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through Perkin’s training together. We would always try to schedule so we worked together on the weekends. Herb was also in the jazz band at Bryan. He played trumpet. I was in the jazz band at South. I played saxophone. Herb also had a colossal motorcycle — a Yamaha 750. At the time, that was a powerful bike. One day, Herb showed up at my house with the Yamaha to take me for a ride. I can’t remember why, but I was grounded so that I couldn’t go with him. He said we would do it another time, and he rode off.
Herb ended up head-on with an oncoming car. The car killed the passenger instantly, but Herb lingered into the night, dying in the morning.
Herb always joked about not wearing a helmet.
I remember standing near our phone in stunned silence after I hung up. I didn’t know what to do or say. I don’t think I told my parents until it was time to go to the funeral. I was in such shock. In an instant, my naive teenage bubble was instantly burst. Life wasn’t all gumballs and girls anymore. My mind couldn’t help but propel me towards thoughts about the shortness and seriousness of life. Herb was 18 when he died. I’m 59 now, and he still has a presence in my life. I started asking myself in a severe way about the next life and my readiness for it. It was one of many steps that moved me in the direction of God, faith, and sacred things. Years later, as a priest when I buried a teenager, I knew precisely the dazed stare of kids around their friends’ graves. Life is a gift. I try and remember that and live it each day.
The next day, Roxanne, a redhead I was trying to date, called me and said, “Herb is dead.”
I didn’t believe her. I got angry. “This isn’t funny,” I replied before hanging up.
After a while, I called Herb’s house to find out what was happening. Herb’s mother picked up. I asked to speak with Herb. There was a long pause, and she told me the story of what happened. Herb had left my place and picked up another friend. They went riding. He was racing with a car down a four- lane street. The street went from four to two lanes, and
HOW IS MY PROVIDER GETTING COMPENSATED IN 2021? THE FINAL PART OF THE ‘MEDICARE CHANGES IN 2021’ SERIES
We’ve discussed how the Medicare changes in 2021 will affect plans, available coverage options, and even budgeting for the past several editions. Today, let’s talk briefly about provider compensation — in other words, how will your care providers qualify for Medicare compensation? This can affect your options in the future. Provider Compensation Congress made significant changes to the billing process behind Medicare in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). MACRA changes how Medicare rewards providers for quality — instead of quantity or volume — inpatient care. It streamlines provider reimbursements through the Merit-Based Incentive Payments System (MIPS) and even grants bonuses for participation in alternative payment models (APMs). This is huge, but the change that gets the most attention is eliminating Plan F and C in the Medigap lineup. The plans completely covered the Part A deductibles and Part B co-
insurance, so beneficiaries did not have to pay anything aside from their monthly premiums.
Congress found the lack of co-pays and deductibles was an incentive for waste and abuse of the Medicare system. Starting in 2021, you can no longer purchase Plan F or C when you turn 65. Those who turned 65 before that period were grandfathered into Plan F and C. Your New Medicare Number By the time you read this, it’s likely no secret that the most noticeable change is that your Medicare number is no longer your Social Security number but a unique 11-digit number combining letters and numbers. Although everyone’s card should have been replaced by the end of 2019, I still have some clients who have their old numbers and card. If you aren’t sure how to update your number, it is a simple matter of calling Medicare for a replacement card (800-633- 4227 24/7). Please reach out to us with any questions.
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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