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MED I CAREBLUEPR INT.COM Health Matters
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020
It’s back-to-school season, and while the fate of school was unknown to us at the time of writing this cover letter in late July, this time of the year often evokes many memories for those of us no longer in school. For me, it has nothing to do with the classroom or books; this season always reminds me of the grueling days of football practice and the adrenaline of games. I played tight end through high school and college in Connecticut, and our seasons always began in August with triple workouts. This meant we were training three times each day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with few breaks. This was back when you could only get a water break if you earned it . And if you didn’t, you had to run even harder and prove you deserved water. Boy, if you don’t think it’s hot in Connecticut in August, then I would suggest sprinting 110 yards in under 15 seconds under the hot Connecticut sun, and then let me knowwhat you think! Looking back on it today, I don’t think nostalgia is the right word for how I feel about my football career. What really sticks out is how much running we had to do to prepare! The games were always a high point of the week. There was such a thrill, as a tight end, to come across the field to catch a pass, all the time not knowing where the safety was until the moment you felt the impact. The challenge was to hold on to the ball no matter what! FOOTBALL AND INSURANCE EXAMS Why the Fall Is Always a Season of Hard Work
To get to that point, we had to slog through grueling practices and strength training. I dreaded it every year, but playing football helped me pay for college and gave me great memories, like this little fun fact: Our high school quarterback was named All-State over a young Steve Young, who would go on to replace Joe Montana and lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl championship. Talk about bragging rights. These days, my shoulder pads and helmet have been hung up for good, and instead, I spend my fall days studying and taking tests. Fall through winter is typically a very busy time for Jason and me. Not only does open enrollment for Medicare begin in the middle of October — learn more about how to prepare on Page 3 — but we’re also studying and reading for our American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) recertification. We have to take two courses for the two-hour test, are required to earn a 90% to pass, and can only take it three times to reach that passing grade. And that’s not all. Insurance companies also have their own certifications. This means we spend at least 40 hours preparing and two weeks cramming for annual testing. It’s not the most exciting part of our job, but it is necessary. Football seasons and school sessions may be up in the air for many Americans, but there will always be a need for Medicare. If that means I have to spend my fall in “grueling” conditions, as I did throughout high school and college, in order to help our clients with their health care needs, then it’s worth it. “There was such a thrill, as a tight end, to come across the field to catch a pass, all the time not knowing where the safety was until the moment you felt the impact. The challenge was to hold on to the ball no matter what!”
Please don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have questions about open enrollment. We’re here to help.
Tim Hanbury
888-335-9498
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Attending regular doctor appointments because of ailments or pains not related to COVID-19 is a daunting task these days. Many patients may worry about the safety of going to the doctor, while others may believe it’s impossible to see the doctor as we continue to wage war on the pandemic. However, we want to encourage you to think differently. If you suffer from chronic or acute illnesses, are experiencing pain, or have other concerns, it’s still important for you to see your doctor or a specialty physician. Putting off this care can cause further detriment to your body and possibly have costly and dangerous effects. Plus, you don’t even have to leave your home! Medicare has expanded its telehealth options for those concerned with traveling to the clinic or hospital during COVID-19. Patients can communicate and schedule appointments with physicians and counselors through video and audio platforms right from the comfort of their own home. This may include video chat features or programs found directly on your physicians’ website. There are only two limitations to this process. The first is that this communication cannot relate to a medical need previously addressed by an in-person visit in the past seven days, and the second is the appointment cannot be about something needing medical attention in the next 24 hours. The cost of a telehealth meeting is no different than a standard appointment. If you cannot participate in telemedicine appointments, your medical provider should offer a list of regulations and restrictions designed to keep you and patients safe at an office visit. Contact your medical professional for more information on rules for in-person visits and to inquire about your options for telehealth. This pandemic is unprecedented, but it does not negate your need for continued care. Don’t put your health off any longer. If you’re ready to go back to the doctor and need assistance navigating what is covered through your Medicare plan, give our team a call at 888-335-9498. Telehealth Makes Health Care Access Easier and Safer Than Ever Go to the Doctor
What Our Clients Think!
“Very professional and knowledgeable.”
– Carol Reynolds, customer since 2019
“It was painless and Jason was very informative and answered all of my questions without hesitation. He is great to work with.”
– Wanda Flathers, customer since 2016
“Tim Hanbury was so helpful with this process. I can’t imagine going through this stuff without someone knowledgeable, like Tim, to help. Thank you, Tim!”
– Janie Yeargin, customer since 2019
MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
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It’s that time of year again! Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will kick off on Oct. 15, and enrollees will have until Dec. 7 to review and re-sign up for their Medicare Advantage or Part D Drug Plans. If you groaned at the very thought of enrolling again after last year’s headaches, we understand your frustration. Last year, the Medicare. gov system changed to the Part D prescription plan enrollment just weeks before AEP began, which caused many disruptions and delays in our ability to update our recommendations for you. In particular, these updates removed our ability to “save” prescription lists for clients, which meant we had to reenter every prescription again when a prescription was forgotten or missed. Other issues included inaccurate prices, difficult sorting or finding results, and confusion about what was covered. This year, we’re happy to announce we have new technology — not supplied by Medicare or the government — that will allow us to save prescription lists and solve other various issues the new platform presented. Our goal is to make this process as easy for you as possible. With that in mind, we want to encourage you to keep an eye on your email inbox or mailbox. We will be sending out materials for GET PREPARED FOR ANNUAL ENROLLMENT Be Sure to Check Your Inbox or Mailbox!
AEP, which will include a request to update your prescription list. We will send a digital request or mail request, depending on the preferences you have saved with us. We will use this information to help you review your current coverage and guide you through the options for continued, increased, or decreased coverage. While enrollment can be confusing and tedious, it’s the perfect time to evaluate your options and determine which plan will best suit your needs. Our team is here to help you make those decisions. If you have questions about AEP, please give us a call.
EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES
WORD SEARCH
INGREDIENTS
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4 medium sweet potatoes
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• • • • • • •
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes.
3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!
ASTER AUTUMN CHILLY
HARVEST LABOR LIBRA SAPPHIRE SEPTEMBER SQUASH
COLORFUL EDUCATION FOOTBALL
Inspired by EatingWell.com
888-335-9498
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Inside This Issue
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AUTUMN MEANS HARDWORK FOR TIMAND JASON
MAINTAIN REGULAR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
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FROM OUR CLIENTS
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ANNUAL ENROLLMENT IS COMING THIS OCTOBER!
EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES
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3 FUN FAMILYACTIVITIES FOR FALL
It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love.
them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/panning- for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard.
GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS
Get gardening.
Plan a fall photo shoot.
Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area.
It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.
Pan for gold.
Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of
Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!
3 Fun Family Activities for Fall
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