Lyndon Thomas Insurance Spring 2019

Lyndon Thomas Insurance

GAME-FULLY EMPLOYED Turning to Video Games After Retirement

MACRA CHANGES TO MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2020 Information about changes to Medicare supplement policies has been causing some confusion recently. Please do not confuse the “parts” of Medicare (A, B, C, and D) with Medicare “supplement policies,” which are identified by some of the same letters. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS (MEDICARE PART C) AND STAND-ALONE PART D PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THESE CHANGES. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) made a significant change to Medicare supplemental plans (also known as medigap policies). MACRA prohibits Medicare supplemental plans from providing first-dollar coverage of the Medicare Part B deductible for “newly eligible” beneficiaries on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Newly eligible individuals are those who turn 65 on or after Jan. 1, 2020, and those who become eligible for Medicare benefits for the first time due to age, disability, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Medicare supplemental Plans C, F, and High Deductible F (HDF) have traditionally covered 100 percent of the Part B deductible ($185 in 2019). For that reason, those plans will no longer be options for newly eligible beneficiaries on or after Jan. 1, 2020. WHAT’S HAPPENING TO SUPPLEMENT F?

The rise in popularity of game-streaming platforms like Twitch— a service seemingly only used by snarky teens playing under quirky aliases —has paved the way for a whole new generation of video game enthusiasts. They just might not be the type you had in mind. Clips and articles are popping up online showcasing how older generations of tech aficionados have taken to gaming en masse. Long gone are the days of grandparents calling grandsons in frustration to ask how to send an email. The current generation of seniors bucks the stereotypical ignorance of technology, embracing hand-held controllers and battle cries as they take on their decades-younger counterparts in the digital arena. One team in particular has stolen the spotlight of late: The Silver Snipers, bringers of destruction in “Counter-Strike” leagues around the world. The team from Stockholm, Sweden, took their talents to the stage of Dreamhack 2017, an esports tournament, where they battled it out against some of the world’s most skilled esports players. Their mission was simple: to show the world that gaming is for people of all ages. Each member picked up the game for different reasons; some played as a way to connect to their grandkids, while others did it to pass the time. One thing’s for certain: This alliance has turned into a hellscape for their opponents. With every team member being over the age of 60, the combination of BirDie, Windy, Knitting Knight, Teen Slayer, and Berra Bang — all gaming aliases — has proved to be a first-of-its- kind powerhouse in the growing circle of older gamers. As one member explained, the game is not just for having fun. Gaming has given the team a chance to connect and be a part of a massive worldwide community. The gameplay also allows for mental exercise. It offers teamwork challenges and improves cognitive function, multitasking skills, and reflexes.

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If The Silver Snipers are passing along one message, it’s that you’re never too young for an old-fashioned digital beat down.

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