​Every year our licensed, Medicare agent goes through extensive training, part of which is on Medicare Fraud, Waste & Abuse and it shocks and infuriates us to find that nearly $65 BILLION dollars annually is reported as such.

Read that again…..

$SIXTY-FIVE-BILLION-DOLLARS!

The 3rd Quarter of 2022 is almost over, so we thought we'd do a quick check up to review with you some things you might want to be aware of....

Our children have been back to school for several weeks now, but it's always wise to drive with care and pay attention out there.

We're still smack in the middle of hurricane season and although we've been blessed so far to not have anything come close to us, we're not out of the woods yet. Brush up on your preparation tips as well as binding restrictions for home, auto and recreational vehicle insurance.

You might also want to review our posts on understanding your home or mobile home insurance and policy deductibles as well as the need for flood insurance.

Football and Festivals are in full swing. We've got information that will help you be safe and have fun while you're out and about.

Medicare AEP is right around the corner (Oct 15 - Dec 7) so now is a good time to review your Medicare policy. New to Medicare? Check out our FAQ and Understanding Medicare posts. If you don't already have a local agent, give us a call. We'd be happy to be yours! Have Medicare and Medicaid or a Veteran with Medicare? We can help you too!

If travelling is in your plans for the holidays this year, check out our tips for travelling smart and other articles that can benefit you during the most wonderful time of the year.

As we round out 2022, we here at Curtis Insurance sincerely hope we've provided blog posts that are educational and informative and pray you'll drop by monthly to see what we're sharing.

Until next time take care and remember.... In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
​Tommy Curtis and Staff

Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available 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 personal advisors before making these types of decisions.

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

Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed Agent/Broker.

*By contacting us and providing information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, e-mail or mail to answer your questions and provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

The federal government (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS) gives an annual rating to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans (Part D), based on categories such as: Customer service * Management of Member Complaints * Quality of care *Preventative Services * Plan Responsiveness * Managing Chronic Conditions

Plans are rated as follows….
5-star: Excellent
4-star: Above Average
3-star: Average
2-star: Below Average
1-star: Poor

In 2022 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans saw a huge boost in performance with 68% of MA-PD (Medicare Part C) plans rated 4+ Stars which is a great thing! Another thing to know is that if a plan in your area has five stars, you get a Special Election Period (SEP) to enroll in that plan.

Even though the star rating is important, it’s not the end all of your coverage. In order for the plan to be the best fit for you your doctors and hospital must be in the network (unless you’re willing to change your medical team), it includes prescription drug coverage and that your particular drugs are covered under the plan. Don’t be fooled into thinking every prescription is. Keeping these things in mind, it’s always better to work with a local agent to make sure every aspect of the plan you’re looking for meets your individual needs.
​
Want to know more about the 5-Star plans available in Calcasieu Parish? Give our licensed and knowledgeable agent a call: 337-310-2253

Tommy Curtis and Staff

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

Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed Agent/Broker.

*By contacting us and providing information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, e-mail or mail to answer your questions and provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment time again and there is a new commercial on television where a “specialist” is giving a presentation on the basics of Medicare. He (the instructor) explains Medicare 101 and then discusses Medicare Advantage Plans. During the course of this 60 second interval one woman asks the question:

“How do I know I’m getting the best plan?”

Of course, the goal of this infomercial is to get you to call the number on your screen, but I’m here to tell you that just like celebrity endorsed sites, these actors know little if anything about Medicare!

The best way to know you’re getting the right plan for your individual needs and budget is to contact a local Medicare agent.
​
As with the cost of everything, Medicare deductibles and premiums have increased. Here is your breakdown for 2022….

We've entered into the Holiday Season and we, here at Curtis Insurance, would like to take a moment to say how much we APPRECIATE our loyal and valued clients. You are more than a "customer" you are a friend and we honor your trust in us to fulfill your insurance needs.

Our office is closed Thursday (11/25) and Friday (11/26) in honor of Thanksgiving and we certainly wish you and your family the most Blessed of days.

We will re-open normal business hours (9-5) on 11/29. 

Before you leave our site, please take a moment to review some of our blog posts that are extremely relevant to this time of year. Beginning with Medicare AEP and Holiday Safety Tips, we've a host of information to benefit you in so many ways.

​Be sure and check out our Stress Buster post. Hopefully it'll help you stay calm and serene during the hustle and bustle of the upcoming weeks. 

Soon we'll be entering into a brand-new year! Our article, Take Control of Your Life will give you ideas on how to start 2022 in a healthy place.

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving and Thank YOU...We appreciate your patronage!
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}

Medicare AEP officially began Oct. 15th and will continue through Dec. 7th. Whether you're new to Medicare or have been in the program for years, NOW is the time to review your coverage with your local agent. 

PLEASE beware of Medicare Scams and folks calling to "check or review your coverage." Unless the person calling is someone you know and trust, Do NOT give your information over the phone!

Most of the time these callers are telemarketers or agents out of state or out of your region and will change your coverage simply by your answers to the questions they ask. In many instances, these people have no idea, nor do they care, if your doctor or prescription medicines are in their particular network nor do they know if they are actually giving you the best benefits for your situation and budget!

Be even more wary of celebrities or sports legends touting Medicare benefits on  television or radio ads of which they are PAID endorsers who have no clue what they are talking about! Like the telemarketers mentioned above, the people on the other end of those "Medicare hotline" numbers have no clue nor do they care about your personal situation.

Why don't they care?

Because they don't know you.

Here at Curtis Insurance/Curtis & Associates, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and working with our clients to advise them on the best possible solution to their individual Medicare needs.

We understand changes to Medicare can be puzzling and we're here to help clear up the confusion and aid you in fitting the pieces of your Medicare plan together in the program that benefits YOU best.

So, give our Licensed and Trained Medicare agent a call today at: 337-439-7730

Until next time take care and remember ... we are here to serve you.

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}

Friendly, personable service is a rarity these days, even in service-related businesses. This is sad when you consider how important customer service is in the overall scheme of failure or success for businesses. In this article, we’ll look at a few ways to improve people skills and increase your level of customer service.

#1: SMILE! Your expression is the first thing a client will notice even on the telephone so turn that frown upside down and put a cheerful note in your voice. Act like you’re happy to be where you are and you want to help them.

We’re a quarter through 2021 – how are yo doing with your health, wealth and finance goals?

​Medicare Open Enrollment ended March 31st, but if you need to review your Medicare Insurance, please give us a call.

As the government moves forward in loosening Covid restrictions, don’t get ahead of them and keep your perspective. We’re all ready to get back to normal (whatever that means) but there is no sense in taking unnecessary risks with your, or your loved ones’ health.
​
Winter is losing its grip, Spring is upon us and people will be getting outside more and more. Be sure and practice fun in the sun and safety measures, especially while travelling. Review your auto insurance policy before you hit the road for that vacation and above all, enjoy yourself!

Know what else comes along with Spring? Rain! And with waterways and drainage blocked from the recent hurricanes, it is always a good idea to think about adding FLOOD INSURANCE to further protect your home. Rates have changed since our post in 2017, but are still very reasonable for Zone X residents. Besides, you can’t put a price on peace of mind.

Until next time, take care and remember…. Life is too short to stress over petty stuff.

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}