If you are reading this, it means you survived the 2024 Medicare Annual Election Period. Despite all the phone calls, emails, junk mail, and commercials, you didn’t have to check into a mental institution. And if you’re reading this newsletter, it probably means you’re still a client! 2024 was my 12th Medicare Annual Election, and it is incredible how much the Medicare landscape has changed in 11 years. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are significantly better than 10 years ago. The application process, service, and richness of the products are superb. Prices of drugs continue to climb for some medications but others have grown cheaper. The new legislation Congress recently passed promises to be favorable for the consumer. It will provide much-needed relief for those on high-dollar drugs. I appreciate your patience as Angie and I analyzed which Part D plan was the most economical for your mix of medications. For those of you on Medicare Advantage plans, the prescription drug part of your plan rarely results in a need to change plans. The standalone Part D prescription drug plans, however, do change quite a bit from year to year. That is why I want to review every Part D plan. I fear that you will wake up on Jan. 1 with a higher cost you didn’t expect, drugs that are no longer covered, and significantly higher drug costs. We ran over 600 prescription drug plans. I am sorry you had to wait so long for a response. I will be hiring another Angie soon because it isn’t possible to clone Angie. Even if I could, it would take mini-Angie 21 years to grow up and join the business. I’ve thought this through. For all those on standalone Part D prescription drug plans, remember that most of you have a $545 deductible, which means you must meet that deductible on your Tier 3, 4, and 5 medications before you get the lower copay. The price you pay in January–March may differ from the price you pay for the rest of the year. Call the customer service phone number on the back of your Part D card for explanations and answers. Unfortunately, every year, we lose clients. They succumb to the temptation to call the 1-800-free stuff. They talk with a licensed insurance agent in Florida, California, or Pakistan. They tell them about some great deal without giving the whole picture. Before they know it, they have verbally signed an application for another Medicare plan with another company by a licensed insurance agent whose name they can’t recall. It’s a sad irony that we get calls from ex-clients asking for help with their Medicare plan. During the discussion, we discover they are no longer clients on the plan we selected together. We can’t even give them the phone CHOOSING MEDICARE PLANS: WE CAN HELP OBSERVATIONS ON ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD
Max tried out for Santa’s dog sled team but didn’t make the cut. Too heavy. I told him to lay off the treats.
Cheesy Chicken Chowder
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Rich and comforting, this cheesy chicken chowder is the perfect cure for winter blues. Ingredients • 3 cups chicken broth • 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/4 cup butter, cubed • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup diced carrots • 1 cup diced celery • 1/2 cup diced onion • 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups whole milk • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups cooked and diced chicken
Directions 1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat and add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 2. In another medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour until smooth. Slowly stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat, then add cheese, stirring until melted. Add the cheesy mixture and chicken to the broth and heat it thoroughly!
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