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.”
Category: Insurance
Series on Supplemental Benefits: What can be Considered Supplemental Benefits?
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.
Supplemental Benefit Series: Short Term Disability & Accident Policies
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.
The Health Tests Seniors Need
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.
2020 Estimates for Social Security & Medicare Costs
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.
Prescription Discount Cards—Are They Worth it?
Often times at appointments I have clients bring in marketing pieces. Sometimes they are discount prescription drug cards. So are they really worth it?
Trip Insurance Gets Real: Catastrophe in the Canary Islands
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.
SmartScripts: Prescriptions Packaged for Convenience and Safety
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.
Covering Students at College
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 it Really “Going Away”?
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
Enrolling in Medicare… the New Process and Guidelines
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.
Silver Sneakers Offers Tuition Assistance
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.
Are You Protecting Your Most Important Asset?
If you were asked what your most important asset is what would that be? Your home? Your car? Maybe your retirement savings? Think harder….what allows you to have those ‘things’?
What is the Farm Bureau Health Plan and Is it for Me?
Beginning January 1, 2019, there will be a new health pan option available for individuals, known as the Farm Bureau Health Plan. Here are a few facts about the plan.