​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.

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.

When dealing with Medicare clients, the question is often asked whether or not they should have a Medical Power of Attorney and when is the best time to get/do one. Depending on where you live, medical POAs might also be called: Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Advance Directive, Advance Healthcare Directive or Medical Power of Attorney Directive.
​
​Before we address the benefits of having a Medical Power of Attorney, let’s establish what a MPOA is not….

As a newly licensed agent years ago, I learned the definition of Insurance is “shared risk.” This was never more demonstrated than when Hurricane Rita hit in 2005. I remember that time like it happened yesterday. The stress of evacuating with a husband only weeks out of the hospital from having a defibrillator installed to keep his impaired heart working. Coming home to damages to my house, loss of food and electricity, no one to fully assess our loss (remember my husband couldn’t climb a ladder or anything). Thankfully when I called our insurance company at the time, and explained our situation, they sent someone out right away and we were treated very well. Then there was the delight of returning to work and having to hop from one desk to another because the office was inundated with claims agents. They worked long hours in the office and in the field, checkbook in hand, anxious to help our valued clients get through one of the biggest and meanest hurricanes to hit the Lake Area in nearly fifty years.

Back in Feb. 2021 we announced that we were no longer selling Home, Mobile Home or Dwelling (Landlords) policies due to changes in staff at our office. We did, however, promise to continue to service the policies we maintained.

Recently it has come to our attention that two of our Home Insurance Companies, Lighthouse Excalibur AND Southern Fidelity have been forced into liquidation by the Insurance Commissioner of Louisiana and Florida.

Lighthouse policies expired at 12:01 am today (June 21st, 2022) and Southern Fidelity policies will expire at 12:01 am July 15th, 2022.

In an effort to keep our promise of service to you, we suggest you contact the agent of your choice IMMEDIATELY, so they have time to shop for the best policy to fit your individual needs. If you haven't already replaced your Lighthouse policy, get your coverage in place before a storm develops and they are under binding restrictions!

OR

Contact one of the following Independent Insurance Agents and mention us!

Horace Mann Insurance Co (Ask for Stephanie)
Address: 226 W Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 439-1346

Kelly Lee Insurance
Address: 3205 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 656-2890

Advanced Protection Insurance Agency
Address: 1435 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy, Lake Charles, LA 70611
Phone: (337) 905-8585

If we are your agent for Lighthouse OR Southern Fidelity and your new agent needs anything from us (ex: a prior dec page or claim information) have them reach out to us.

*Please remember Home or Dwelling insurance does NOT cover flood! That is a separate policy.*
​
Wishing you the best in finding new coverage.
Tommy Curtis and Staff

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.