Lyndon Thomas June 2018

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LYN’S LEDGER

Lyndon Thomas Insurance

June 2018

We Help You With Medicare.

The Road Ahead

G raduations have been taking place over the past several weeks. Across the country, at schools large and small, well-worn nuggets of wisdom are being shared with graduates, a common one being, “You have your whole life ahead of you.” While this is true for the graduates, wouldn’t we, from the vantage point of being several decades older, also caution how quickly the time flies? Given my activity in the Medicare realm, some of my favorite people are 64-year-olds. My desire is to assist them with the transition from no health care coverage or often expensive coverage to the benefits accorded by Medicare. Some are just delighted to get their Medicare and see their health care coverage increase while costs go down. Others are more disturbed by the fact that they’re turning 65, with comments ranging from “How did this happen?” to “I didn’t plan on this happening so soon.” When I sold my first Medicare supplement policy in 2003, I never thought of Medicare in relation to me. Now the age of 65 and Medicare are quickly growing larger in my windshield. How fast time flies! Almost without realizing it, we transition from having our entire lives ahead of us to making the most of the years we have left. I have written often about my parents and the blessing they are to my family and me. As Mom’s Parkinson’s disease gains ground, each time I talk with her on the phone is

more precious than the last. In late April, things weren’t looking good, so as soon as we were able to, my family and I took the opportunity to travel to South Dakota for a visit in May. We had a wonderful time with Mom, Dad, my brother, and his family. Mom was stronger and was herself again. We enjoyed meals with 11 at the table together and many conversations about things that happened long ago and more recently. Nonetheless, our conversations included “long-term care policy elimination days” and “hospice.” These are difficult words that represent realities we would rather not think about. Years ago, when we planned and insured for these days, they seemed so far away, and now here they are. What a joy it is to have the time together. Mom and I read 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5 together, verses that give such comfort and assurance. The visiting nurses are such sweethearts; we’re so glad they’ve become a part of her life. Mom’s primary caregivers are Dad and my sister-in-law, Selena. They are simply the best. Some of my clients have traveled this difficult road ahead of me. Advice is welcome. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.

Here’s the family last month.

–Lyn Thomas

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Lyndon Thomas Insurance

IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION INMINUTES HowMeditation Helps You Maintain Brain Health

Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain— the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age. THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long-time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. THE HIPPOCAMPUS Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus. THE AMYGDALA Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?

Newsletter Feedback SEND US YOUR MEDICARE QUESTIONS. If you have a Medicare or Medicare coverage question you would like Lyn to answer, let us know! Email or text us your questions and we’ll answer them in an upcoming edition. LYN’S LEDGER IS ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH EMAIL IN HTML FORMAT. If you would prefer to receive Lyn’s Ledger in this way, text “Electronic” to 805-798-3245 or email Lyn@LT-ins.com along with your name and “Electronic” in the subject line.

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We Help You With Medicare.

NO MORE PART-D DONUT HOLE IN 2019

coverage gap a year early. Beginning in 2019, Part D members will pay copays in Initial Coverage, as has always been. Then, if the member reaches the Coverage Gap, they will pay 25 percent of the cost of prescriptions all the way through to the Catastrophic Stage. The difference is made up by certain drug manufacturers who will pay 70 percent of the cost of brand drugs in the gap, which is up from the 50 percent it had been since 2010. So there is some good news along the way! Now the only donut holes are the tasty ones at your favorite baker.

The majority of Medicare beneficiaries who use a Part D prescription drug program do not reach the coverage gap or “donut hole.” But for those who do, it is painful to the pocket book. Passed in 2010, the Affordable Care Act began shrinking the coverage gap to where, in 2018, if a member’s total drug cost (copays plus the balance of cost paid by the plan) reaches $3,750, the amount paid by the member is now 35 percent for brand drugs and 44 percent for generics.

The goal of the ACA for closing the coverage gap was 2020. Legislation passed by Congress earlier this year closed the

SUDOKU

SPICY CHIMICHURRI GRILLED CHEESE

Add a nutritional punch and plenty of flavor to this classic American dish by swapping out white bread and processed cheese for something a little more creative.

Ingredients

For chimichurri • 2 jalapeños •

1 ripe avocado, cut into slices 2–4 ounces fresh mozzarella 4 slices whole- wheat bread

• • •

2 tablespoons olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

2 teaspoons honey

4 green onions 1/2 cup cilantro

For sandwiches •

• •

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic

Instructions

of bread. Place a layer of avocado and cheese between slices. 3. Cook gently until bread is crisp and cheese is melted. 4. Slice and serve.

1. Pulse chimichurri ingredients in a food processor or blender until combined but not pureed. Add extra olive oil as needed. 2. Heat grill or skillet to medium-low. Brush outsides of bread with olive oil. Smear 1 tablespoon chimichurri on each slice

[inspired by naturallyella.com]

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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The RoadAhead

HowMeditation Can Help the Aging Brain Newsletter Feedback No More Part-D Donut Hole in 2019 Spicy Chimichurri Grilled Cheese

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Cut Down on Flight Costs With This Simple Rule

THE BEST TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT SAVE BIG ON AIRFARE WITH THIS SIMPLE RULE

given trip go up or down an average of 71 times, about $33 each shift. When you purchase your flight is nearly as important as where you’re going. But how do you choose a booking window that will maximize your savings? According to the CheapAir.com study, in which they evaluated 921 million airfares, the best time to book is 21–105 days in advance of your flight, on average. If you want to get even more specific, try to book 55–75 days out, and book on a Sunday. Many travelers swear by Tuesday and Wednesday bookings, but as Condé Nast Traveler reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on data from billions of flights. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to actually fly, though. The CheapAir.com study also pinpoints the absolute best windows for specific seasons: 54 days for winter trips, 75 days for spring, 76 days for summer, and 45 days for fall. Of course, these are averages, but if you stick to these rules and check fares regularly on sites like Kayak.com, SkyScanner.com, Momondo. com, and on the handy app Hopper, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting close to the best price possible.

In case you haven’t noticed, traveling is expensive . It can feel like you’re signing away your soul when you sit down to plan a vacation. But when it comes to flights, there’s good news: They’re getting cheaper!

According to a 2017 report published by online travel company ODIGEO, long- distance trips across Europe fell 7 percent last year. Luckily, the same trend is reflected in North American airlines as they engage in a price war to woo a growing base of ultrafrugal travelers.

Still, a $600 summer flight to Honolulu isn’t exactly pocket change. What’s worse, flight prices are slippery; CheapAir.com’s 2017 Annual Airfare Study determined that the fares for any

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216-B E. Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023

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