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Club MED
May 2025
Why I’ll Always Be Loyal to Trader Joe’s It’s More Than Groceries — It’s Humanity in Action
Before my son, Mason, worked at Trader Joe’s, I was already a fan. Like many of you, I discovered this quirky little grocery store in California. What drew me in originally? Honestly … the cheap wine. Trader Joe’s sells a legendary bottle called Two Buck Chuck — real name Charles Shaw . At $1.99 a bottle back then, it was surprisingly good, so I’d buy it by the case. While loading up my cart with wine, I stumbled across other gems: chocolate peanut butter cups that blow Reese’s out of the water, frozen treats that defy description, and countless snacks that mysteriously found their way into our pantry (and waistlines). I used to avoid going shopping with Bev, my wife, because I hate shopping and always ended up sneaking bad-but-delicious things into the cart. But that changed when Mason started working at Trader Joe’s. Suddenly, I tagged along to see him in action. Mason stood at 6’4”, so he quickly became the designated “top shelf grabber” for customers and coworkers alike. He was always moving, helping, and smiling. The store was always buzzing, so we rarely caught him standing still.
Mason, the grandkids, and me hiking in Arkansas, enjoying his favorite pastime.
Then something happened that changed everything.
They kept sending gifts. They kept his health insurance active. That policy paid millions in medical bills. They didn’t have to do that. But they did. When Mason came home in November, requiring round-the-clock care, we entered a painful new chapter. Eventually, Mason entered hospice in March, and on March 30, 2025, at 12:05 a.m., Mason passed away in our arms. At his memorial — a hike in his honor — 20 Trader Joe’s employees showed up. Trader Joe’s donated a boatload of flowers for Mason’s memorial. The crew shared stories. They wept with us. Their manager, Pablo, personally told us what a remarkable employee Mason was. For three weeks afterward, Trader Joe’s employees (crew) took up a collection and paid for three weeks of fully prepared food from Clean Slate Food Co , which was healthy, nutritious, and delicious! Clean Slate Food Co , a restaurant and food delivery service, delivered the fully prepared meals free of charge to our door at the beginning of each week.
Mason had a severe epileptic seizure while working. He fell, hit his head, and started bleeding in front of customers. The ambulance came, and we braced for the inevitable: Most employers would quietly let someone go after such an incident.
But not Trader Joe’s.
They sent a care package to the hospital. When Mason recovered and returned to work weeks later, they welcomed him back without question. The following year, it happened again. He fell, bled, and was hospitalized. Again — Trader Joe’s sent treats and support. No judgment. No hesitation. Just kindness . Then came April 11, 2024. Mason didn’t return to work after lunch. Trader Joe’s called him. When he didn’t answer, they called us . Bev rushed to his apartment and found him having a seizure, unconscious, and bleeding. Another hour and we likely would have lost him that day.
That moment began a devastating year. Mason would never recover. But throughout it all, Trader Joe’s stood with us .
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402-614-3389 • 1
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
WHY ARE MEDICARE AD COSTS GOING UP IN
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, you might be wondering why it feels like things are getting more expensive in 2025. You're not alone! Let’s walk through what’s happening, why, and what it means for you.
WHAT IS A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN? Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are health plans from private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They combine hospital (Part A), medical (Part B), and usually drug (Part D) coverage into one plan. Most MA plans have networks of doctors and hospitals, and may offer lower out of pocket cost. But you still pay your Part B monthly cost and possibly deductibles, copays, or coinsurance when you use services. SO, WHY ARE COSTS INCREASING IN 2025? Medicare Advantage plans may lower out of pocket plans, but other costs like deductibles and copays are rising. According to eHealth, nationwide average deductibles for MA plans have more than doubled. And if you have a drug plan, your Part D monthly cost is about 24% higher than last year. This is certainly true in our area.
Even though all these costs have increased, payments to doctors from Medicare and MA plans haven’t. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), 2025 will be the fifth straight year with no pay increase for doctors under Medicare. When pay stays the same but costs increase, providers are forced to do more with less.
WHY DOCTORS DON’T LOVE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE. Here’s where it gets tricky.
Doctors often get paid less by Medicare than by private, employer- sponsored insurance. And many say Medicare Advantage pays even less than Original Medicare.
That means:
• Doctors earn less for seeing Medicare Advantage patients. • Administrative hassles are higher. MA plans often require "prior authorization" before covering treatments or procedures. • Some doctors opt out of MA networks or refuse to take certain plans. This doesn't mean MA plans are bad — many are great for patients. However, the system makes it hard for doctors and clinics to stay afloat, especially in smaller or rural areas.
What’s driving this?
• Inflation: Just like groceries and gas, medical care is more expensive. Doctors, hospitals, and insurers pay more for staff, supplies, and equipment. That gets passed on to you. • Post-pandemic demand: People are catching up on doctor visits, surgeries, and treatments they postponed during COVID-19. More people needing care means higher costs. • Plan design changes: To keep monthly costs low, insurers are raising other costs like deductibles or copays. Many drug plans are adding new deductibles, even if they didn't have them before. • Rising insurance payments: Medicare increased what it pays insurers to run MA plans by 5.06%. Many insurers are using that money to protect the plans and/or add benefits, not reduce what you pay out-of-pocket. HOW INFLATION AFFECTS HEALTH CARE. Inflation means everything costs more, including health care. Here’s how: • Doctors and nurses: Medical staff need raises, too. Staff costs are a big part of a medical office’s expenses. • Medical supplies: Prices have increased for everything, from Band-Aids to MRI machines. • Utilities and rent: Clinics and hospitals pay electric bills and rent like we do, and those costs have climbed.
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
DVANTAGE N 2025?
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
Who does this? What kind of company does this?
Trader Joe’s does.
They are a grocery store, yes. But more than that, they are a company with a soul. An organization that leads with compassion, loyalty, and decency. They treated my son with dignity, and they treated us, his grieving family, with grace. In a world that often feels transactional and cold, Trader Joe’s reminded us of what humanity can look like when it’s lived out loud.
So, yes. I was a fan of Trader Joe’s before. But now?
I’m a believer.
–Christopher J. Grimmond
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? You might notice:
• Higher deductibles or new copays in your plan this year. • New drug deductibles, even in plans that didn’t have one before. • Doctors dropping out of your plan’s network due to lower payments.
Silky Chocolate Mousse
This light, airy chocolate mousse is flavorful and requires only two ingredients. It’s the perfect easy-to-make treat for a weeknight or special occasion. Ingredients • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, divided • 1 cup milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips (6 oz) • Optional garnish: grated chocolate, crushed nuts, toffee, or brittle Directions 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, put 1/2 cup of cream in the microwave for 1 minute. 2. Stir in chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. 4. Set aside 1/2 cup of whipped cream for topping, and continue whipping the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. 5. Gently fold whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture in batches, mixing until combined but still light and fluffy. 6. Spoon into four ramekins or glasses, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 7. Top with reserved whipped cream and garnish if desired. 402-614-3389 • 3
But don’t panic — there are still many good options out there.
WHAT YOU CAN DO. 1. Read your annual notice of change: Every year, your plan tells you what’s changing for the next year. Pay attention to this letter. 2. Review during open enrollment: Review your plan annually. 3. Call us! We’re here to help you navigate these changes. If your costs increase or you’re worried your doctor won’t be covered anymore, we can help you find a plan that better fits your needs. Health care costs are rising across the board, and Medicare Advantage plans are feeling the pressure, too. Inflation, higher demand for care, and rising provider costs mean many plans are adjusting by increasing out-of-pocket costs for members. Still, Medicare Advantage plans remain a good value for many people. You need to ensure you’re in the right plan for your situation. That’s where we come in. We’ll help you understand your options, plan, and benefits — so you don’t have to do it alone. If you have questions about your 2025 Medicare Advantage plan or want to make sure you’re in the best plan for your needs, call us at 402-614-3389 to speak with a licensed insurance agent professional. We’re always happy to help!
11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com Chris@OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
Code 85356_05092025_JL
INSIDE This Issue
1
All Trader Joe’s Did for My Son
The Rising Cost of Medicare Advantage 2
Silky Chocolate Mousse 3
An Action Plan for a Digital Spring-Cleaning 4
Inbox Overload? Dig Yourself out of the Email Avalanche!
UNSUBSCRIBE FROM CLUTTER. Delete all incoming emails that drain your energy. You may have to open every email and scroll to the bottom to find the “unsubscribe” link, but once you have done that, the problem is partly resolved. LAUNCH A PURGE. Your backlog of unread and unwanted emails may number in the thousands by now. If you’re sure you don’t need mass groupings of emails, you can delete them by the page en masse. If you aren’t sure whether you need some of those emails, click on “archive” to get the messages out of your inbox. Creating and storing email in folders can save you a lot of time otherwise spent scrolling. Select each email you want to move aside, hover over the subject line, click “move to,” and relocate it to a new or existing folder. And
if you have a backlog of unfinished emails (who doesn’t?), attack that queue, too.
CLEAN THE DIGITAL CLOSET. Many people have old documents stored on their computers that serve no purpose other than making it easier for cybercriminals to gather personal information. Discard any data or documents you don’t need or use, and empty the trash afterward. While some apps purport to help you declutter your computer, be wary: Some may set up subscriptions to their own feeds or share your data with a third party. Working through all these tasks may take an hour or more, but the sense of accomplishment and freedom from future email overload will more than make up for the time.
If your email inbox grows every morning like a tidal wave, a quick digital cleanup may be what you need. Scrolling through hundreds of emails daily wastes time and drains your ability to focus on other, more purposeful tasks. To make all those messages from old subscriptions, names you don’t recognize, and other digital debris consuming your valuable time disappear, use these three steps to clean up the mess.
4 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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