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Medicare & Social Security Specialist serving Virginia & West Virginia. Helping with Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace plans & retirement benefits. Local support.

NABIP- West Virginia President-Elect

06/03/2026

🧠 June is Alzheimer's & Brain Health Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million Americans, and Medicare gives you some good tools to support it.

✅ Your yearly Medicare "Wellness" visit includes a no-cost cognitive check-in to screen for early signs of memory or cognitive issues. ✅ If your provider notices anything, Medicare also covers a separate, more in-depth cognitive care planning visit. ✅ Caregivers are welcome to attend these visits, ask questions, and help build a care plan together.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early diagnosis can open the door to better treatment and support options. So don’t put it off. 💛 This June, consider scheduling your wellness visit and starting an open conversation with your loved ones about brain health.

Questions about what your Medicare plan covers? Send us a message anytime. 💬

06/02/2026

Big news for Medicare Part D members 💊

Starting July 1, 2026, a new pilot program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge may make certain weight loss medications more affordable for eligible beneficiaries.

Here are the highlights:
🔷 Covered medications currently include Wegovy, Zepbound (KwikPen formulation), and Foundayo
🔷 Eligible members would pay a flat $50 monthly copay, compared to typical retail prices that can exceed $1,000
🔷 Eligibility is based on BMI plus related health conditions
🔷 Prior authorization from a doctor is required
🔷 The program runs through December 31, 2027

This is one of the most significant Medicare drug coverage changes in years. If you've ever wondered whether GLP-1 medications might fit your health picture, this is worth a closer look.

05/28/2026

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are gaining ground. Would you try them?

💊 Medications like Wegovy and Ozempic are helping people lose weight and manage blood sugar. 33% of U.S. adults say they’d give them a shot—if the price came down.

Many are already paying $200–$300+/month out of pocket.

If you’re considering these meds, make sure you understand:
✔️ What your health plan covers
✔️ What your out-of-pocket costs might be
✔️ Whether it’s the right fit for your health goals

Always talk to your doctor first—then check your coverage options.

05/27/2026

Should you file for Social Security at 62, 67, or 70?

The wrong answer could cost you $100,000+ over your lifetime.

Here's the truth:
✗ File at 62 → benefits cut by up to 30%
✓ File at 67 → full benefit
✓✓ Wait until 70 → benefits boosted by 24%

But it's not just about the math. Your decision depends on:
Your health
Your savings
Your spouse
Whether you're still working

Don't leave this to chance.

Give I Know Medicare a call and find out when is the best time for YOU to file (540) 662-4432

Source: Social Security Administration

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice makes the freedoms we enjoy today possible.

As we gather with family and friends for the long weekend, we hope your day is filled with gratitude, reflection, and meaningful connection with loved ones.

Happy Memorial Day!

05/22/2026

Case Study: A Cancer Scare on a High Deductible Health Plan

Ever wonder what really happens when you get sick on a High Deductible Health Plan? Meet Marcus, a 52-year-old freelancer. He didn’t think much about his health plan — until sudden symptoms led to a scan and ultimately to a cancer diagnosis, surgery, and radiation. He learned a lot about coinsurance and high deductibles.

What followed included:
✔️ Multiple specialist visits
✔️ Imaging, lab work, outpatient surgery
✔️ Post diagnosis, surgery and radiation therapy

Marcus had an HDHP with a $6,000 deductible and $8,000 out-of-pocket max. He ended up paying the full amount in just over seven months. So $8,000 later, he’s healthy but reconsidering what “affordable” coverage really means. It wasn’t cheap, but it could have been far worse: his total billed care was over $33,000.

Now cancer-free, Marcus is rethinking his options before next open enrollment. Would a lower-deductible plan or critical illness coverage have made more sense?

Real stories like this are why coverage clarity matters.
Have questions about your plan? We can help.

05/21/2026

A serious illness can impact more than your health—it can affect your income, too.

While medical insurance helps cover treatment, it doesn’t handle everyday expenses like your mortgage, utilities, or groceries if you can’t work. That’s why some people consider options like Critical Illness Insurance, which can provide a lump-sum cash benefit after a qualifying diagnosis.

These funds can be used for bills, out-of-pocket costs, or easing financial pressure so you can focus on recovery.

If you haven’t thought about how you’d manage financially during a major health event, it may be worth exploring your options. Give us a call!

05/20/2026

A Medicare program is making it easier for seniors to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

New updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) now provide greater access for participants to join virtually and remove the one-time enrollment limit. That means more flexibility, easier access (especially for those with mobility or transportation challenges), and the ability to rejoin the program if support is needed more than one time.

The program includes health coaching, nutrition guidance, and group support to help participants lose weight and reduce their risk of developing diabetes.

With nearly half of adults over 65 living with prediabetes, these changes could make a real difference.

If you or a loved one may be at risk, talk to a doctor about whether you qualify for the MDPP.

05/18/2026

5,600+ Americans hear "you have cancer" TODAY.

Tomorrow? 5,000 more.

Will you be ready if it's you?
Most people aren't.

Medical bills. Lost income. Rent is still due. Groceries still needed.

Get cash coverage that pays YOU directly — use it for:
✓ Treatment & deductibles
✓ Rent, mortgage, utilities
✓ Groceries & gas
✓ Travel to appointments
✓ Anything you need

At 65, you can lock in coverage for as little as $1 a day.
Don't wait until it's too late.

Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Statistics 2025
Rates vary by plan and individual factors.

05/14/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This reminds us that our mental health matters just as much as our physical health. 💙

Support is available. Medicare covers a variety of mental health services. This includes therapy, counseling, depression screenings, and even telehealth visits in many cases. Taking care of your mental health is an important part of staying
well at every age.

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