Check out our May newsletter!
LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
May 2023
We Help You With Medicare.
NO ‘KNEED’ FOR CONCERN I Am Delighted to Have Pain-Free Joints
Most human beings are chronically autobiographical. In other words, we like talking about ourselves. Writing about my knee replacements has been the main topic of at least four cover articles. So, I guess I’m embarrassingly human. A monthly content deadline may have something to do with that! Since February 15, a few readers have expressed condolences about my knee replacements. Not at all! I am delighted to have had these surgeries. Any of my readers who have lived with chronic pain understand that there comes a time when you say, “I just want to get this thing done!” The pain goes from occasional to nagging to constant. Discomfort hindering normal activity progresses to stabs and spears interrupting even sedentary activity. A gasp, a wince, a muttered something, and we try to get on with what we’re doing. Pain avoidance becomes a full-time task, eventually settling into inactivity to avoid another flare-up. A collection of over-the-counter and even prescription medication bottles takes up more space in the cabinet. Activities once regularly enjoyed become fond if not bittersweet memories. And you find yourself in a physical condition and head space you never imagined just a few years ago. As a child, I remember old farmers in the neighborhood, limping and wincing, rocking from side to side with each step on bent legs. “He’s all stove-up,” was the local jargon for the condition one arrived at later in life, arthritic hip and knee joints beat up and worn out from a life of manual labor. There may be a lot that’s going sideways in our nation these days, but I so deeply appreciate that I have the freedom to decide to take a year and get my knees done with the full expectation of returning to physical activities I’ve not enjoyed for nearly 10 years.
I commented to Kathy the other day that having been through the surgery and recovery twice now, I’m really happy not to have to do it again! Twice in one year — even a lifetime — is enough! There are two local acquaintances of mine who talked their surgeon into replacing both knees at the same time. Wow! My hat is off to them! When I consulted with Joel, he strongly urged me to follow his example and get both done at once. “Get it over with quick,” or something like that. He’s my hero! But I chickened out and did them 50 weeks apart. So far, I’m delighted with the outcome. With the help of Kathy at Balance Wellness, I have so far achieved 128 degrees knee bend — nearly matching 130 degrees on the right. The other rehabilitation task following a knee replacement is to achieve pre-surgery straightening of the leg. I have some work to do there. My follow-up visit with Dr. Golden had a happy result. “Keep this up, and in six weeks I’ll sign you off.” Music to my ears! Again, thank you to every one of our clients. We appreciate the opportunity to assist with your Medicare needs and questions. Thank you also to the excellent staff we have here at Lyndon Thomas Insurance. Beth, Susan, Rod, and Aaron all work together so well; it makes my life so much better. I am blessed! Thank you to one and all!
–Lyn Thomas
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www.LT-ins.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
THE HEALING POWER OF PETS:
Companionship, Exercise, and Purpose!
Four-legged companions are cute, cuddly, and friendly and work wonders for our mental health and well-being! It makes sense, then, that the first week of May is National Pet Week, part of Mental Health Month. According to the Human and Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pet ownership improves the mental health of 74% of pet owners. In fact, studies have shown that caring for a pet helps relieve anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. It even boosts your heart health! The best part is that it doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have — feathered friends, rabbits, and even snakes can be great companions! Here are some of the top benefits of bonding with your pet daily. They provide companionship. Let’s be honest: Nothing beats having a four-legged friend greet you at the front door every time you come home! That companionship bond can boost your immune system while reducing depression. Also, having a buddy can help you to feel needed, wanted, and valued. Many pet owners even talk to their animals! They encourage exercise. Especially if you have a dog, your pet is sure to keep you active. Canines crave exercise, so while you meet their movement requirements to stay happy and healthy, you also get in your daily steps! Likewise, keeping a cat active requires your energy behind a laser pointer, feather wand, or other toys. They reduce anxiety. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, petting a dog helps lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. Pets live without concern for yesterday
or tomorrow. They only care about the here and now, which helps their owners feel calm and relaxed. Also, petting and holding an animal allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature, which can be soothing. They add structure and purpose. Pets are creatures of habit — they like to be fed around the same time each day, go on their morning or evening walks, and look forward to playtime. No matter how badly you’d like to stay on the couch, your pet will get you up and moving. A pet’s unconditional love certainly does more than just keep you company! Our pets can genuinely be little lifesavers!
MEDICARE PART B AND PART D PROJECTIONS
The most recent Medicare report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been published. • Of interest for all Medicare beneficiaries is the second column containing the projected (Intermediate Estimates) for the Part B Premium for the next nine years. • The Part B Annual Deductible column will be of interest to those who have Supplement G, as this is your yearly out-of-pocket responsibility. • The Base Beneficiary Premium column is of interest to those with a Part D Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) as this is the basis for the LEP formula. • The Part D Deductible Column informs those with a Part D plan containing a deductible of their annual upfront out-of-pocket cost for those included drugs.
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CA# 0D96309
1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
www.LT-ins.com
We Help You With Medicare.
SUDOKU While we have to work with what Medicare sends our way, Lyndon Thomas Insurance wants you to be informed and is always happy to assist with your Medicare needs and questions. This is great news for many people. However, we do see in the projections that results in higher Part D premiums as seen in the Base Beneficiary Premium column. Likely other effects may include deductibles being introduced to Medicare Advantage plans and higher copays during Initial Coverage. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 ... • Of interest to those with high prescription drug costs are the two right-hand columns. The “Initial Benefit Limit,” aka, Initial Coverage Limit is where the Coverage Gap (currently 25% of the drug cost) or “Donut Hole” begins. In 2025, the Coverage Gap is eliminated. The “Catastrophic Threshold” is a hard cap on out- of-pocket costs for prescriptions. After two years at $2,000, the Catastrophic limit edges reduces slightly in the following years. • Part D Summary for Stand Alone and Medicare Advantage plans: In 2025 and beyond, every Part D plan will consist of two stages: Deductible, Initial Coverage with a limit/hard cap of $2,000 out-of-pocket expense.
RHUBARB CRISP
Ingredients
Topping: •
Filling: •
1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats (not instant)
2 1/2 lbs rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• • • • • •
1/4 tsp cinnamon
• •
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Set rack in the center of the oven. 2. In a food processor, place all topping ingredients. Pulse until the mixture is crumbled to the size of small peas. Do not over-process. Set aside. 3. Into a large, shallow baking dish, pour the rhubarb and sprinkle with sugar and flour, coating the rhubarb evenly. Spread crisp topping over entire filling mix. 4. Bake until crisp is bubbly and the top is golden brown, approximately 30–40 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Enjoy! Directions
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PO Box 207 Ojai, CA 93024
INSIDE
CA# 0D96309 | www.LT-ins.com | 805-646-6409
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Haven’t Got Time for Pain
4-Legged Friends Who Benefit Our Health
Medicare Part B and Part D Projections
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Sudoku
Rhubarb Crisp
Create a Healthy Future
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO TAKE CHARGE
SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH INTO YOUR GOLDEN YEARS
Aging can bring some of our most exciting and rewarding decades. After years of working and saving a nest egg, we can finally retire. But as we age, it’s our health that quickly becomes our most prized possession. So, here are some tips to stay healthy and active as you grow older and wiser. Check in frequently. It’s essential to have regular checkups and screenings for health conditions and diseases. After all, it’s always better to catch something early than to find it too late. Fuel your body. Center your diet around fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy. Limit the frequency of eating processed foods, fatty meats, and sugar. Following these
guidelines reduces your risk of many illnesses and sets you up for a more active lifestyle in your golden years. Stay social. Those who do not engage in social activities tend to battle dementia and Alzheimer’s more than those who interact with others and form relationships. To maintain your physical and mental health, get out and mingle! Take your vitamins and supplements. While it’s always better to get your essential vitamins and minerals from the foods you consume, sometimes, that can be tough. Be sure to talk to a trusted health professional about taking additional calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to keep your body operating at its optimal potential.
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1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro •www.NewsletterPro.com
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