​Spring is in the air and we’re almost through the first quarter of 2023. How are you holding up in respect to the resolutions and goals you set for this year?

In previous posts we’ve shared Stress Busters, ideas on Taking Control of Your Life and how Healthy Acts of Kindness Benefit You.

Today we’re going to share an article on creating balance in your life written by our former staff member Pamela S. Thibodeaux but before we do, we’d like to remind the ​Medicare Recipients out there that Medicare OEP (which allows you a one-time change in your MA plan) ends on March 31st so if you’re not happy with the Medicare Advantage plan you chose for 2023, contact our Medicare Agent, Connie Driskell today at: 331-310-2253. 
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Continue reading for Simple Ways to Create Balance in Your Life...

Because Medicaid eligibility is based on income in ratio to the number of family members, people roll on and off the plan accordingly—usually on an annual basis. However, due to the pandemic in 2020, our Government passed the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act which increased the federal share of states’ Medicaid costs. This helped to stabilize state budgets and offset the healthcare costs states incurred in response to the pandemic. This also allowed thousands of families to have health coverage that may not have had it otherwise.

​On December 29, 2022, Congress signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CCA) that ends the continuous enrollment provision set in 2020 effective March 31, 2023.

If you’ve been on Medicare for any length of time or have worked in the Medicare Insurance industry, you know that nearly every time Social Security has a Cost of Living Increase, your Medicare Part B premium goes up.

Well, not this year!

According to CMS.gov, the 2023 Medicare Part B premium will decrease from $170.10 in 2022 to $164.90. That’s $5.20 added to your Social Security check every month! ​

Well, it's that time of year again.... Time to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ended on December 7th but OEP (Open enrollment period -which allows you a one-time change in your MA plan) opens January 1st through March 31st.

If you're turning 65 in Jan, February or March 2023 or getting Medicare due to disability and/or Medicare & Medicaid, and you haven't already set up your Medicare Insurance plan(s) contact our Licensed Medicare Agent today.

We will be closed on December 26th and January 2nd in observance of Christmas and New Year's but look forward to meeting your Auto, Recreational Vehicle and Medicare needs in 2023.

Until next time.... Take care and enjoy a Happy & Blessed Holiday Season!
Tommy Curtis and Staff


Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available for informational purposes only.
 
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.

​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.
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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.
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As with the cost of everything, Medicare deductibles and premiums have increased. Here is your breakdown for 2022….