​In 1999 President Bill Clinton proposed that prescription drug benefits be added to Medicare and this was accepted and added President Bush with the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Initially this was supposed to be optional coverage, however, if you do not get a Part D (drug) plan when you are initially eligible but decide to later, you may be subject to a Part D Late Enrollment Penalty.  This LEP is based on a percentage of the national average for drug plans and imposed for the rest of your life. Exceptions may apply if you’ve had creditable drug coverage through an employer/group plan.

Many people who don’t take prescription drugs at the time they sign up for Medicare A and/or B, will decline to get a Part D plan feeling it is money wasted. However, when their health changes and they are prescribed any type of maintenance drugs (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) they are surprised to find they are subject to this penalty. This is why it is important to speak to a local, licensed Health Insurance agent to help you navigate your options.

There are two ways to get a Part D drug plan:
Purchase an individual / stand-alone plan in conjunction with your traditional Medicare coverage, Medicare Supplement OR join a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription coverage (MAPD).

There are four stages to Medicare Part D:
Deductible Stage where the insured is responsible for up to $445 depending on the individual plan. Many companies impose this deductible on Tier 3-5 drugs in lieu of Tiers 1 & 2 which are normally the cheapest prescriptions one would take.

Initial Coverage Stage comes into play once the deductible is met. The insured and insurance company (combined) pay the full cost for prescriptions up to $4130 after which the insured falls into the coverage gap otherwise knows and the “donut hole.”

In the Coverage Gap Stage or donut hole, the insured pays 25% of the cost of the drugs until his/her MOOP (maximum out of pocket) reaches $6550 after which the insured falls into the Catastrophic Stage. While in the Gap Stage, only your out-of-pocket costs contribute toward the catastrophic stage.

During the Catastrophic Stage of your Part D Medicare coverage, you will pay $3.70 for generic and $9.50 for brand name drugs.

The Part D coverage is based on an annual/calendar year.

If you are new to Medicare, you may be wondering what the Tiers are. T1 are Preferred Generic Drugs, T2 Generic drugs, T3 are Preferred Brand name drugs, T4 are Non-Preferred Drugs and T5 are Specialty drugs. Again, this is where a licensed Health Insurance agent is your best friend!

For more information on Medicare in general, check out our FAQ and get up to date on Medicare changes for 2021 HERE.

If you’re in need of a licensed Health Insurance, give us a call: 337-439-7730
 
Until next time, we here at Curtis Insurance / Curtis & Associates wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Blessed New Year.
 
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}

Well, August is half over and it’s hot, hot, hot! To say it’s been quite a year, is an understatement, yet, here we are…
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Summer is drawing to an end and kids are returning to school so, please be careful of those young drivers out there! There’s still plenty of fun in the sun to be had though, so check out our safety tips. 

Hurricane season is nearly half over but we’re not out of the woods yet. If you haven’t reviewed your Home Insurance policy, now would be a good time to do so. Now is also a good time to get that Flood policy in place. There is a standard 30 day wait on flood insurance, so don’t put it off any longer – give us a call today!

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} ​

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.

Last year about this time, we talked about Insurance and Patriotism. Memorial and Flag Day have recently passed, and Independence Day is right around the corner so I thought this would be a good time to speak to you about Veterans and Medicare and Medicare for Veterans.

Before we get into that, do you know the history behind Flag Day?
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June 14th is the anniversary of the adoption of the stars and stripes as official flag in 1777. After three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. In 1949 President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th as National Flag Day.

Amazing isn’t it that our government allows this day to be a Federal Holiday, although all Federal establishments may not honor it?
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Now let’s talk about Veterans and Medicare….