Patton Insurance Benefits

06/22/2026

What to know about the temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program

by Joseph Choi

Starting in July, some Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access GLP-1 medications by paying one flat fee per month. The temporary program is set to run for a year-and-a-half through the end of 2027.

But with less than two weeks before its launch, questions remain over how it will operate.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, described by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a “time-limited demonstration,” will officially run from July 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027.

Announced in December, the program will allow eligible Medicare Part D enrollees to access GLP-1 medications for a $50 monthly copay. Despite GLP-1s being indicated for diabetes, obesity and some heart conditions, the Bridge program will almost solely be available to beneficiaries seeking weight management solutions.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5931336-medicare-glp1-bridge-program/

Starting in July, some Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access GLP-1 medications by paying one flat fee per month. The temporary program is set to run for a year-and-a-half through …

06/09/2026

Turning 26 creates health care challenges for Americans

By Angela Palo

Turning 26 forces many young adults into one of the first major financial decisions they've ever had to make entirely on their own. Health insurance had always been there in the background, handled through a parent's plan and rarely required much attention beyond showing an insurance card at a doctor's office.

Turning 26 forces many young adults into one of the first major financial decisions they've ever had to make entirely on their own.

06/03/2026

The retirement age changed this year: Here’s what to know

by Addy Bink

The full retirement age for Social Security benefits has been raised to 67 for people born in 1960 or later, as part of a gradual rise stemming from a 1983 amendment. People who start collecting benefits at age 62 may receive 30% less than if they had waited until 67. The IRS raised contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs this year, and a cost-of-living adjustment of about 4% is expected next year for Social Security beneficiaries.

If you’re of a certain age, you may have entered 2026 thinking you were ready to retire. Unfortunately, if you aren’t of an even more specific age, retiring this year could have a big i…

05/28/2026

What is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge?

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge is a short-term demonstration run by CMS that will provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries with access to certain GLP-1 drugs between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027.

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge will operate outside of the Medicare Part D benefit’s coverage and payment flow. As a result, Part D sponsors will not carry risk for eligible GLP-1 drugs furnished under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, and Part D sponsors do not have to opt in to the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge for eligible beneficiaries to access these drugs beginning July 1, 2026. In 2026, CMS will use a single central processor to manage prior authorization, claims adjudication, and payment to pharmacies for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.

Beginning July 1, 2026, all formulations of Foundayo®, all formulations of Wegovy®, and the KwikPen ® formulation of Zepbound® will be available to eligible beneficiaries through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The single-dose vial and single-dose pen formulations of Zepbound® will NOT be available through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.

https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge

https://youtu.be/_xtjXIoxwYk?si=XywQhp_nesbthaDA

On July 1st, CMS will be launching the “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge short-term demonstration” – a pilot program that will provide eligible Medicare Part D benefici...

05/28/2026

Projected 2027 IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Medicare Part B and D

Will you owe the Medicare IRMAA surcharge in 2027? Grab your 2025 tax return and check the projected brackets and surcharges for next year.

By Donna LeValley

If you have Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, your monthly costs could look drastically different than the standard rates. High-income retirees are subject to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) — a progressive surcharge added directly to your Medicare premiums if your income crosses specific thresholds.

Understanding how the projected 2027 IRMAA brackets are calculated and how the two-year tax lag impacts you is essential to preserving your retirement savings. Failing to plan for these thresholds can trigger an unexpected financial "cliff," where a single dollar of excess income can cost you thousands in annual surcharges.

This year, forecasting the 2027 numbers was more difficult because the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not publish official CPI-W data for October 2025, due to the federal government shutdown last year. The official numbers should be released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by early November of this year.

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-premiums-irmaa-brackets-and-surcharges-part-b-and-d-2027

Will you owe the Medicare IRMAA surcharge in 2027? Grab your 2025 tax return and check the projected brackets and surcharges for next year.

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

Most seniors tell us the same thing — they want to recover at home, not in a nursing home or long-term care facility. ❤️

The United National Life Home Health Care Shield plan was designed to help seniors recover comfortably at home while providing benefits for qualified home health care services, prescription drugs, and even caregiver support for loved ones helping care for family members.

✅ No prior hospitalization required
✅ Benefits paid directly to you
✅ Helps protect your independence at home
✅ Includes caregiver support benefits for family caregivers

For many families, this coverage can provide peace of mind during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Watch the short video below to learn how the Home Health Care Shield plan works. 👇

05/11/2026

Happy Small Business Week! 🎉

As a family owned and operated small business, we’re proud to support the other hardworking small businesses that keep our communities growing and thriving. From local shops and restaurants to startups and family-owned businesses — your dedication, passion, and perseverance make a BIG difference every single day.

Thank you for creating jobs, inspiring innovation, and helping build a stronger future for all of us. We appreciate everything you do!

Here’s to celebrating the entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers this Small Business Week! 👏

05/04/2026

☀️🏖 Ready to party at the Iowa Realtors Summer Meetings in Coralville! 🏖☀️

Les is working hard promoting the Realtor Relief Fund - https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/GvqxiQ?vid=1q9yuk

04/30/2026

🪥🦷 Good morning from the Iowa Dental Association IDEAS26 convention. We are giving away a set of FIGS designer scrubs! 🦷🪥