Barstead Brokerage LLC

06/14/2026

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06/08/2026

this page has been moved to

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Straightforward Medicare education and guidance to help you understand your options and choose coverage that fits your individual needs.

05/07/2026

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Please join us on our new page Savvy65. Click the link above and follow us please

Straightforward Medicare education and guidance to help you understand your options and choose coverage that fits your individual needs.

03/28/2026

This page is in the process of being moved to a new page with a new look. Please click below and follow us there.

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Straightforward Medicare education and guidance to help you understand your options and choose coverage that fits your individual needs.

03/24/2026

UPDATE: Back up !

Our WiFi modem took its last breath last night so we have no internet. Comcast says it will be 5 days to get a new one here. Looks like I will be going to visit them today to get one and hopefully install it and be back up and running later today.

02/21/2026

02/21/2026

08/16/2025

If you have Sonder there is a special enrollment period that starts immediately to chose a new plan

Sonder Health Plans, Inc. (“Sonder Health Plans”) was placed into receivership by order of the Superior Court of Fulton County on August 13, 2025, to protect Georgia policyholders due to its reported insolvency and inability to raise additional funds from outside investors.

08/11/2025

Coming soon to your mailbox. Please watch for it and get the info sheet back to me asap

08/04/2025

Why Are Medicare Advantage Plans Moving Toward More HMO Plans (and Fewer PPOs)?

If you're exploring Medicare Advantage options, you’ve probably noticed that HMO plans are becoming more common—and PPOs a little less so. Here's why that’s happening—and why it might actually be a good thing for you.

🩺 Why HMOs?
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are growing because they offer strong care coordination, lower premiums, and better value overall. They're designed to keep your healthcare simple and cost-effective—without sacrificing quality.

✅ No More Referrals? Yes, Really!
Many people still believe HMOs require referrals to see a specialist. But here’s the truth: most HMO plans today no longer require referrals. That means more direct access to care than ever before.

🔍 What’s the Catch?
The biggest limitation is that HMOs typically don’t cover out-of-network care (unless it's an emergency). But honestly, that’s rarely a problem.
Most people get all the care they need from in-network doctors who are fully qualified to treat them to their satisfaction.

🚨 When Do People Go Out of Network?
It’s usually not because there’s no doctor available—it’s because someone wants a specific doctor they believe is "the best," even if that provider is far away or out of network. While that’s totally understandable, it’s not the case for most people’s day-to-day healthcare needs.

💬 Bottom Line:
HMO plans today are more flexible, affordable, and comprehensive than ever before. If you want great care and better savings, it might be time to give an HMO another look.