Testimonial “Medicare can be confusing, but Chris did a great job of explaining our options to us. He patiently answered all our questions and gave us knowledgeable
Medicare Annual Election Period is here: Oct. 15–Dec. 7. Your mailbox is filling up — both the old metal one and the inbox for your email. Medicare insurance companies and Medicare call centers from California to Pakistan will be pounding your phones into dial tone submission. Now is the time of the year when you can change your Medicare Advantage/Part C plan, so insurance agents from around the country and the globe are calling to switch you. They need to switch you from your current plan to one they offer so their company gets paid. The conversation will go something like this: “There are lots of Medicare plans out there. Which one do you have? Oh, that’s too bad. There are other plans that are much better. Let me tell you about them.” The conversation may sound as if the call comes from your current insurance company: “You have the HMO plan with us. Our PPO plan is much better.” Or “You have the PPO plan with us. This year, the HMO plan is way better. Let me switch you.” There are many tricks. That is how they switch you from me as your agent to an agency in Florida, California, or Calcutta. As a matter of fact, you will not have any agent. You will never talk again with the person who enrolled you in the new plan, even if they are still in the insurance business 12 months from now, which is not very likely. Another angle they use is: “Would you like $2,000 worth of dental coverage? Okay, sign here.” Then, the ex-client calls me to say they switched to a better Medicare plan with more dental. I remind them the old plan they switched from had $2,500 worth of dental. “It did?! Why didn’t you tell me,” they ask. I tell them I did — repeatedly — and all of the material from the insurance company says it, too. I don’t fault anyone for not remembering. I always ask my wife about the details of our health insurance through her employer. I only have so much brain space. I reserve it for other, more exciting things. My wife, Bev, is an excellent auxiliary brain. She remembers all of those details for me. MEDICARE MUSICAL CHAIRS
advice. We are so appreciative of Chris and Angie’s guidance, and we highly recommend them to anyone needing help with Medicare insurance.” –Paul & Terri P.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
This comforting risotto recipe is perfect for a cold night.
Ingredients • 2 cups butternut squash, cubed • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided • 2 cups sliced leeks • 4 garlic cloves, chopped • 8 sage leaves • 1 cup Arborio rice • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/2 tsp nutmeg • 5 cups veggie or chicken stock • 2 to 3 handfuls spinach • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
There are other tricks and ruses, but the goal is to switch you.
I don’t want to discourage you from responding to the insurance company with whom you have your Medicare plan. They call for many legitimate reasons to help you, but hang up and call us if you are suspicious. The most popular way to snatch up clients is through the dual Medicare plan advertisements on TV. During Annual Election, we get at least 10 calls a week about those commercials. Those on full Medicaid are eligible for the dual Medicare Advantage plans. With those plans, you get thousands of dollars toward over-the-counter (OTC) items, like the OTC you already get with your Advantage plan. Instead of $50 every quarter, the allowance might be $500 a month, which may also be used for things like healthy food, utilities, etc.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, toss squash with 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast until tender (30 minutes) and set aside. 2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and add leeks. Sauté until tender, then add garlic and sage. Sauté for 2 more minutes. 3. Add rice and sauté for 1 minute, stirring. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add 1–2 cups of stock to cover the rice and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add broth 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally until rice is plump (20 minutes). Stir in spinach, roasted squash, and Parmesan cheese.
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