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Club MED
November 2025
CUSSING, SPINNING WHEELS, AND MEDICARE CHAOS AEP 2025 Behind the Scenes
Written Saturday, Oct. 25 — in the middle of the storm.
If you’ve stopped by my office recently and thought you heard me muttering … you did.
If you heard me yelling at my computer, banging the desk, or using language not approved by the FCC, yes, that was me. And if you saw my wife, Bev, giving me the "Shhh!" hand gesture so the clients wouldn’t hear? That was also real.
Welcome to Medicare Annual Election Period 2025 . Grab a chair and some coffee; it’s been a ride.
I Didn't See It Coming This year’s Medicare season took everyone by surprise.
#5 – “Is it weird to miss paper applications? Like, genuinely miss them? Is this who I am now?”
Thanks to Congress and the Inflation Reduction Act , there have been big changes to prescription costs, plan benefits, and client needs. The phones won’t stop ringing. The emails won’t stop coming. And the websites and software we use to help you? They’re moving slower than a sloth in a snowstorm. I sit at my desk with screens blinking, spinning, and freezing, sometimes all at once. I click a button, the system chokes, Bev looks at me like I’m about to explode, and the whole room holds its breath.
#4 – “Oh look! The software’s frozen. Let’s all stare at it like it just insulted our mother.”
#3 – “This program has crashed more times than my uncle's third marriage.”
#2 – “If Medicare wanted to test our mental health this year … congratulations, we failed!”
And that brings us to this …
And the No. 1 Thing You’ll Hear in My Office When the System Crashes …
And Now … From the home office in “Why-Isn’t-This-Loading, USA” … It’s Tonight’s Top 10 List ! (Just like David Letterman used to do — only with less hair and more Medicare.)
#1 – “I'm not saying the computer is possessed, but I did sprinkle holy water on the keyboard — and it started updating!” The Bright Side Beneath the Frustration Despite the crashing computers and the mountain of voicemails (114 and counting, as of today), there’s been a lot of joy this season. I’m reconnecting with clients I haven’t seen or spoken with in years. Some of you have walked in, and it feels like no time has passed. We talk, we laugh, and we try to figure out how we’ve both managed to get this old (though I must say, I’m looking more handsome than I did in 2013, and that’s saying something).
Top 10 Things You’ll Hear in My Office When the System Crashes
#10 – “Well, looks like the system needs a nap. Again. Must be union.”
#9 – “If this spinning wheel were a carnival ride, I’d have thrown up already.”
#8 – “You know what would be faster than this? Hand-delivering these quotes by horseback.”
#7 – “I swear, if this page crashes one more time, I’m enrolling myself in a plan with full psychiatric coverage.”
#6 – “No worries, Bev, I wasn’t swearing. That was just ... emotionally expressive typing.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ... Call 402-614-3389 to speak with a licensed insurance agent! • 1
Medicare Insurance Made Easy
INFLATION, MEDICARE, AND WHY EVERYTHING’S GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE
The first time I voted for president was in 1980. The race was between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Some of you may remember the big political issue, INFLATION. Prices were going up fast then. I remember my dad being thrilled that his bank CD paid 11% interest. Mortgage rates were as high as 18%. Gas was high. I flipped out when premium gas broke 70 cents per gallon for my 1964 Buick Wildcat. Everything was going up. In college, I went to Mexico to learn Spanish. Mexico was going through something worse: hyperinflation. I had to be smart with money. I exchanged only what I needed in the morning. If I went out at night, I’d exchange more. The peso was losing value every hour. I was eating in five-star restaurants for $10. I took taxis everywhere. I felt like a rock star.
• Medicare Advantage plan offerings are reducing or raising costs to adjust. • Prescription drug spending is up more than 11% over last year.
Even if your plan looks the same on paper, it may cost you more next year.
What This Means for You If you’re on a fixed income or Social Security, this hits hard. When Medicare costs go up, but your income doesn’t, it gets harder to:
• Afford your plan • See your doctor
• Pay for medications • Stay ahead of the bills
Some people don’t notice until it’s too late. They go to the pharmacy in January and find out their drug isn’t covered anymore or their copay has tripled. This is why it’s so important to check your plan every year. Even if you didn’t change anything, your plan might have. Why Is This Happening? Three reasons: 1. The pandemic pushed health care to the limit. Costs rose for hospitals, doctors, nurses, and supplies. 2. Inflation is still raising prices on medicine, wages, and services. 3. Medicare is adjusting to all of it by raising costs or cutting back. Health insurance usually reacts slowly, but now we’re seeing all the changes at once. And that’s why many people are feeling the pinch. My Advice to You I’ve worked with Medicare for many years, and here’s what I tell my clients now: ✅ Review your plan every year. Don’t assume it’s still the best for you. ✅ Send me your medications. We’ll make sure they’re still covered at the best price. ✅ Ask questions. I’d rather help you now than fix a problem later. ✅ Watch for changes. Deductibles, copays, and coverage are all changing. ✅ Stay calm. We’ll get through this like we always do. One Last Thought This year reminds me a lot of 1984. But back then, I was just learning. Now, I know what to do. I see the pain inflation causes. I also see the ways we can work around it. We can’t stop prices from going up, but we can be smart about our choices. We can find the plan that fits your needs and budget, even in a hard year.
But I also saw families struggling badly. Inflation hurt a lot of people.
That memory has stuck with me.
And lately, it’s felt a lot like those old days again.
What’s Happening Now After the pandemic, prices started going up fast again. Groceries. Gas. Rent. But now it’s hitting health care, especially Medicare. Health care usually comes last in the inflation cycle. But when it hits, it hits hard. Here’s what we’re seeing now. • Medicare Part B premiums are going up (expected to rise over 11% in 2026). • Deductibles and copays are going up, too. • Medicare Part A (hospital care) is also raising costs. • Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are increasing premiums.
If you’re worried or confused, don’t go it alone. I’m here to help.
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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Testimonial
And most importantly, I’m helping clients who used to have to choose between medications and groceries . People who were cutting pills in half just to make them last. Now, with the new changes, many are finally getting the medications they need without the crushing costs.
“Working with Chris and the others in his office makes understanding Medicare and supplemental insurance so much easier. Great people to have on your side." —Marcy H. "Chris shares his knowledge of the Medicare system in a way that makes the info clear and helpful." —Deb W.
That’s why I’m here. And that’s why we fight through every slow-loading screen.
The Ones We Miss As I reconnect with longtime clients, I’m also reminded of those who are no longer with us. This year, I’ve spoken with spouses, siblings, and friends of former clients, people I knew well, worked with for years, and genuinely cared about. Hearing their names brings back memories, and I think of them often.
They weren’t just clients. They were part of this little Medicare community we’ve built. And they’re missed.
I’m grateful to still be working with their loved ones, and I carry those relationships with me as I keep doing this work. It’s not just about plans. It’s about people. I Know I'm Behind Let me say this clearly: I know I’m not getting back to you fast enough. That weighs on me every day. I had hoped to have more staff trained and ready before the season started, but hiring and training the right people turned out to be a lot harder than I expected. So, it’s just Bev, a small team, and me — working seven days a week, returning calls, reviewing plans, and pushing the limits of what coffee can do for a man.
Slow Cooker Brisket
If you’re still waiting for a call back or email reply, I promise: You haven’t been forgotten.
Ingredients • 1 (1-oz) envelope onion soup mix
• 1 lb baby golden potatoes • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 large sweet onion, cut into 8 wedges • 2 1/2 cups beef stock • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tbsp cornstarch
All I ask is for your patience and your trust . I’ll get to you. And I’ll make sure we get it right.
• 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper • 1 3-lb piece of beef brisket (flat cut)
Growing Older, Growing Together This year has reminded me why I love this work.
• 8 fresh thyme sprigs • 8 whole garlic cloves • 2 bay leaves • 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine soup mix, sugar, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over brisket. 2. Place meat, fat cap side down, into an 8-qt slow cooker. 3. Top brisket with thyme, garlic, bay leaves, carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion. 4. Whisk stock, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until fully dissolved. Add to slow cooker. 5. Cover and cook on high for 5–6 hours until tender. 6. Remove to a cutting board, fat side up. Remove thyme and bay leaves. 7. Thinly slice brisket against the grain. 8. Serve with vegetables, drizzled with gravy from the slow cooker.
It’s not just about the plans or the premiums. It’s about the people, you, who have stuck with me over the years, through every open enrollment, every Medicare change, and every one of these newsletters.
We’ve grown older together. We’ve laughed, we’ve worried, we’ve watched the rules change, and we’re still standing.
Thank you for your loyalty, your good humor, and your patience.
And if you stop by the office and hear me cussing softly at the monitor … just know it’s because I care.
We’ll get through this. Together.
Licensed Insurance Agent –Christopher J. Grimmond
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
Call 402-614-3389 to speak with a licensed insurance agent! • 3
11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com Cjg@OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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INSIDE This Issue
1
Cussing, Spinning Wheels, and Medicare Chaos
2
Inflation, Medicare, and Why Everything’s Getting More Expensive
3
Testimonials
3
Slow Cooker Brisket
4
The Midlife Mindset Reset
The Second Act You Deserve Creating a Life You Love in Your 50s and Beyond
Who says the best years of your life have a curfew? Midlife isn’t about winding down; this exciting second act is an opportunity to blossom, find new joys, and explore your dreams. If you’re at a standstill or having trouble envisioning the future, small changes and mindset shifts can help you rediscover yourself and find happiness in this part of your journey. From focusing on your health to setting new goals, here are a few ways to make the most of middle age and enjoy the ride. Cultivate a healthier you. It’s never too late to focus on your health. If it hasn’t been part of your routine in the past, you can start small with manageable exercises and easy diet changes. Ensure your meals contain whole foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and plenty of water. Fitness journals and apps can help you log what you eat and even provide
recommendations. According to the American Heart Association, you should also be physically active, exercising at least 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes a day. Daily walks are a simple, low-impact way to get in shape and can be a relaxing way to start or end your day. Sleep is even more critical as we age, so create a healthy bedtime routine. Celebrate who you are. This new chapter of your story can be one of the happiest times to celebrate who you are. Appreciate the little things in your life, whether it's family or watching the sunrise every morning. Gratitude can help you remember everything you have, even when you feel down or not at your best. You can keep a gratitude journal or take a few minutes daily to think about three things you’re thankful for. You get to determine your happiness, so this is a great time to
identify ineffective routines or counter- productive patterns over the years and try something different. Establish new habits that put your well-being at the forefront. Don’t compare yourself to the younger you or other people around you. As we age, it’s normal for our bodies to change. Have confidence in your skin now and remember that you are still evolving. This is your beautiful and bold reinvention.
4 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
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