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Club MED
October 2024
Navigating the Reality of In-Home Care WHAT MEDICARE DOESN’T COVER
We get a lot of phone calls about Medicare and how your Medicare insurance works. But one call is particularly tough, and surprisingly, it’s not about health insurance. The big challenge? Custodial or in-home care — something Medicare doesn’t cover. Imagine this: After a stroke, a fall, or a serious cancer treatment, everyday tasks like walking, using the bathroom, or even getting dressed can suddenly become daunting or impossible. It’s a harsh reality many face, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. It’s not just physically challenging — it’s mentally and emotionally draining for everyone involved. Here’s the kicker: Medicare and other health insurance plans are designed to heal. They cover doctor visits, medications, and therapies, but once you’re discharged from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, those “custodial” services — help with bathing, feeding, and other daily activities — come to a halt. And once you’re home, the need for help doesn’t magically disappear. Many people are discharged because they no longer need intensive medical care, but that doesn’t mean they can suddenly take care of themselves. Friends and family may want to help, but their own physical limitations, work schedules, and other responsibilities often make it impossible. So, what’s the solution when you can’t safely manage on your own? This is where organizations like BrightStar come in. Ryan and Samantha Major, the dynamic duo behind BrightStar, understand this struggle firsthand. They recognized a massive gap in care and stepped up to fill it. With backgrounds in banking and occupational therapy, they started their business to help those in
need, providing compassionate, registered nurse-supervised in-home care. BrightStar isn’t just any in-home care service; they’ve set themselves apart by offering unique benefits not often found with other local agencies: • No Minimums: Whether you need just one hour of care a day or round-the- clock 24/7 support, BrightStar is there to help without requiring a minimum number of service hours. • Registered Nurse Oversight: Every case is managed with the supervision of a registered nurse, ensuring the highest standard of clinical care. • Open 24/7: BrightStar is always available, any time of day or night, because health challenges don’t stick to a schedule. • Locally Owned and Operated: As a locally owned business, BrightStar is deeply committed to the community and offers personalized, neighborly care. • Joint Commission Accreditation: BrightStar focuses on clinical excellence, meeting the stringent standards set by the Joint Commission Accreditation, a hallmark of quality and safety in health care.
Skilled Nursing Care • Medication administration • Intravenous drug therapies • Catheter and wound care Transitional Care • Short-term support after surgery or rehab • Post-operative care Memory Care • Home safety evaluations • Daily activity reminders • Assistance with hobbies and tasks Ryan and Samantha (402-499-5796) are dedicated to helping you live safely at home, even when health challenges seem overwhelming. While we hope you’ll never need these services, knowing they’re available can bring peace of mind for you, your family, and your friends. While some insurance products cover in- home care, remember: Like all insurance, they must be purchased before you need them. No one can sell you auto insurance after a crash — and in-home care is no different. But that’s a conversation for another day! If you or someone you love could use a helping hand at home, reach out to Ryan and Samantha at BrightStar (402-499- 5796) . They’re here to make life a little easier, one day at a time.
Here’s what BrightStar can offer:
Companion Care • Light housekeeping, groceries, and meal prep • Transportation to appointments • Respite care for family caregivers Personal Care • Assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting • Medication reminders • Help with mobility in and outside the home
–Christopher J. Grimmond
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
402-614-3389 • 1
Essential Tips for Hosting a Successful Yard Sale TURN CLUTTER INTO CASH
Have you noticed a lot of clutter in your home? Do you want to do something with it before the holidays arrive and family visits? There’s no better
in the days leading up to the sale. If you plan to take Venmo or other cash apps for payment, consider printing out the QR code for shoppers to scan. This will help speed up the checkout process. Promote your yard sale. People will not stop at your yard sale if you don’t do anything to draw attention to it. Post on your local community page on social media, informing others about your garage sale. Put up signs at the entrance to your neighborhood and around the community. You can even create a larger sign to place in your yard to draw attention from passersby. Get help. You cannot run a successful yard sale by yourself. You need someone in charge of the cash box to take payments and make change and at least one other person to roam and talk to customers about the items, answer questions, and oversee the entire operation. Use family members, friends, or anyone else trustworthy and willing to help. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially if your dream is to have a profitable yard sale!
option than hosting a garage or yard sale. Selling your unneeded items is a much better solution than throwing them away, and October is one of the best months to set up a yard sale — weather permitting, of course. If you’ve never hosted a yard sale before, or your previous attempts didn’t bring in the profit you hoped for, don’t worry! You can implement a few effective strategies to ensure your yard sale is a success. Here are a few you can try before your next yard sale. Prepare beforehand. A common trap many fall into is trying to have a spontaneous garage sale. Without gathering your items, determining the prices you’re willing to accept for them, and putting up signs, you will struggle to sell anything. Get everything organized and prepped
Lower Medicare Drug Costs in 2025 What You Need to Know
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is making big changes to Medicare Part D, the program that helps pay for prescription drugs. One of the most important changes is a new $2,000 limit on how much you must pay out-of-pocket for medications each year. This will save money for people taking expensive drugs but could also make it harder for some insurance companies to keep their plans affordable. Why Are Costs Changing? Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, but it hasn’t always covered everything. With the new law, people with Part D will pay less when picking up their prescriptions. However, this will make it more expensive for insurance companies that offer these plans. As a result, monthly premiums — the amount you pay to have the drug plan — might go up. To help control costs, the Inflation Reduction Act includes a rule to limit how much the base premium can increase each year. In 2025, the base premium increase is capped at 6% over the previous year, although individual plan premiums can vary and might increase more or less. Key Changes Coming in 2025 1. $2,000 Spending Cap: A major change starting in 2025 is the $2,000 cap on
out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs. After you spend $2,000 in a year, you won’t have to pay any more for covered drugs. 2. Insurance Covers More: After reaching the $2,000 limit, your insurance plan will pay a larger share of drug costs, and Medicare will pay less. This aims to help keep the Medicare program stable. 3. No More Coverage Gap: The “donut hole,” a gap where people used to pay more for their medications, will be eliminated in 2025, making your drug costs easier to understand. Will Premiums Go Up? While exact premiums for 2025 haven’t been announced, the government is taking steps to keep costs manageable. CMS has introduced a program to help stabilize premiums, especially for stand-alone drug plans that aren’t part of a Medicare Advantage plan. Despite these efforts, your plan’s premium might still change. What You Should Do • Review Plans: During open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, review your options. It’s important to shop around because different plans will have different costs and coverage. • Review Your Coverage: Your plan from last year might not be the best option
in 2025. Check what each plan covers and how much it costs to make sure it meets your needs. • Seek Help if Needed: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the changes, ask for help from a licensed insurance agent. They can help you review plans and find the one that’s best for your needs. Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs: The new $2,000 cap on drug spending will reduce costs for many people. Premiums Could Change: With insurance companies paying more, your premiums may go up, but the government is working to keep increases reasonable. Open Enrollment Is Key: Use the open enrollment period to explore your options and switch to a plan that suits your needs and budget.
Important Points to Remember •
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These updates aim to make prescription drug costs more predictable and affordable for people with Medicare. Staying informed and actively reviewing your plan each year during open enrollment can help you get the best coverage for your situation.
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
Testimonial
“Chris and his staff have done a fantastic job for me. They are very helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive to any questions I have had. I am sooo very glad I made the change to go with this group! It is very hard these days to find people who believe in service and do a great job! Thank you so much! I appreciate all you do!” –Jan O.
When we think of court jesters, we often picture colorfully clad figures in pointed hats dancing and jesting for the entertainment of royalty. However, these medieval performers’ roles and responsibilities were far more complex than today’s caricatures. The Origins of Court Jesters We can trace the court jester’s roots to the comedic actors of ancient Rome. As the Roman Empire cracked down on these outspoken performers, many became traveling entertainers, sowing the seeds for the Middle Ages and Renaissance court jesters. Historical references to these “fools” became more common between the 12th and 15th centuries, with the term “jester” gaining popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. Jesters: Entertainers and Advisors While the jester’s primary role was to entertain royalty through stories, music, acrobatics, and flatulence, they were also often highly intelligent advisors. Jesters could critique political decisions and social norms under the guise of humor, providing valuable feedback to the nobility. They even accompanied soldiers to the battlefield, distracting the enemy and delivering dangerous messages. The Evolving Jester By the 17th century, as live theater was booming, jesters began transitioning from court entertainers to professional actors and comedians. Figures like Richard Tarlton, the beloved jester of Queen Elizabeth I, became renowned performers in their own right. As jesters found fame outside the court, they paved the way for generations of comedians, satirists, and performance artists. Though the court jester institution largely died out by the 18th century, the legacy of these multifaceted performers lives on. From Shakespearean fools to modern stand-up comedians, the spirit of the court jester continues to entertain, provoke, and enlighten audiences. So, the next time you see a fool in a pointy hat, remember the rich history and complexity behind this enduring archetype. The Antics of Court Jesters MEDIEVAL MISCHIEF-MAKERS
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
PUMPKIN PIE FRENCH TOAST
Ingredients • 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed • 1/2 cup half-and-half • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée • 3 large eggs • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts • 8 slices day-old bread • Maple syrup, to taste
Directions 1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat.
2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup.
402-614-3389 • 3
11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com Chris@OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
Code 82278_092524_AY
INSIDE This Issue
Navigating the Reality of In-Home Care Without Medicare 1
Boost Your Yard Sale Profits 2
Learn About Lower Medicare Drug Costs in 2025
2
Tracing the Court Jester’s Origins 3
Testimonial 3
Pumpkin Pie French Toast 3
4
The Cutthroat Competition Behind Coney Island
Coney Island’s Cutthroat Carnival The Rivalry That Redefined Entertainment
In the early 20th century, Coney Island was the beating heart of America’s burgeoning amusement park industry. Three rival theme parks — Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland — engaged in fierce, cutthroat competition that dramatically reshaped this iconic destination. A Tawdry Reputation Transformed Coney Island’s reputation was once far from wholesome. Known as “Sodom by the Sea,” it was considered a tawdry, vice- filled destination. That began to change in 1897 when Steeplechase Park opened. Its founder, George Tilyou, sought to bring clean fun to the masses, creating a lighthearted atmosphere exemplified by his iconic “Funny Face” caricature. Stealing Ideas and Underhanded Tactics Tilyou’s success soon drew the attention of rival park operators. In 1902, he lured away
the founders of the popular “A Trip to the Moon” attraction from the upcoming Luna Park. These underhanded tactics were common, as the parks constantly copied each other’s rides and acts to one- up the competition.
today. The parks’ relentless one-upmanship drove the rapid evolution of the amusement park industry, laying the foundation for the iconic destination Coney Island has become. What began as a vulgar locale became a glittering symbol of American ingenuity and the pursuit of wholesome fun. While the tactics of these rival parks may have been underhanded, the lasting legacy of their fierce competition is undeniable. The rapid innovations, technological advancements, and shifts in public perception from this crucible of competition continue to shape the amusement park experience today.
Rapid Innovation Drives Change This competitive spirit drove rapid
innovation at Coney Island. Over just a few years, the parks introduced groundbreaking new attractions like the Rotating Barrel, Thunderbolt roller coaster, and the world’s largest Ferris wheel. They transformed the public’s perception of amusement parks, elevating them from sideshows to immersive, technologically advanced experiences. The Birth of the Modern Amusement Park The era of Coney Island’s dueling theme parks was short-lived, lasting only from 1904 to 1911, but its impact can still be felt
4 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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