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LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
Aug 2017
We Help You With Medicare.
A First Time for Everything
FRONT ROWAT IAN’S WEDDING
A s a full-service Medicare insurance agent, I talk with clients about many significant life events. Turning 65, hitting retirement, and transitioning to the next stage of life are all major changes that tend to lead to reflection. While I’m not quite at the Medicare stage of life yet myself, I did experience a momentous occasion a few days ago when our son got married. He is the first of our children to marry, and we couldn’t be prouder! Parents have front-row seats when their kids get married, but I was closer than most. As a pastor, I’ve officiated dozens of weddings, but this time was a little different. Even though I know my way through a wedding ceremony, it’s a whole different story when you’re marrying your son and his fiancée. I have to admit that I was a little nervous, but along with that, so excited! Being asked to officiate was a great honor, and I think I did an okay job — we did get to the “Ian, you may kiss your bride” moment! Haley and Ian had been dating for about five years before their big day. They’re both humble, quiet 20-somethings, the furthest thing from ostentatious, so there was never going to be a huge party announcing their impending wedding. I don’t even remember Ian letting us know he was engaged. My wife and I did start to suspect that perhaps an engagement was in the works when Ian
showed his mother the ring! When it finally came out, we were all thrilled.
Ian works in the Information Technology Department at Clinicas del Camino Real, and Haley teaches biology and chemistry at Santa Susanna High School in Simi Valley. For their honeymoon, they are camping up the California coast and Oregon. I think that tells you something about their interests and personality. Having just turned 58, I’m a little late to the party when it comes to your kids tying the knot. My wife and I took an active role in the planning, and it was both stressful and exciting. We are grateful to her parents and our church family for helping make sure Haley and Ian had a ceremony worthy of their relationship. You’d have to ask them, but I’d say it came out pretty good. I may be biased, but I think this is the best wedding I’ve ever officiated! Before signing off, I just want to say congratulations to Haley and Ian. May your lives together be fulfilling and exciting, full of love, and infused with God’s grace. You don’t always know when a huge life event will come your way — unless of course, you’re turning 65 — but you can cherish those moments when they arrive.
– Lyn Thomas
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www.LT-ins.com
Published by The NewsletterPro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro • www.NewsletterPro.com
L yndon Thomas Insurance
MOVE ON THE CHEAP
Last month, I talked about the benefits of talking to a full- service Medicare agent. But admittedly, my services aren’t the best fit for everyone. Here are six reasons not to use Lyndon Thomas Insurance. 1. I’m still working and have an employer-provided group health plan. It’s wonderful that your employer provides you with the group plan coverage. However, there may be ways you can save money and improve coverage before you retire. So, you still might want to give me a call. Full-Service Isn’t for Everybody 6 Reasons Not to Use Lyndon Thomas
Moving can be a stressful experience. Buying or renting a home is expensive enough. But between the down payment or deposit and the cost of movers, the grand total can be overwhelming. However, with these tips, you can cut down on your moving costs. Lighten Your Load and Use Social Media One of the easiest ways to save money and time during your move is by selling and donating unused items in your home. And packing up and moving is so much easier when you have less stuff! “Take your upcoming move as an opportunity to make a little extra spending money when you’re decluttering your home,” says Linda Descano, women and money expert from Citibank’s Women & Co. An easy way to sell your unused items is by posting ads for them on eBay, Craigslist, or Letgo. Tips and Tricks to Make Your Move Less Stressful
2. I want to figure out Medicare on my own.
I applaud your persistence and can-do attitude. Medicare.gov is a great place to start. If your head begins spinning after taking a look at the complex, unique language of Medicare, I’m happy to paint a clearer picture.
3. I love reading junk mail.
Friends and family filling your mailbox with birthday cards feels great. Insurance companies doing the same thing with junk mail when you turn 65, not so much. I’ll help you move that stack of fourth-class mail to the recycle bin a lot faster.
4. I want to enroll with someone I’ll never speak to again.
If you take pleasure in being put on hold and speaking to a nameless representative every time you have a question, use a big company. If you want a continuing relationship with someone who cares about you, that’s what I’m here for.
Social media can be a great tool for getting your moving supplies for free. Make a post on your social media accounts asking for boxes and other moving supplies. People often have extras lying around. Tax Deduction If you’re moving more than 50 miles away, you can save your receipts for a tax deduction, says Adrian Nazari, CEO of credit and loan website creditsesame.com. But you have to keep a few things in mind. In order to receive tax deductions, your move must be job related, and accepting the job would have had to increase your commute by more than 50 miles if you had decided not to move. You also must be employed full time for at least 39 weeks during the 12-month period after you move. Lastly, your employer must not be covering your moving expenses. It’s true, moving can be stressful and expensive. However, following the tips above can not only save you time and effort, they can also save you a good chunk of change.
5. Living dangerously excites me.
Some people just want to fly by the seat of their pants. I take a few risks myself now and then, but not when it comes to medical care. Unless you don’t mind the risk of enrolling in an ill-fitting plan, why not consult with an agent with more than 14 years of experience?
6. I just really, really want to go it alone.
I admire your independence and determination. Keep my contact information handy, though, just in case you need a hand. Whether now or during the annual enrollment period in future years, I’ll be here for you.
2 216-B E. Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023 www.LT-ins.com CA# 0D96309
We Help You With Medicare.
The Perils of the Prescription Drug Program
HOW TO NAVIGATE MEDICARE PART D
“Clear as mud,” was a favorite saying of my high school algebra teacher. Many say the same thing of Medicare part D, the prescription drug program! Part D began in 2006, and these prescription drug programs (PDP) are offered by insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Since Medicare beneficiaries are not auto-enrolled in a part D plan, enrollment must be initiated. While part D enrollment is voluntary, those who enroll in Medicare and delay enrollment in part D without a qualifying reason may be subject to a permanent late enrollment penalty. Each PDP has five drug tiers with associated copays (preferred generic, generic, preferred brand, non-preferred, and specialty). All Medicare part D programs have the same four-stage structure; deductible (some plans do not make the member pay this amount), initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage. The month-to-month accumulation of prescription drug cost determines which stage the member is in. All accumulations reset to $0 on January 1.
Those with income and assets below certain thresholds who apply and qualify for Medicare’s extra help with prescription drugs or Medi-Cal may experience reduced copays with no coverage gap. There are two ways to get a part D PDP, enroll in a stand-alone PDP (often teamed with a Medicare supplement policy) or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan with a built-in PDP (MA-PD). Medicare prescription drug programs are definitely not one-size- fits-all. Premiums, deductibles, copays, and pharmacy access vary from one plan to the next. Helping you navigate the PDP or any other facet of Medicare is what we do at Lyndon Thomas Insurance. We help you understand the intricacies of Medicare and are able to enroll you in the plan that’s best for you. Reviews of your PDP during the annual enrollment period at no cost to you is a “value-added” benefit here at LTI.
SUDOKU
AVOCADO AND CUCUMBER COLD SOUP
Summer may be drawing to a close, but the heat doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere soon. Cool off with this light, cold soup and enjoy those last few sunny summer afternoons! Recipe inspired by kirantarun.com.
Ingredients
• • • • •
Olive oil
• • • • •
1 lemon, juiced ½ cup cold water
2 medium ripe avocados, halved
1 large cucumber, halved 6 stalks spring onions
1 clove garlic
¾ teaspoon salt
1 jalapeno
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot. 3. Grill vegetables until everything
4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. 5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. 6. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
is grilled or slightly charred. Once grilled, remove and place on platter to cool.
Solution
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
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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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AFirst Time for Everything
Cut Down on the Cost of Moving
Maybe You Don’t Need Me
The Most Confusing Part of Medicare Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup Ignorance Is Bliss… Is It Healthy?
The Effects of Negative News They Say Ignorance Is Bliss … But Is It Healthy?
It’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health. The Psychology of Bad News A study by Psychology Today found that people who watch negative news feel worse about pre-existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world — they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world around you. As you consume threatening news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety. Why Is the News So Negative? As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized, news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material such as crime and accidents. At a
basic level, for something to be “newsworthy”— negative or not — it needs to be the exception to the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world. How to Fight the Negativity It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at all. Advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories, or take a break from news altogether. That’s when no news can become good news.
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216-B E. Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023
Published by The NewsletterPro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro •www.NewsletterPro.com
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