Happy Veterans Day _ We salute all Service men   and women.

 With Covid-19 and two hurricanes, most of SW LA residents have more on their mind than Medicare. Trust me, we understand.

 However, each year during AEP we strive to give you a heads-up on the changes to Medicare. Let's look at the upcoming changes for 2021.

 One of the biggest and most beneficial points to discuss for the 2021 Medicare plans it that patients with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) can now qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan! Up until now, this was the one question that stopped a Medicare beneficiary from joining most advantage plans, but for 2021 that is no longer a *determining factor.

Other changes are as follows:

*For those who pay Part A premiums, there is an increase from $252 to $263 OR $478 (in lieu of $458)

*Medicare Part A Deductible is $1452 (per benefit period) and up from $1364

*Part A Coinsurance for days 61-90 is now $353 per day (increase of $1) and lifetime reserve days the insured's responsibility is $726 per day instead of $704

*Fees for Skilled Nursing Facility have risen from $176 per day (days 21-100) to $181.50

*Medicare Part B Premium is $153.00 (up from $144.60)

*Medicare Part B Deductible is $203, a $5 increase from 2020's amount of $198.

Your Part D (prescription drug) Medicare benefits and coinsurance costs have changed also.

*Part D deductible is $445 in lieu of $435

*MOP (maximum out of pocket) is $6550 annually - up from $6350 

*Cost of drugs in the gap or "donut hole" is $3.70 for generic (up from $3.50) and $9.50 for brand (up from $8.30)

*Your cost in the coverage gap/donut hole is a flat 25% of the cost of the drug in lieu of 31%

Another remarkable change in the 2021 Medicare benefits is that select insulin medications will be available at the flat rate of $35 per month. This is great news for many diabetics!

If you have questions about your current Medicare plan or need help navigating the Medicare maze for 2021, give one of our licensed professional agents a call: 337-439-7730

Meanwhile, we appreciate your patronage and honor our Veterans!

Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimers:

• Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
• Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency

*Guidelines vary by company/plan

​Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}

.We received a phone call here at the office informing us that our Medicare number will "expire."

Yes, the scammers are out and busy so Medicare recipients, PLEASE BEWARE!

Your Medicare number NEVER expires - Do NOT give your Medicare number out to anyone!

For more information on Medicare Scams read our previous post or THIS Article.

Meanwhile be safe and beware. If you think you've already been scammed call  Medicare immediately at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Tommy Curtis and Staff
​
Disclaimers:

• Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
• Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency

​Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}

We've hardly had a chance to catch our breath after Hurricane Laura and here we are, facing Delta. 

We've shared with you tips on Hurricane Preparedness, travelling and moving but here are a few more tips we've learned since evacuating August 26th.....

Even if you were lucky enough to not have a claim due to Laura, take your home and flood insurance policies with you should you evacuate for Delta! Many folks were left unprepared to file their claim because they didn't think to grab that insurance policy when packing to evacuate. Your policy gives important details about your coverage as well as phone numbers you need in the instance of a claim. 

Make sure your auto policy is with you also, especially if you have Comprehensive and Collision coverage and be sure you have a current ID card on hand. 

If you evacuate and end up in the hospital - Do NOT allow anyone to change your Medicare plan! We've had this happen and the results are not always what is best for you. Your Medicare Supplement travels with you and your Medicare Advantage plan pays for emergency services whether you are in your network or not. Only in the instance of a permanent move outside your network area should you change your plan.

Please be careful allowing someone to "help" you by changing "part" of your Medicare plan. A Medicare Advantage plan usually includes RX so someone changing "only the drug portion" - changes your entire plan! You may end up with only basic Medicare and a drug plan leaving YOU to pay the 20% Medicare does not pay on covered charges and perhaps even more. This is especially important if you're on Medicare AND Medicaid!

Hope these tips help. Take care of your health and protect home as well as possible from further damage. I know, this isn't always easy, especially now, but do your best. We are praying with and for you.

Tommy Curtis and Staff

Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc. {A Life and Health Agency} ​

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined writing a post like this one, but, with the world gone crazy over this Corona Virus, I thought I’d let you know how we, here at Curtis Insurance, and the Home/Life/Medicare companies we represent are handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although our office is remaining open - as of now - we are taking precautions like everyone else. We limit our exposure to outside traffic, encouraging our clients to pay their premiums online or directly to the company by phone when possible. We’re asking our patrons to be as cautious as we are by not coming into the office if you are currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms or have any reason to believe you may have been inadvertently exposed to this virus.

Our regular contacts at Home and Auto insurance companies are working remotely – from home – but still active. Turn-around time is slower than normal, but we are still in business.

Our Medicare clients are urged to stay inside! Order your medications and OTC items directly through the company and avoid being in the public for things you can have delivered directly to your door. All of the Medicare companies we represent have sent notices of waived co-pays, early and/or extended RX refills, online and telephonic support for their/our members. Many are also waiving co-pays for diagnostic testing related to the COVID-19 virus and some are offering their Virtual Doctor Visits at $0 co-pays. If you’re one of our Medicare clients and are unsure of your particular plan’s response or guidelines regarding this virus, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

New-to-Medicare clients, have no worries! Give us a call. We can mail or email you the product information you’re requesting, do Medicare Compliant presentations over the phone and enroll you over the phone or through email!

In this time of uncertainty, rest assured we are still here to serve you and will do so to the best of our ability until life gets back to normal, as surely it will.

Tommy Curtis & Staff

Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc. {A Life and Health Agency} ​

  As we move into the second month of 2020, there are so many things to consider when thinking about your insurance.

  We're going to take a moment and direct you back to some of our most important and most informative posts throughout the past couple of years.

Medicare AEP is over and 2020 is right around the corner.  Business has slowed to a more normal pace around the office.  We here at Curtis Insurance / Curtis & Associates would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Blessed & Prosperous New Year.
​
Our office will close at 12:00 NOON on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24th) and be closed on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25th). We will resume normal business hours (9-5) on Thursday, Dec. 26th.

We will also close at 12:00 NOON on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31st) and be closed all day Wednesday, New Year’s Day (Jan 1st 2020). We will resume normal business hours (9-5) on Thursday, Jan 2nd.

If you are looking for something different, something special to give a close friend, family member or loved one, consider a Life Insurance policy. We have special single, premium annuities that protect your money and your beneficiary from taxation that might otherwise be imposed on a cash gift or inheritance.

If you’d like more information on this type of plan, please give our Licensed Life Insurance Specialist a call and set an appointment to discuss your options.
 
Until next time take care and remember in a world where you can be anything….be kind.
Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimer: This material has been provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc. {A Life and Health Agency}

​Our sister company, Curtis & Associates has been offering Medicare plans for several years now and it always amazes me to find so many people who have a Medicare plan but no local agent. Many choose to go it alone and do their Medicare shopping online or directly through the company.

​That’s fine, good and well for some, but it turns out to be a nightmare for many.