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Club MED
July 2023
Get to Know Angie Armstrong
THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
As our Medicare insurance practice grows at Omaha Insurance Solutions, many of you have more contact with Angie Armstrong, my executive assistant, than with me. You should know
Growing up, I was athletic. I learned to whip dodgeballs back at the boys at St Peter’s grade school, played volleyball and basketball, and was a fast-pitch catcher through my school years. I hated running, so I played tennis instead. This was to trick myself into thinking that I wasn’t really running. Surprisingly, I faced that fear in my adult years and was proud when running 10–12-minute miles in my late 40s with short legs. It was my release.
something about the lovely lady and proud mom who takes care of you.
The first thing you should know about me is that I'm very proud of my daughter, Alexis. It’s been a little over a year since she graduated with her doctor of occupational therapy from the College of St. Mary’s. Alexis passed the National Board exam and started her life as Dr. Alexis, Occupational Therapist (OT).
I put Alexis in sports and watched to see where she felt most natural. Carrying Alexis during my maternity, EVERYONE swore I would have a bambino! Even strangers would approach me. I was convinced that it was a boy by the time I was in labor. However, I bore the girliest girl, from sweetness to petiteness. So, I tried putting her into ice skating. She hated getting wedgies when they grabbed the back of her pants at practice, so that was short-lived. I coached my daughter’s softball team, but my
As pride and best wishes for her future fill my heart, so do unforgettable memories.
kiddo would dance out in right field and entice teammates to join her instead of focusing on the game. That lasted one season.
A drunk driver with two drunk driving offenses already under his belt crashed into us for No. 3. Alexis was 1 year old. We survived. We were in the hospital for days with broken bones, smashed teeth, lacerations, massive bruises, a totaled car, and weeks of sitting in pelvic fracture pain at work with no pain meds. I was a single mom living paycheck to paycheck. We never got our day in court or a penny of restitution. However, we have always felt grateful to God for surviving. Here is a funny memory. Alexis took martial arts for a while. Her instructor sat next to me in class one night. He told me that whenever he asked Alexis if she understood
Eventually, I realized cheer and dance were her things!
Lexi cheered competitively and traveled with her team to compete nationally, including trips to Florida for ESPN’s national cheer contest. She and her team came home with droves of first-place trophies and medals. The only way she would miss practice was to be on her deathbed, and they practiced a lot — sick or healthy! Due to the rigorous demands of dance and cheer, Alexis suffered lifelong injuries. Alexis underwent a spinal fusion of her L-4. She returned to CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
the choreography of a move, she would nod yes. He didn’t think she really understood. However, she always proved him wrong, including breaking the board on her first try.
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
402-614-3389 • 1
AVOID GAPS IN YOUR COVERAGE NEWEST MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY RULES
You don’t get Medicare because you want it. You must first be eligible for Medicare. Medicare eligibility doesn’t mean you
enrolled in month five, or three months after your enrollment month for months six and seven. Back to the July example, if you enrolled in August, Medicare would start in October; if you
office, sign up for Medicare and have it start the next month. You must wait until the General Enrollment Period from Jan. 1–March 31. This is just for enrollment. Medicare then does not begin until July 1, and you could only purchase a Part D drug plan and/or Medicare Supplement. No Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage until Jan 1. Not sure about the confused thinking behind such a bad rule. In 2023, when a Medicare beneficiary signs up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, Medicare coverage starts on the first of the following month. For example, if you sign up in February, Medicare starts March 1. You don’t need to wait until July 1 for Medicare to start. People constantly complain about how confusing Medicare is. Medicare rules — believe it or not — remain constant over time. These two rule changes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) are unusual because Medicare does not change much, but these new rules are a welcome adjustment to how Medicare operates. When you do not deal with Medicare rules daily, they feel overwhelming. I understand and sympathize. Also, understanding Medicare eligibility and the ability to enroll in Medicare is critical. There is no room for mistakes. You want to know how Medicare works, the rules, and the intricacies so you have the best possible Medicare health coverage. You can also just call us to speak with a licensed agent rather than trying to remember the Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment rules. We listen to your situation and provide the most up-to- date and relevant Medicare information.
can enroll in Medicare whenever you want. You can only enroll in Medicare during specific periods and under certain circumstances. These special times are
enrolled in October, Medicare wouldn’t start until January.
Now, when you enroll during the last three
called election periods, which are governed by different criteria and circumstances.
months, Medicare starts immediately the following month. For example, if your 65th birthday is in July and you enroll in Medicare in August, Medicare starts Sep. 1 instead of Oct 1. Or if your 65th birthday is in July and you enroll in Medicare in September, Medicare starts Oct. 1 instead of Dec. 1. This makes way more sense. It shortens the waiting time and prevents lapses in coverage from employer health plans ending on an immovable date. MEDICARE GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD ELIGIBILITY Over the years, a few people came to me who missed enrolling in Medicare when they were first eligible. Consequently, they were given the infamous Medicare 10% penalty compounded for every year without Medicare, but more importantly, their Medicare eligibility was affected. They could not start their Medicare health coverage until months later. Quite often, they had no health coverage for months. They are entirely on their own, paying for any medical services required from their own pockets. Imagine you’re 67 and decide it’s time to get Medicare. You retired a few years back but never signed up for Medicare. You can’t just show up at the Social Security
Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) , which expanded, streamlined, and made Medicare eligibility and enrollment easier.
Two change areas are relevant to those first going on Medicare in 2023.
THE LAST 3 MONTHS OF MEDICARE INITIAL ENROLLMENT You have probably heard you have seven months to enroll in Medicare — three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after your 65th birthday. This is referred to as your Initial Enrollment Period . The problem for years was a bizarre rule when you enroll during the last three months of this period, it affected your Medicare eligibility. The old rule was if you enrolled during the three months before your 65th birthday, Medicare started the month you turned 65. That remains the same. For example, your 65th birthday is in July. Your Medicare will begin in July if you enroll in April, May, or June. If you enrolled during the three months after your 65th birthday, Medicare would not start until two months later if you
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Testimonial
cheer for the rest of her high school years. She wanted to return to the sport that made her happy: cheering others on!
“I am crazy about working with Chris. If anything is wrong, he lets us know. Anything I want to know, I can call Chris any time. I am very pleased with the insurance Chris set us up with.” –Ted & Diantha R.
In college, my go-getter daughter showed the first signs of an autoimmune issue. Some symptoms mimic psoriatic arthritis and MS, but my 4-foot, 10-inch daughter battled through college. Alexis earned a B.S. in education with a concentration in exercise science from UNO. While in school, she worked as a tech in a rehab clinic with special needs children. Alexis found this to be where her heart belonged. However, she needed to earn a degree and license to do occupational therapy. Occupational therapy programs are hard and hard to get into. Alexis forged ahead and was accepted into the College of St. Mary program. And the year she started, the program was extended from a master’s to a doctoral program.
Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches
Then, BOOM! COVID-19 hit.
This mom could not have prayed harder as Alexis completed three months of fieldwork at the Methodist’s Rehab floor, exposed like others to the unknowns of COVID-19, and another three months completing occupational therapy home visits on the country roads of Iowa.
Inspired by Delish.com
This summer salad is both hearty and healthy!
Her final fieldwork was training staff at Munroe Meyer on sensory processing disorders and how to address them in recreational therapy activities for all ages.
Ingredients • 1 lb skirt steak, fat trimmed • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 tbsp light brown sugar • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • Kosher salt
• Black pepper • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 large lemon, juiced • 6 cups baby arugula • 2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced • 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
After three years in the program and passing the Occupational Therapist National Board exam, I took a gargantuan sigh of relief when the first paycheck arrived. Thank you, God! Alexis is in her early 30s, single, faithful, and developing a green thumb. Our journey was challenging. We pray Alexis will meet Mr. Right and have a Cinderella ending, fulfilling God’s purpose. What more could a parent ask for? Congratulations to all parents, family, and friends of graduates. Congratulations to all the graduates and the classes of 2023! May your families be blessed and enjoy sharing the many memories that led up to your incredible moment!
Directions 1. In a large resealable plastic bag or baking dish, combine steak, vinegar, garlic, and brown sugar. Marinate 20 minutes at room temperature. 2. Remove steak from marinade, coat with vegetable oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. 3. On a grill or pan set to high heat, cook steak until desired doneness. Rest 5–10 minutes, then thinly slice against the grain. 4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice to make dressing. Season with salt and pepper. 5. In a large serving bowl, add arugula, peaches, blue cheese or feta, and steak. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss.
–Angie Armstrong
402-614-3389 • 3
11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144 402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Code 774671_070623_MK
INSIDE This Issue
Getting to Know Angie
1
2
Medicare Is Changing for the Better
3
Testimonial
Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches
3
4
2023 Medicare Changes for Insulin
Have Insulin? Be Sure You Know These Changes!
Medicare has covered insulin for a long time and has undergone some changes over the years. The most recent change was The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) law the Biden Administration sponsored, significantly changing Medicare for 2023. The IRA law set a cap of $35 for insulin that Medicare Part D prescription drug plans offered. It’s important to note that these changes are only for insulin. Other non-insulin and anti-diabetic medications like Trulicity, Bydureon, Ozempic, and Victoza are not part of the price reduction program. WHAT CHANGES ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE PART B AND PART D? The $35 insulin cap is for Medicare Part B and Part D. Most people get their insulin medications through their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. However, many use insulin through an insulin pump. These pumps are considered durable medical equipment and are billed under Medicare Part B. Part B has a deductible and an unlimited 20% coinsurance. However, when paired with a Medicare supplement, like Plan G, the 20% coinsurance is wholly covered. After a small Part B deductible is met, the beneficiary pays nothing for the pump or insulin. Medicare
beneficiaries don’t have to meet the deductibles of $505 before they start paying $35 for insulin.
However, not every brand or type of insulin will be $35 — only the insulin plans Medicare carries will be $35.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD! Because the $35 insulin for Medicare beneficiaries is a new regulation, Medicare has allowed a special enrollment period for “Exceptional Circumstances.” The rule is only for those who are on insulin. You have a one-time opportunity to change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan from Dec. 8, 2022, until Dec. 31, 2023 . The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduces significant changes to Medicare from 2023 to 2025. It’s essential to be aware of these new rules so you can benefit from them and get the proper medications to enhance your life’s quality. If you have any questions or concerns about these changes or how to pay for insulin, please don’t hesitate to call me!
This is Part 1 of the changes for Insulin. Be sure to check out Part 2 in the next edition of our newsletter!
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