We Help You With Medicare.
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agent. Besides, back then, the whole AHIP certification process was just getting started and was about half of what it is today. Like the frog in the kettle, the water just keeps getting warmer, and since I’m used to it, I keep adjusting. 2. I’m in the business of Helping People with Medicare and will do so as a “full service” agent. From time to time, I receive a much appreciated referral from other agents who don’t sell MAPDs. It’s not uncommon, however, for the Medicare beneficiary who was sold a supplement by an agent to then be instructed to go home and enroll themselves online in any old Part D Prescription Drug Program. Grrr!!! Unwittingly enrolling in the wrong Part D program could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year if the prescription needed is Non- Formulary. Or why pay $85 a month in premium while taking one generic if a $28 premium plan would suffice just as well? Here at Lyndon Thomas Insurance, helping people with Medicare is what we do, and the annual certification process keeps us informed, compliant with Medicare, and up-to-date for our clients. Referrals are greatly appreciated! Please don’t keep us a secret! Next month’s Lyn’s Ledger will explain the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period in detail. Never hesitate to call us for a personal benefits review or any questions.
for its contracted agents to know. Running 4–6 modules and testing each, it takes about two hours to complete each company’s annual certification. Currently I am part way through this step, so I have another 12–14 hours of company certs to go. In mid- to late-September come the online or face- to-face benefit trainings for several of these companies. I’ll write off travel expenses to such far away and exotic places as Burbank, Santa Barbara, and Bakersfield to accomplish these meetings. As the old saying goes, “no pain, no gain,” or perhaps I’m suffering from a touch of Stockholm syndrome, but I actually enjoy and benefit from the knowledge gained through the AHIP certification process. So you can see why an agent who is already busy and successful enough with other insurances may decide the AHIP and company certification process is just not worth it to sell PDPs and MAPDs. If an agent sells Medicare supplements only, the agent can catch their client in an easy sale when they turn 65 and don’t have to endure the exquisite agony just described. So why, Mr. Thomas, do you go through all of this? There are two reasons: 1. Back in 2008, when the MAPD company SCAN Healthplan hired me, I had no idea what was required. SCAN’s agent training program was superb, and they taught me the business well, standing me in good stead now, years later, as an independent
SUDOKU
GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD
If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu.
Ingredients
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1 small red onion, finely chopped
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3 cups green beans, ends trimmed 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Small bunch of fresh mint
Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions
3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
Inspired by Delicious magazine.
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
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