Tracy Turner Health Insurance Agent

09/02/2026

Your ANOC Is Coming: Don't Throw This Medicare Letter Away!

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans mail an Annual Notice of Change. Learn what it means for your costs, coverage, and doctors next year.

09/01/2026

Medicare Scam Calls and Fake Agents Are Getting Harder to Spot

Medicare scam calls and fake insurance agents are on the rise. Learn the warning signs, how to verify who you're talking to, and what to do if you share information.

09/01/2026

📬 Keep an eye on your mailbox this September! If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, you should be receiving your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter by September 30th. This letter explains what's changing with your plan starting January 1st — things like your premium, deductible, drug coverage, which doctors or pharmacies are in network, and how benefit coverage is changing.

It's easy to set this letter aside, but taking a few minutes to read through it can save you from surprises come the new year. And if something in your ANOC catches your attention, remember that Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15th through December 7th, giving you time to compare plans and make a change if you need to.

If you have questions about what your ANOC means for you, we're always happy to help walk through it with us and discuss plan options starting October 1. Send us a message or give us a call!

08/27/2026

Struggling to get around your own home lately? You're not alone, and there may be more help available than you realize.

Medicare can help cover wheelchairs, power chairs, and mobility scooters when they're medically necessary for use at home. Getting there starts with a face-to-face visit with your doctor, who documents why a cane or walker isn't safe enough anymore and writes a formal order for the device.

Here's a detail worth knowing: if your supplier doesn't accept assignment, they can charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount, with no cap. That's different from how it works with doctors, and it can mean a real difference in your out-of-pocket cost.

Once you have your equipment, Medicare can also help with repairs and replacement parts down the road when they're medically necessary, so it's worth keeping your paperwork on hand.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will typically pay a percentage or coinsurance. Be careful! You typically must get your durable medical equipment from an in-network provider, with reimbursement not likely if you go out-of-network.

Have you or a family member navigated this process? We'd love to hear what you learned. And if you have questions about your own coverage, reach out. We're happy to help you sort through the details.

08/24/2026

What summer memory still makes you smile?

08/21/2026

Wondering if Medicare covers hearing aids?

Here's what most people don't learn until they're at the checkout counter: Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does NOT cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them. That's been the rule since 1965.

But you're not out of options. Here's where to look:

✅ Medicare Advantage plans — many include a hearing benefit with an allowance toward aids (check the plan details, they vary a lot)

✅ Over-the-counter hearing aids — available without a prescription for mild to moderate loss, often starting around a couple hundred dollars

✅ Medicaid — may cover aids if you're dual-eligible (varies by state)

✅ VA benefits — often cover hearing aids for qualifying veterans

✅ HSA/FSA dollars — pay for aids with pre-tax money

There are a few important hearing support options that Medicare DOES cover: doctor-ordered diagnostic hearing exams, one audiologist visit a year, and surgically implanted devices like cochlear implants, when medically necessary.

One myth to clarify: Medigap doesn't cover hearing aids either, since it only fills gaps in what Original Medicare already pays for.

❓Questions about which path fits your hearing and your budget? Reach out any time - we're happy to help.

08/19/2026

What's one small thing you've appreciated today?

08/17/2026

So you're turning 65 this year!
Changes in income, changes with insurance.. so many changes..
But Healthcare after retirement doesn't have to be confusing. 😊
We can help you strategize your future needs for health insurance.
Visit www.julieshealthbiz.com and fill out the Contact Us form so we can get started!
#1961

08/14/2026

If premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs feel like a lot on a fixed income, there are several federal and state programs that may help lower those expenses.

👉 Medicare Savings Programs are available in some areas, and can help cover Part A and Part B costs.
👉 Extra Help is a program that offers assistance to cover prescription drugs.
👉 State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) or can help pay for certain medications in some states. Check the Medicare.gov site for SPAP listings.
👉 Depending on your state and financial situation, Medicaid may help pay for long-term or nursing care.

Many people who qualify never apply, often because they assume they won’t be eligible or they don't know what's available in their state. Want help finding out what you might qualify for? Reach out and we'll walk you through your options. A little assistance can add up to real savings over the year.

08/11/2026

Here's something research keeps confirming: older adults often report higher happiness and emotional well-being than people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. And it's not because life gets easier.

Studies suggest older adults get better at managing emotions, recovering from stress faster, and focusing on what actually matters. They also tend to invest more deeply in fewer relationships, rather than spreading themselves thin across many.

The good news? These aren't traits you're born with. They're habits you can start building today, no matter your age.

Try this: spend more time this week with the two or three people who matter most to you. Notice one good thing each day, even a hard one. And let go of comparing your life to anyone else's.

What's one small habit that's made a real difference in your happiness? Share it below, we'd love to hear it. And if you're looking for ways to protect your health and peace of mind at every stage of life, we're here to help.