Category: Insurance

Hospice is medical care for those with a terminal illness to live as well as possible for as long as possible, increasing the quality of life.  This care is provided by a team of professionals who address the physical, psychosocial and spiritual distress of both the dying person and their family.  Hospice came to the U.S. in the mid 1970’s and at that time was often used when cancer was the diagnosis.  Today, late stage heart, kidney, or lung disease and many other diagnosed illnesses utilize Hospice care.  There are even facilities for infants, children and adolescents available.

Read More

As the situation with COVID-19 or the Coronavirus progresses, I want to reach out to ensure you are presented with helpful information during this time of confusion.  One of the offerings for care that the federal and state governments as well as health insurance carriers and providers have promoted is Telehealth. 

Read More

I recently had a mechanical engineer who builds bridges in my office.  After we discussed Medicare he said, “I build bridges and I STILL don’t understand this stuff.” 

Read More

As the new year started, I watched the AFLAC duck attempt yoga on a tv commercial.  AFLAC has done a great job at marketing with the duck.  But I wondered, do people REALLY know how supplemental benefits work.  The next couple months I will do a series of articles on the different carriers, defining the types of benefits available on a voluntary basis, how the plans are implemented and how benefits are paid. This first month, will focus on supplemental benefit basics. 

Read More

Often, I receive inquiries from individuals wanting to purchase short-term disability on an individual basis. Typically, carriers will not offer short-term disability individually as it is not cost effective.  Standard short-term disability benefits start either first day for injury or illness or often first-day injury and seventh-day illness.  Can you guess who is traditionally most interested in this benefit?  Young females. 

Read More

As we age, the need for regular medical testing usually increases.  Thinking about what and when to be proactive is a great way to monitor changes in your body.  Following are common tests that older adults should get.

Read More

The Wall Street Journal recently posted online (September 19, 2019) the estimated increase for Social Security recipients for 2020 to be approximately 1.7 to 1.8% from current.  An average recipient receives $1305 a month so the increase could be approximately $27 at that level. 

Read More

Often times at appointments I have clients bring in marketing pieces. Sometimes they are discount prescription drug cards. So are they really worth it? 

Read More

After months of stress-filled days and busy nights, Ben needed a holiday. He decided to go on a solo trip to the Canary Islands, where he’d do nothing except lay on the sand for an entire week.

Read More

We can order anything online and have it delivered right to our door. Prescriptions are no different. We are all used to ‘mail order’ getting a 90 day supply, often for lower cost than the pharmacy. These prescriptions typically arrive in large bottles of 90 tablets or capsules. Then the issue is putting them in the ‘weekly’ containers or the struggle to take them timely.

Read More

Graduations are in full swing and as parents we are all looking toward these kids’ futures.  Whether they are heading to Trade schools, colleges, maybe straight to the work force or a discussion of a year off is in play or whatever the ‘next step’ may entail, we—the parents—should also think about these young adults’ health insurance. Read More

Medicare Supplement Plan F is one of the most popular supplement plans on the market—and has been for decades. Seniors looking to avoid out-of-pocket costs, including the Part B deductible and excess charges often turn to Plan F for benefits on day one. But if Plan F is so popular, why is it being phased out in 2020? Read More

I know I have discussed this before, but at the end of 2018 I experienced, again the new guidelines Medicare is now using regarding enrollment.

Read More

Silver Sneakers is a program that many of the Medicare Advantage plans offer.   This additional benefit to the medical and prescription drug coverage offer a basic membership at many locations throughout the US as well as offering FLEX classes within the community or specific cardio, strength and range of motion or circuit training for all levels of ability.  It’s an opportunity to workout and meet others that are working toward better health.

Read More