she's not at the office, you can find April and Scott rolling up their sleeves and working on their family farm house. 🏡

Fun Fact!
April is a bit of an unofficial meteorologist for the office and several others here in town. If there's a chance of storms, April is on it! ⛅🌩️
We are so grateful for April's dedication, warmth, and expertise. Thank you for everything you do, April! 💛

07/02/2026

🏥 Health insurance confusing you? Let's break down two of the most important terms you need to know!

💰 What is a Deductible?

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for covered medical services before your insurance starts helping. For example, if your deductible is $1,500, you pay the first $1,500 of covered care yourself — after that, your insurance kicks in! Think of it as your "entry fee" before coverage begins.

🛡️ What is a Max Out of Pocket (MOOP)?

Your MOOP is the most you will ever have to pay for covered services in a plan year. Once you hit this limit, your insurance covers 100% of the rest of all covered services! For 2026, federal law caps Marketplace plan MOOPs at $10,600 for an individual and $21,200 for a family. It's your financial safety net. 🙌

👉 Bottom line: Your deductible is where you start. Your MOOP is where your costs stop. Knowing both helps you budget for healthcare all year long!

Have questions about your plan? Drop them in the comments below! ⬇️ And share this with someone who could use a little insurance clarity! 🔄

06/25/2026

📋 Did you know Medicare has Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)?

Missing your Initial Enrollment Period doesn't mean you're out of options! Life happens — and Medicare has Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) that allow you to sign up or make changes to your coverage outside of the standard enrollment windows.

Here are the most common SEPs for Medicare beneficiaries:

💼 Losing Employer or Union Coverage

If you or your spouse loses job-based health insurance, you have 8 months to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B without a late penalty.

🏠 Moving to a New Area

Moving out of your plan's service area — or into one — may qualify you to switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans within 2 months of your move.

⭐ Plan Loses Its Star Rating

If your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan drops below a 3-star rating for 3 years in a row, you get a one-time SEP to switch to a 5-star plan.

🏥 Entering or Leaving a Care Facility

Moving into or out of a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or similar institution triggers an SEP to adjust your Medicare coverage.

💰 Qualifying for Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy)

If you newly qualify (or lose eligibility) for Extra Help with Part D drug costs or a Medicare Savings Program, you can change your plan once per quarter in the first 3 quarters of the year.

🔄 Plan Leaves Medicare or Changes Coverage

If your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is discontinued or significantly changes, you qualify for an SEP to find new coverage.

🌍 Returning from Abroad or Released from Incarceration

Returning to the U.S. after living abroad, or being released from incarceration, may qualify you for an SEP to enroll in Medicare.

⚠️ Important: SEPs are time-sensitive — most last only 2–8 months from the qualifying event. Acting quickly helps you avoid coverage gaps and potential late enrollment penalties.

Have questions about your SEP eligibility? Drop them in the comments below or visit Medicare.gov for official guidance.




Address

2000 West Main Street
Russellville, AR
72801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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