I Know Medicare

10/15/2026

Hiring extra help for the busy season? 👥 Seasonal and part-time employees can raise some important health insurance questions:

✅ Are they eligible for your company health plan?
✅ Is there a waiting period before coverage begins?
✅ Could their hours affect your employee count under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
✅ If they aren’t eligible for your plan, do they know where else they can look for coverage?

One detail that can surprise employers is that part-time employees may still affect whether a business is considered an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) under the ACA because their hours are used to calculate full-time equivalents.

There’s also a special rule that may apply to employers whose workforce temporarily exceeds 50 employees because of seasonal workers, but specific requirements must be met.

So, before the seasonal rush begins, review your health plan’s eligibility rules, understand how additional workers may affect your ACA calculations, and clearly explain benefits eligibility to every new hire.

If you need help sorting through the details, we can help you review your group benefits and understand the considerations for seasonal and part-time employees.

09/24/2026

08/04/2026

Veterans: your military health benefits and Medicare are not the same conversation. And the answer is different depending on which benefit you have.

🇺🇸 TRICARE — You won't have TRICARE coverage if you don't have Medicare Part B. That's not our opinion. That's TRICARE.

🇺🇸 CHAMPVA — If you turned 65 on or after June 5, 2001, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to keep CHAMPVA eligibility.

🇺🇸 VA health care only — VA benefits do not protect you from the Part B late enrollment penalty. And VA care covers you at VA facilities. If you need care somewhere else, that's where the gap opens.

Three different benefits. Three different answers. One expensive mistake if you assume.

Veteran-owned agency. We speak this language.
📞 540-440-5936
📅 iknowmedicare.net

07/31/2026

No dream has an expiration date. 🏔️

07/29/2026

🦷 A wise dentist once said: "You only have to take care of the teeth you want to keep." Dental care matters for more than just your smile. It's essential to your overall health.

Here's something a lot of people don't realize: most health insurance and Medicare plans don't include routine dental coverage, or they cover very little. A standalone dental plan can make preventive care like exams, cleanings, and x-rays more affordable, and depending on the plan, it may also help with fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, and more. There are a few types to choose from, so the right fit depends on your budget and the care you expect to need.

Been meaning to look into dental coverage? We're happy to help you compare options or start a quote. Just reach out.

07/28/2026

Medigap or Medicare Advantage? They're not two versions of the same thing. They're two different structures.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) works alongside Original Medicare. You keep Original Medicare, and the supplement helps with costs Original Medicare doesn't cover. Separate drug coverage is a separate decision.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces how you receive your Medicare benefits. It's an all-in-one plan through a private carrier, with its own network and its own rules.

Different premiums. Different networks. Different rules about switching later — and that last one catches people off guard.
There's no universally right answer. There's a right answer for you.

Let's talk it through. No cost, no pressure.
📞 540-440-5936
📅 iknowmedicare.net/contact

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

07/27/2026

Did you know your health insurance probably covers preventive care for $0? No copay, no coinsurance, and you don't even have to meet your deductible first.

Most plans cover things like:
🩺 Annual checkups and well visits
💉 Flu shots and other vaccines
🩻 Some cancer screenings like mammograms
🩸 Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings

The main catch: Be sure to see an in-network provider, and make sure your visit is billed as a screening and not a diagnosis. When in doubt, just ask before your appointment.

That yearly checkup you've been putting off might already be covered. Want to know what your plan includes? Send us a message and we'll help you find out.