That their child is growing up fills parents with ​a mixture of pride and trepidation. True, having an extra driver in the home helps when it comes to extracurricular activities and quick trips to the grocery store, but the worry and fear of them on the road are real.

So, what are some things parents can do to prepare for their teen getting a driver's license?

​Spring is in full bloom and the days are getting longer. Kids are out running around and playing ball or throwing a frisbee in the yard. Perhaps roaming the neighborhood on their bicycle.
 
What they shouldn’t be doing is dragging the roads on a golf cart, 4-wheeler or any other ATV made for operation by a licensed driver!

And yet, we see this all the time.

Louisiana law states that all golf cart drivers must have a driver's license for safety purposes and that 4-wheelers and other ATV’s can be driven on the shoulders of all public roads and highways except interstate highways for the purposes of farm-related activities within a five-mile radius of your farm, provided that you possesses a valid Class “E” driver’s license.

According to a report dated Sept. 2022 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 3,000 have been killed as a result of ATV accidents between 1982 and 2015; 4 kids go to the ER every hour with injuries sustained in riding or driving an ATV. The Mayo Clinic states that children account for nearly one-third of all ATV injuries and one-quarter of ATV fatalities.

Another thing for parents to beware of is, if your child is riding his or her friends around on your ATV and that friend gets injured or killed, YOU may be held liable.

No one intentionally puts their or someone else’s child in danger. We teach them to be careful and obey the rules we put in place. But kids will be kids and they will test those boundaries. Therefore, if you’re going to disregard the law and take matters into your own hands with your child’s life, for goodness sakes, make them wear a helmet and other protective gear!

And be sure you have adequate life insurance on them in case the unthinkable happens.

Until next time, take care and remember one moment can change your entire life.

Tommy Curtis & 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.

​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. 
​​
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!

Last July we shared some tips with you on reconstructing your lawn after a natural disaster. After the hurricanes of 2020, as well as the ice storm and flooding of 2021 we thought the information provided would be beneficial to our readers.

​Today we'd like to expound on one of the topics mentioned in that blog post.

​Aerating is the process of putting tiny holes the soil of your lawn. This process allows water, air and fertilizer to penetrate the ground, encouraging better absorption of the things necessary for a beautiful lawn.