A misconception about Medicare tends to emerge during the winter months. Whether it’s through a commercial or another promotion, you’ve probably heard people talking about how you have a limited time window for switching your Medicare plan. We’re here to tell you that’s only for Medicare Advantage plans — so unless you’ve just turned 65 or are newly eligible because of a disability, enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage plans only occur during certain times of the year. That isn’t the case for Medicare supplemental plans. If you’re a Medicare Advantage client, then your enrollment periods are very specific: Oct.15 to Dec. 7, but there are important exceptions to the rules. If you’ve turned 65, then your enrollment options for either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan extend to a seven-month period: three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after your birthday month. However, if you have a Medicare supplement plan, then you can shop and change your plan at any time. This means you don’t have a deadline, but generally, there’s no reason to switch your plan. However, a month before your annual OUT OF TIME? How Medicare Plan Deadlines Actually Work
policy anniversary, your Medicare supplement carrier will mail you about any changes to your plan. If you’ve received a rate increase, then you could consider shopping around. You don’t have to investigate all possible rates at every Medicare carrier alone — the Medicare Blueprint Advisors can help narrow down the best options for you. If you’re considering switching your plan, Advantage or supplemental, give us a call so we can talk you through the process.
SIMPLE PANCAKES FROM SCRATCH
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Everyone should be able to make pancakes without a boxed mix. This recipe is no-frills fantastic and can probably be made without so much as a trip to the grocery store.
INGREDIENTS
•
2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
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2 tsp baking powder
Unsalted butter or canola oil, to grease skillet
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar, optional
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a griddle or skillet to medium-low. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (including sugar if you like a sweeter pancake). In a separate bowl, beat eggs into milk. Gently stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. Mix only until flour is moistened. Clumps are fine. 3. Add some butter or oil to the skillet. If the butter foams or oil shimmers, the temperature is correct. Pour in a pancake of any size, cooking until bubbles form, about 2–4 minutes. 4. Flip and cook other side for 2–4 minutes. Serve warm.
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