Robert Wagner Insurance October 2023 Newsletter (corrected) |
|
|
The Medicare Annual Election Period runs from October 15th to December 7th, 2023. During AEP, you can make changes to your Medicare health and drug plans. These changes will be effective beginning on the first day of the new year. You may choose to make changes because your plan no longer suits you or will cost more in the upcoming year. <2024 Shopping Authorization>
|
| Individual Open Enrollment Starts November 1st |
If you have a health plan through Covered California or direct from the health plan beginning November 1st through December 31st you can make plan changes which will be effective on January 1st. Open enrollment will continue through January 31st with changes effective February 1, 2024. |
|
|
Worth a Second Look in 2024 |
|
|
If you have avoided Medicare Advantage plans in the past because of HMO constraints and a limited network, this year demands a second look. In 2024 there will be several new Medicare Advantage PPO plans to choose from with low or no premium, some with a national PPO network, most include dental and vision. |
| |
|
If the cost of your current Medicare Supplement and Part D drug plan are stretching the budget one of the low premium Medicare Advantage PPO plans may be the answer. Give me a call or email for more information. |
Most Part D drug plans will see a premium increase in 2024 offsetting the mandated benefit increases. The calendar year deductible will increase to a maximum of $545 while some plans will have no deductible or a lower deductible. The coverage gap or “donut hole” no longer exists with much of the costs offset by drug manufacturer discount. When the TrOOP of $8,000 is reached, the beneficiary pays nothing.
There will be no cost sharing for recommended adult vaccines like Shingles, Tdap vaccines, and Hepatitis. Cost sharing on covered insulin cannot be more than $35 in any coverage phase. Medicare Part D drug prices have increased by an average of 226% since market entry. These 25 drugs are responsible for $80.9 billion in total Part D spending in 2021. |
|
|
|
The new report (PDF) from AARP’s Public Policy Institute shows that high pharmaceutical drug prices are placing an unwelcome burden on customers. Overall, lifetime price increases among 25 name-brand drugs have increased by 20% to 739%, with just one drug exceeding the annual rate of inflation over the same period of time.
Enbrel, a drug that entered the scene in 1998 and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the price has increased 701%. The diabetes drug Januvia has risen 275%. |
|
|
Three Shots for Fall: What You Need to Know |
What respiratory illnesses are coming our way? |
The coronavirus, flu and R.S.V. are all likely to resurge this fall, but exactly when and how much damage they will do are unknown. That’s in part because the restrictions in place during the pandemic altered the seasonal patterns of the viruses. |
|
|
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, but it is most important for adults ages 65 and older, children under 5 and people with weak immune systems. |
|
Updated Covid shots from Pfizer and Moderna are designed to target XBB.1.5, the Omicron variant that currently accounts for roughly 12 percent of cases. |
|
R.S.V. is a respiratory illness among young children and seniors, particularly those 75 and older who have other health conditions. <Read more> |
|
|
Get Started With the 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout |
|
|
| Are you looking for a new workout routine to try? One trend that’s been making waves lately is the 12-3-30 treadmill workout. This plan has gained popularity for its promise of being both straightforward, challenging, and incredibly effective.
The 12-3-30 treadmill workout was popularized by health and beauty social media influencer Lauren Giraldo who posted about it on YouTube in 2019 and then again on TikTok in 2020, which made the trend explode. Lauren states the workout helped her lose and keep off about 30 pounds.
|
|
|
It is known for its straightforward approach: incline 12%, speed 3 mph, duration 30 minutes. The incline and speed combo are intended to elevate your heart rate, in turn providing cardiovascular benefits, muscle toning, and even weight loss. <Read more> |
|
|
All right reserved © Robert Wagner Insurance |
|
|
|