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September 2022
Angie’s Corner: RV ADVENTURES IN LINOMA
Most of you meet my invaluable and awesome executive assistant, Angie Armstrong, when you come to our office. She does a few things besides work at Omaha Insurance Solutions. During the summer months, she and her husband, Brent, camp on the weekends outside of Omaha at an RV park named Linoma. I'll let her tell you about their experience.
early for their Saturday show, and attendance was at an extreme low on that freezing Sunday when we excitedly signed for our awesome new camper! Yay us! I felt bad for the RV vendors with no crowds that weekend. Little did I know, I’d be feeling sorry for us instead! Less than two weeks later, homes and campers were destroyed in the big Midwest flood. The Platte River broke through at our camping spot into Linoma Beach. Linoma had to undergo a facelift, securing the banks, remapping, cleaning, and making major fixes to what the flood left behind. Eventually, only the front part of Linoma was available to camp for first bidders, and the lake was restricted from swimming that summer. Without water to jump in during the hot summer (though we know many non-sober camping friends who broke those rules), our nice, brand-new camper had to sit in storage for over a year. Then, along came the virus, first name corona. Linoma is located on Hwy. 6 and earned its name because of its location between Lin coln and Oma ha. The current owners hold Linoma near and dear, having grown up in the area. One of their family members informed me that Mickey Rooney once stayed in the lighthouse when he was in town to film the 1938 movie “Boys Town.” Linoma is open mid-April to mid-October, then campers and the grounds are cleared until the following April per flooding and NRD regulations. To lease a lot, a waitlist of those interested bid on the open lot during auction day. Profits from the auction go toward repair and upkeep of the lighthouse you see on Hwy. 6. The “N” now lights up for Husker fans driving by Linoma Beach. Thereafter, each bid winner has first dibs on their lot and pays only the annual lease of their lot. Linoma campers elect a team of voluntary representatives who help organize fun activities, holiday celebrations, karaoke, pavilion parties, fishing events, etc., for all to enjoy, yet keep the peace. Linoma’s popularity and entertainment for families has only escalated right along with the impressive growth in sales of RVs and camping nationwide. Here is a very interesting history of Linoma at this website: En.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Linoma_Beach.
–Christopher J. Grimmond
The 2019 Midwest flood and the 2020 pandemic have helped push RV sales into a multibillion-dollar industry. My husband traded our travel trailer for a fifth wheel at the 2019 boat show. That icy 2019 weekend shut the usually crowded boat show down
–Angie Armstrong
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
402-614-3389 • 1
5 EXERCISES TO IMPROVE BALANCE FIND YOUR BALANCE
Though we may not always think about it, balance is essential to just about everything we do in our daily routines. From simply getting out of bed, leaning over to tie our shoes, or even walking to the mailbox, we need good balance to keep ourselves steady while performing normal tasks. Know why balance is important. Balance is the ability to control your body’s position, whether stationary or moving. It is a key component of fitness that many people neglect while developing their fitness regimen. Balance training is a great way to help your body recognize where it is and control movements in a given space. When the body knows where its limbs are in space — known as proprioception — it is able to produce smooth, controlled movements with fewer risks of injuries.
Reaction time and agility are also improved with balance training. The body learns how to quickly correct itself but not overcompensate and has the ability to quickly change direction effectively and efficiently. Though balance training is important for everyone, it is especially important for those who have problems due to illness, weakness, or dizziness. It allows them to overcome stiffness or unsteadiness and to develop an awareness of body segments and how to align them. These exercises help with balance. Balance training involves exercises to strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright and improve stability. These types of exercises can be done as often as you like or even every day.
Consider trying the following exercises:
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Standing with your weight on one leg and raising the other leg to the side or behind you. Putting one heel right in front of the other foot, as if you were walking a tightrope. Standing up and sitting down from a chair without using your hands. Walking while alternating knee lifts with each step. Stretching and gentle movement as part of yoga or tai chi.
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Balance is essential to living a healthy, functional life. It’s important to incorporate balance training into your fitness regimen. That way you can decrease the risk of injuries and help move freely and confidently.
DOES MEDICARE COVER ELIQUIS? YES, BUT SOME ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE
Eliquis, or apixaban, is a blood thinner that stops enzymes called factor Xa from working. Blocking these enzymes makes you less likely to have a stroke, a heart attack, or blood clots. Many older adults
if you were to get Eliquis while in the hospital, Part A may cover the costs of the medication.
Private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, and the law requires them to offer the same coverage as original Medicare. But prescription coverage varies because they charge different out-of-pocket costs. In addition, if you have Medicare Advantage, you must use in-network providers and pay the plan premium, which varies depending on the provider and plan. Medicare Part D provides a drug formulary and lists medications in different tiers. The lower levels have medications that cost less, and higher levels have more expensive options. You can check the formulary of your medication before enrolling in a plan, which will allow you to pick the best option for your needs.
take Eliquis to help increase their quality of life. In 2019, it was the 52nd most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S., with more than 14 million prescriptions.
Medicare provides coverage for Eliquis, but it can still be expensive. So, how much does it cover? Are there any alternatives? How much does Eliquis cost with Medicare? A 30-day supply of Eliquis is $529. But the amount someone pays for the prescription depends on various factors such as the type of Medicare coverage, whether you’ve reached your annual deductible amount, and copayments or coinsurance.
Medicare Parts A and B usually cover costs for hospital visits (Part A) and medical services (Part B). So,
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Testimonial
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What are the alternatives? Although Medicare can cover a portion of your Eliquis prescription, it can still be costly. Here are some alternatives you can use to save money on your medication. 1. Use copay and free trial cards. One of the manufacturers of Eliquis is Bristol-Myers Squibb, and they offer copay cards that can reduce your out-of-pocket payment. You can lower your copay to around $10 per month; however, you must have commercial insurance, not Medicare or Medicaid, to qualify. 2. Buy in bulk. If you can, try to get a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply. Sometimes, you can save more money if you buy in bulk. It will also reduce the trips you have to make to the pharmacy — reducing the number of copays you have to pay. 3. Consider alternative prescriptions. Talk to your provider to see if there is a cheaper medication that will be equally as effective as Eliquis. Some alternatives can be Warfarin, a generic drug comparable to Eliquis, but the cost is as little as $4. However, the medication does require you to have your blood regularly tested, and it limits your dietary options. Other options are Pradaxa, Xarelto, and Savaysa. These prescriptions don’t have generic alternatives but are more affordable than Eliquis. 4. Apply for patient assistance programs. These programs are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and can help some people get Eliquis at little to no cost. But there are requirements you must meet to be eligible. Patient assistance programs help those on a limited income and those who don’t have health insurance coverage (or underinsured coverage). If you have questions about what your Medicare plan covers, how to save money on your Eliquis prescription, or need more information about assistance programs or other alternatives, don’t hesitate to call your friends, the licensed agents at Omaha Insurance Solutions. We will be happy to assist you and ensure all of your needs are met.
“Having just experienced the Medicare sign- up process, I highly recommend you reach out to Chris for an education on the process. He is a real professional and can provide you with insights into several alternatives.” – Stan C.
Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
This sweet and savory appetizer is perfect for the transition between summer and fall. Ingredients • 4 sweet potatoes • 2 cups seedless red grapes
• 4 oz goat cheese, divided • 2 tbsp honey, plus additional for drizzling • Pinch of cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 1/4 tsp salt, plus a pinch • 1/4 tsp pepper, plus a pinch
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. With a fork, poke holes in potatoes. Tightly wrap each in aluminum foil. 3. On a baking sheet, place potatoes and roast for 45–60 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove and unwrap foil. 4. With a knife, slit each potato down the middle. 5. Increase oven to 450 F. 6. On a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle the grapes with grapeseed oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes. 7. Using a spoon, remove sweet potato flesh while keeping shape intact. 8. In a large bowl, mash sweet potato flesh with 3 oz goat cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and honey. 9. Scoop filling back into potatoes. Top with remaining goat cheese, grapes, and drizzled honey.
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INSIDE This Issue
Angie’s Adventures in Linoma
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Balance Training Key to Quality Movement
Save Money on Your Eliquis Prescription!
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Testimonial
Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
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The Insane Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon
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The Crazy Olympic Marathon of 1904 It’s Unbelievably True!
In 1904, the year of America’s first Olympics, the men’s marathon was a bizarre spectacle to behold. In fact, it was likely the most jaw-dropping event ever in the history of the Olympic Games. On
With temperatures of roughly 104 degrees F and 90% humidity, a rigorous 24.85-mile course with seven hills was a bit much for competitors. Not to mention, support cars were churning up dust, leaving it behind for the runners to inhale, and they only had two water stations available
confessed he had gotten so tired that he accepted a ride from one of the cars along the way, so he was disqualified. Thomas Hicks, the true winner, was struggling with just 7 more miles to go. His fans on the sidelines provided him with a secret energy booster mix — a concoction containing strychnine (rat poison), brandy, and egg whites. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was hallucinating. And the fourth-place winner from Cuba wore dress pants and shoes for the entire race (because he lost his money gambling in New Orleans on his way to St. Louis and arrived after hitchhiking with nothing but the clothes on his back!). This 1904 Olympic marathon went down in history as the most bizarre and wildly entertaining race. Luckily, but surprisingly, nobody died!
that hot, sweltering summer day in St. Louis, MO, only 14 of the 32 Olympic competitors crossed the finish line on what was deemed the most difficult course anyone was ever
before the halfway mark — and none in the second half! Even seasoned runners were not up to this crazy course!
asked to undertake. Thomas Hicks, the American who actually came in first, received the slowest time of all of the Olympic marathons since 1896. But why was this one so tough?
Three hours and 13 minutes after the marathon
began, Fred Lorz, who had ridden a third of the course in a car,
crossed the finish line. He was about to be adorned with a floral wreath when he
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