Kitchie McBride, MHA

09/27/2026

Fall is that time to organize your information. Get the details under the microscope and update what’s outdated.

For many people, health insurance Open Enrollment is right around the corner. And with major changes coming to ACA and significant considerations when reviewing Medicare Advantage coverage for 2027, this is an important time to pay attention.

We keep hearing about prices going up. But this is also the time to think about how much you may be able to save by understanding your coverage, knowing what has changed, and making informed choices for the year ahead.

Before you compare plans, you need to know what you already have and what may be changing.

If you’re under 65 and get your coverage through the Marketplace, this is a good time to review your current coverage and start thinking about your estimated household income for 2027, especially if you may qualify for subsidies.

If you’re 65 or older and have a Medicare Advantage plan, review your current coverage and the changes coming for 2027.

Getting your information organized helps you see your situation more clearly. And that awareness matters when you’re preparing and budgeting for the year ahead.

Sometimes cutting costs isn’t about making one big financial move. It’s paying attention to details, reviewing your information, and choosing healthcare coverage that is the most appropriate fit for your needs.

Knowledge and awareness are powerful that way. Because sometimes what costs you the most is simply not knowing an important detail until it’s too late.

If you are in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, visit my website kitchiemcbride.com and feel free to book an appointment.

09/21/2026

ICHRA is getting a new name: CHOICE Arrangements.

A traditional group health plan is not an employer’s only option. An employer can offer a CHOICE Arrangement (ICHRA), a traditional group health plan, or in some cases both to different groups of employees, depending on how the benefit is structured and the applicable employee-class rules.

https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/mh-ichra-choice-mehmet-oz-indiana-georgia/

09/11/2026

Maryland has released its first state-specific vaccine schedule for adults and children.

The new recommendations were issued under the Vax Act, which gives Maryland’s Health Secretary authority to set vaccine recommendations using guidance from established medical organizations, even when federal recommendations change.

Earlier this year, federal childhood vaccine guidance changed, with a revised CDC schedule taking effect in January 2026.

Maryland’s new state schedule continues to recommend familiar vaccines, including routine childhood vaccines, the hepatitis B series beginning at birth, MMR, and seasonal respiratory vaccines such as flu and COVID-19. Maryland officials also emphasized RSV vaccination when appropriate.

The recommendations do not create new vaccine mandates, and school vaccine requirements have not changed.

What is important from an insurance standpoint is that Maryland’s vaccine recommendations are tied to coverage requirements for certain Maryland-regulated health plans.

But not every type of health coverage is regulated the same way. Some plans are subject to Maryland insurance law, while others are governed primarily by federal rules or their own program requirements.

With vaccine guidance changing at both the state and federal level, it is important to check how those changes may apply to your specific health coverage.

And with respiratory virus season approaching, Maryland health officials are encouraging families to review their vaccine recommendations and try to complete seasonal vaccinations by the end of October.

https://marylandmatters.org/2026/09/10/state-health-officials-issue-vaccine-schedule-amid-ongoing-shifts-in-federal-vaccine-guidance/

09/06/2026

I may be able to help. Let’s review your options.

Employer health insurance costs are projected to increase by 8.2% in 2027.

For small businesses, there are good reasons to take another look at your current coverage.

Does the traditional group health plan you have now still make sense?

Or maybe you don’t have a group health plan yet but are interested in adding one to your employee benefits?

Could your business qualify for small-business Marketplace tax credits?

Is ICHRA a good fit? What is ICHRA anyway?

Group Medicare MSA perhaps? And what is that?

There are different ways to structure employee health benefits, and the right answer will depend on the business and the people being covered.

Employee health benefits are important for attracting and retaining employees, keeping people healthy and giving them access to care — while trying to keep the cost reasonable for both the business and employees.

One thing to remember with small-business group coverage: we look at where the business is located, not where the owner lives. So if your company is in Maryland but you live in DC, we would look at Maryland options.

If your business is in DC, Maryland or Virginia and you want to look at what may work for your situation, feel free to reach out through kitchiemcbride.com

The article below gives a good look at what is driving the projected increase.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/09/02/health-insurance-costs-projected-spike-next-year-by-82-percent/

Employers predict an average 8.2% increase in the cost of their insurance plans. Workers will shoulder some of the cost.

08/31/2026

Every change has its pros and cons. Some thoughts on Medicare Advantage enrollment caps after I read Modern Healthcare’s article, “Medicare Advantage enrollment caps promise to reshape 2027.”

Medicare Advantage enrollment caps may become one of the more important changes to watch in 2027.

08/13/2026

Taking care of your health may not prevent every medical expense, but healthier choices can help protect more than your well-being. They can also affect what you spend, how consistently you’re able to work, and how much room you have to build financial security.

Your health is an asset worth protecting.

08/12/2026

Partial Solar Eclipse

08/12/2026

Changes to the childhood vaccine schedule are raising concerns among physicians and public-health organizations.

An executive order signed this week recommends separating the MMR vaccine into individual shots and spacing childhood vaccines across different appointments. But decades of research support the safety and effectiveness of the current vaccination schedule.

One important point can get lost in the debate: delaying vaccines also carries risk.

Spacing doses farther apart can leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases for longer periods of time—and can increase the chance that recommended doses are missed altogether.

This matters as measles cases continue to rise in the United States.

Health decisions should be based on evidence, accurate information, and an understanding of both the benefits and the risks of changing established recommendations.



https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/122569

08/10/2026

Maryland is experiencing a record number of heat-related deaths, with older adults especially vulnerable.

During extreme heat:
✔️ Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
✔️ Stay in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
✔️ Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
✔️ Check on older family members, neighbors, and people living alone.
✔️ Never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle.
✔️ Know the warning signs of heat illness: dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, headache, or fainting.

If someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or has a very high body temperature, treat it as a medical emergency.

A simple check-in on someone during a heat wave can make a difference.



https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/08/07/maryland-record-heat-deaths/