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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

As the holiday season approaches, why not shake things up in the kitchen and surprise your loved ones with a feast beyond traditional turkey and stuffing or ham?  We will explore fun and unconventional recipes that add a delightful twist...

 

Monday, November 20, 2023

       The consensus in news articles and elsewhere seems to be an adamancy to hype up a stock market rally. I’ve discussed the danger of falling for the narrative of soft landing for the past year, and...

 

Thursday, November 16, 2023

As Thanksgiving approaches, why not shake things up in the kitchen and surprise your loved ones with a feast beyond traditional turkey and stuffing? We'll explore fun and unconventional recipes that add a delightful...

 

Friday, November 10, 2023

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Parts A & B for 2024.      Let’s Begin with Part A    ...

 

Friday, November 10, 2023

     Thanksgiving is a time for being thankful, watching football, and eating great food. For individuals with diabetes, navigating the holiday feast can be a challenge, as many traditional dishes are loaded with...

 

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Wednesday, November 1, 2023

         November, what a magical time of year. Leaves change color, cooler temperatures and of course, TURKEY are the first thing that we think of when we think about November. Why not, Thanksgiving is a great...

 

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

First, let’s define preventive services. These are crucial medical services that help detect and prevent health issues before they become more severe. Early detection through preventive services can optimize the effectiveness of...

 

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

       Going through a divorce is undoubtedly one of life's most challenging experiences. Amid the emotional turmoil, it is crucial to address practical matters like your financial future. Social Security benefits...

 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

             It doesn’t take much for employers to SEE (pun intended) why group vision insurance is such a great option to offer to their employees. Not only can the insurance improve your...

 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

       I've explained in previous writings that Original Medicare Part A and Part B provide vital healthcare coverage to millions of individuals across the United States. Part A covers hospital and inpatient care,...

 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Medicare, a cornerstone of the United States healthcare system, is predominantly associated with providing health insurance coverage for individuals aged 65 and older. However, there are specific circumstances under which individuals...

 

Monday, October 16, 2023

Let’s face it employees want benefits. They don’t just want medical insurance anymore, they want more. Group dental insurance will not only help to make them smile; the cost to you (the employer) should make you happy as well...

 

Monday, October 16, 2023

       Medicare is a critical healthcare program that provides coverage for millions of Americans aged 65 and older, as well as some individuals with disabilities. While Medicare offers invaluable benefits, it is...

 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

“Stocks haven’t looked this unattractive since 2007”, reads the headline of a Wall Street Journal article from last April,¹ referring to the risk vs reward of owning equities over bonds. The sentiment will probably carry throughout at...

 

Monday, October 2, 2023

A Roth can be a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k).  A Roth 401(k) is a type of 401(k) account that allows participating eligible employees to make after-tax contributions to their employer sponsored retirement plan. The employee then...

 

Monday, October 2, 2023

 Ancillary benefits can be a great offering to your employees. These benefits can have an employer contribution, but it is not required. In fact, one of the benefits to offering ancillary benefits for your employees is that when their...

 

Friday, September 29, 2023

  A rollover is a tax-free transfer of cash or other property from one retirement plan to another. A quite common one is rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA. The rule permits rollovers between most tax deferred arrangements...

 

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

       Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can significantly impact an individual’s life. For the many living with either of these conditions, attaining life...

 

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

       Group medical insurance being offered by an employer is almost expected in today’s world. When your next possible employee is contemplating their next job, their decision usually comes down to who has...

 

Friday, August 11, 2023

 It seems like employees and employers have become hesitant to use the medical insurance they pay for each month. Not just because of the cost, but because they don’t understand how their plan actually works....

 

Friday, August 11, 2023

     In today's fast-paced and unpredictable world, protecting financial stability has become paramount for individuals and their families. Amidst the uncertainties of life, one critical aspect that frequently goes...

 

Friday, August 11, 2023

Let's begin with the basics. Employee benefits are extra perks provided by employers for their employees. Finding the right combination of benefits that will have the best impact while not costing you a small fortune is critical for...

 

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

A cash balance pension plan is a defined benefit plan. Which means the benefit amount is defined or promised benefit of a stated account balance. Typically, a participant is credited each year with a pay credit, which is a percentage...

 

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Health savings accounts can be great for you and your employees. These tax advantaged accounts can not only help you and your employees set aside money for medical expenses, but they allow you to pay for your medical expenses with...

 

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Knowing the right kind of retirement plan that is right for your company can be vital to your employees and your retirement. You want to make sure that if you’re offering benefits, that it’s not hurting your company, whether it be from...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

     A 401(k) is a defined contribution plan; an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that lets the employee assume responsibility for their retirement income by making pretax contributions from his or her paycheck...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

     A Roth can be a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k). A Roth IRA is a qualified individual retirement account where you contribute after-tax dollars and enjoy tax-free growth and withdrawals. This means there is no...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Most people are not aware that each Medicare Supplement, or Medigap plan, has three separate ways their premium can be priced or rated. The three premium pricing options are community rated, also called “no-age-rated,” issue age rated...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Once enrolled in a Medicare Part D Prescription plan, some beneficiaries find it difficult to cover the costs of their prescriptions. In many cases these prescriptions were affordable until the beneficiary reached their annual spending...

 

Friday, May 26, 2023

Group medical insurance being offered by an employer is almost expected in today’s world. When your next possible employee is contemplating their next job, their decision usually comes down to who has the best benefits or who contributes..

 

Friday, May 19, 2023

     The majority of our business clients and prospects focus on offering medical, dental, and vision insurance to retain and attract employees. Those benefits, coupled with a retirement plan, may be all that motivates...

 

Friday, May 19, 2023

What is the formulary in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan & How Does They Work?A formulary is the list of generic and brand-name prescription drugs covered by a specific health insurance plan. Non-formulary drugs typically only...

 

Friday, May 19, 2023

What is an Executive Bonus Plan?      Offering group medical insurance and other benefits has been one of the most effective ways of attracting and keeping quality employees. Every employee is important to the...

 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

     As a small business owner, you and only you are completely responsible for your own retirement plan. Many business owners we meet say their business is their retirement plan. Meaning that when the business owner has...

 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

     A deciding factor for a job position is group medical insurance, but one of the common questions I hear from employees is, when can I join the plan? There are a different periods in which the employee can join a...

 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

     Using a PEO or professional employer organization is a way of outsourcing your human resources department. This type of arrangement is known as co-employment. While the services that every PEO company offers are...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

     I constantly remind clients that we must invest for and navigate the markets we’re given, not the markets we wish we had. I believe a very common mistake investors make is their failure to adapt their portfolio strategies to the...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

     New Medicare beneficiaries are often surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover routine vision services. For many people, glasses and or contacts become more of a necessity as we age. Well, why Medicare cover this? The answer...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

    There was a major problem going on in the U.S. during World War II outside of the war, and that was inflation. Factories that were once producing goods were now producing equipment for the war. Because of this the goods that were...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

According to the MayoClinic.com, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive nervous system disease that affect the nerve cells in the brain and spinal, his causes loss of muscle control. It has yet to be discovered why ALS occurs...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

     Yes, you can have an HSA when you age into Medicare. But of course, there are rules and limitations. First, what is a Health Savings Account? HealthCare.gov describes an HSA as “A type of savings account that lets you set aside money..

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

      If you have recently separated from your spouse, this article may help you better understand how a divorce may impact your existing policy and the steps to consider taking as you move forward. Life events such as marriage...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

     Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can significantly impact an individual’s life. For the many living with either of these conditions, attaining life insurance coverage...

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

     The definition of Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Multiple sclerosis causes many different...

 

Monday, April 10, 2023

Yes, you can have an HSA when you age into Medicare. But of course, there are rules and limitations. First, what is a Health Savings Account? HealthCare.gov describes an HSA as “A type of savings account that lets you...

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Some people may qualify for Medicare due to disability. In this situation, if you have a qualifying disability, you are eligible for Medicare even if you have not reached age 65. To find out if your disability qualifies for disability...

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

According to the World Health Organization*, the prevalence of anxiety and depression had a twenty-five percent increase worldwide. This large increase comes after the Covid-19 pandemic. This 25% increase affected woman and you people...

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

 This is an informative blog. This is not meant to diagnose, treat, or do anything else other than to show how Anxiety and Depression can affect your life insurance rating or acceptance.      According to...

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

       So, you finally made the decision to offer employees benefits at your business. The next step to figure out is what benefits to offer. We believe that it’s always better to work with an agent that can...

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Good health starts with a healthy mouth.         Regular dental exams and cleanings can lower the risk of gum disease, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious conditions....

 

Monday, February 27, 2023

Medical insurance can be very confusing. In-network vs. out of network, copay and coinsurance, the last thing you’re going to understand when you look at your group health insurance quote for the first time is 10G/15PB/50NPB/200S...

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

You should notify Medicare when you move, whether you are on Original Medicare, have a Medigap plan, have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D plan. Contact Social Security and update your address. This can be done over-the-phone...

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

     Most Medicare drug plans or Medicare plans with drug coverage have a coverage gap. This coverage gap is also called the "donut hole". This means there's a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for...

 

Thursday, February 2, 2023

       When you a have a debilitating or disabling medical condition, having health insurance is critical. Maybe critical for your survival if you don’t have the resources to pay for all the needed treatments,...

 

Thursday, February 2, 2023

            The Corona Virus has affected the citizens in America negatively. From the shutting down of businesses, to "nonessential" deemed employees getting laid off. It caused panic at the grocery...

 

Thursday, February 2, 2023

      Overoptimism can be as dangerous (or more) as over pessimism, that’s in a nutshell Jerome Powell’s message following the past FOMC meeting, where the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points...

 

Thursday, February 2, 2023

       There’s a positive correlation between owning life insurance and having financial security. One of the biggest ways life insurance can provide financial security is by ensuring that loved ones are...

 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

So, you’re on Medicare and traveling abroad. You have an emergency, what do you do and do you have coverage? Medicare usually doesn’t cover health care while you’re traveling outside the U.S...

 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

      According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. That’s 1 out of 10 Americans! 96 million people in the United States have prediabetes, that’s...

 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

       I mentioned on a previous commentary that According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. That’s 1 out of 10 Americans! 96 million people in...

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

I’m About to Turn 65, How Do I Enroll in Medicare?  As you turn 65, you’ll be entering your IEP, Initial Enrollment Period. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is when you initially become eligible for Medicare....

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

Why is the financial strength of an insurance company important? There is a multitude of reasons why, but near the top of that list should be the insurer’s ability to pay out the benefits promised. Those benefits could be access...

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

If you had a medical condition, whether it be mental or physical, prior to the year 2013, you knew what a pre-existing condition was. That’s because prior to 2013 and the Affordable Care Act, insurance carriers were able to deny...

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Have you ever applied for life insurance and been declined or rated by the insurance company? Unless you’re in the insurance industry, you probably have no idea why or how.

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions ran by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans...

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Enrollment for employer sponsored group medical insurance can be a very timely and confusing matter. Knowing what to expect and which documentation you may need, can really help speed up the process.

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

How can you go from having great coverage with low premiums with one job, to a job with terrible coverage and high premiums? First, it’s based off of your group size. You’re either considered...

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

       Individuals entitled to both Medicare and medical assistance from a state plan under Medicaid are potentially eligible to enroll in a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), where States cover some Medicare costs...

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Even if you’re not currently in the market for a new work opportunity, you can’t ignore the continuous reports of near- term layoffs projected for this year. Rightfully so, as the labor force tends to be a leading indicator...

 

Thursday, December 22, 2022

   If you were ever diagnosed with any type of health condition or suffered a serious injury, prior to 2013, then you probably understand what preexisting conditions are. But for those who don’t, preexisting...

 

Thursday, December 22, 2022

     An employer offering benefits can be one of the most important reasons for taking a job for some families, but have you ever looked at or joined an employer sponsored plan and wondered, how can I be paying this much...

 

Thursday, December 22, 2022

This Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is one of the more complicated Medicare enrollment periods. Not every Medicare beneficiary will be eligible for this SEP and for those that do qualify they will have to prove their qualification. 

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

      Life insurance is a very intricate tool. Most people only think of it as insurance that takes care of the expenses of your loved ones left behind. This is true of life insurance in general. Depending on...

 

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

If it sounds too good to be true, it may still be true…except for cryptocurrency exchanges.By now you’re somewhat familiar with the name FTX and have heard of their recent insolvency. All due to highly speculative...

 

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

 Universal life insurance defines flexibility. You can virtually design it to be exactly what you need it to be. 

 

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Group medical insurance can be very confusing. Sometimes as humans we’re embarrassed to admit that we don’t know something. Don’t be.

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Are you in your twenties or thirties and just starting a family? Can’t afford a larger premium? Well, you could take advantage of your younger age and better health. It could be a good choice when the policyholder needs protection...

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Let’s face it, we live in a time of benefits demanding job seekers. Whether it’s an entry level position, or a career that requires four plus years of college education, one of the first questions asked to HR managers and owners...

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Life insurance is more than just something that your grandparents purchase when you were a child. Life insurance is a tool that you can use for many different stages in your life. It can protect you for a period of time or forever.

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

You are Medicare eligible and have group health insurance provided by you or your spouse’s current employer. Can I have Medicare and my group plan? Do they work together? To keep it simple, yes and yes, but there are certain rules.

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

‘Tis the season to be jolly? Maybe. The Holiday season quickly approaches and with it comes a lot of typical seasonality elements. The stock market is not oblivious to that. In finance, seasonality of the markets is a technical analysis...

 

Friday, October 21, 2022

Every year the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare is from October 15 through December 7. This timeframe is sometimes also referred to as the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. During his period, anyone can make changes...

 

Friday, October 21, 2022

There is one thing a “rainy-day" savings account typically can’t help with, and that’s a $1,000,000 medical bill. You may be saying “that’ll never happen”, but it can happen in a instant.

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the premiums, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Parts A & B for the year 2023.  Find out what they are here.

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

        Choosing a medical plan for yourself may be easy. You may know how often you go to the doctor, and how much you may use the insurance, but this completely changes when it comes to selecting health...

 

Monday, October 10, 2022

Are you unaware of the changes that came with the Affordable Care Act, that may benefit you? Most employers are. One of the biggest problems I see is people are hesitant to use their health insurance.

 

Monday, October 10, 2022

Looking at how Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are funded may give insight into why we see so many of these advertisements in the media during the last quarter of the year.

 

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

When the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, insists that businesses and households will experience pain resulting from monetary tightening, you better believe him. What happened?

 

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) are available to three separate groups of people. Those eligible are classified as Medicare beneficiaries.

 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries. Part D is also referred to as a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).  It helps cover the cost of outpatient prescription drugs.

 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Many of the employers I speak with have little to no experience in selecting health plans for their employees. Some are familiar with what medical plan’s co-payments and co-insurance are, but do not understand how they work.

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

A bear market is defined as an extended period of price declines in the stock market. Textbooks will not give you an exact numerical measure for identifying a bear market, but we consider a 20% decline in...

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

When it comes to insurance, everyone has a different opinion and use. What I like about an insurance plan can be completely different from what the employer feels makes a good plan. There are many different choices when selecting a plan.

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Medicare Part B is your medical insurance typically administered at a doctor's office or outpatient facility.  What is it?  It is government-mandated medical insurance. It’s intended to cover two types of services...

 

Friday, September 9, 2022

People ask why inflation is running rampant since the COVID – 19 started. With many causes to increases in prices and currency devaluation, politicians are quick to point fingers at whom or what causes this pain for citizens.

 

Friday, September 9, 2022

I’m not attempting to give a course on GDP. But you may wonder, with such a simple definition, why do economists and politicians defer on our economic status relating to GDP? Are we, or are we not in a recession?

 

Friday, September 9, 2022

Congratulations, you’ve turned 65 and qualify for Medicare! Now what? The timeframe for enrolling in a Medicare plan is called the “enrollment period”. There are many different enrollment periods, but not all are relevant to you.  

 

Friday, September 9, 2022

Business owners offering to cover the cost of abortion procedures are also challenged with covering travel and lodge expenses for employees, when their headquarters is located within abortion-banned states.

 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

The reasons why your Social Security Disability claim will get denied are many and you should know prior to filling a claim. Know what to expect when you apply for benefits and that the social security administration denial will lead...

 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Did you know a bad credit score can affect your insurance rate, increasing your premium payment and making it more expensive? But the truth is, even if you have a good credit score, the lack of payment history, long enough credit,...

 

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

If we had a dime for every time we get asked about information on Long Term Care, their would probably be enough funds to pay for the National debt. If we got a dime for every time someone actually did something to cover the high cost...

 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Disability Income Insurance can be tax advantageous as a tax deduction if you have your policy through work or as a tax free benefit if you use your personal funds (or after tax dollars) to pay for it. With the help of your accountant...

 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

I was reading on Lesser, Lesser, Landy, Smith law firm's website that every 7 seconds an injury in the workplace happens. And that more than 4.7mil workplace injuries occur every year in the US, resulting in 99mil workdays lost. Those...

 

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

You can change the lives of so many with a profession in the Financial Services industry. But being a life insurance agent has it's particular rewarding moments. The impact and financial relief people get from receiving a Death...

 

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Think about all the different types of insurances that you have. Do you personally know ALL your agents? Probably NOT. Life Insurance does NOT have to be a complex process. If you just need basic insurance coverage, watch this video...

 

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Cody Merrill, personal trainer to physicians, dentists, athletes, executives (and pretty much anyone looking to improve their health and physique) on the Treasure Coast explains mistakes people make when exercising that can cause a...

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

When you look for an insurance quote, you have many choices to make from: coverage amount, length of coverage time and what you actually want to insure (cars, houses, people, pets). It’s going to cost you something to protect...

 

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

How do the rich get richer? Do the rich buy insurance? Yes! And in this video I give you 7 reasons why the wealthy buy insurance to build, grow, protect their wealth and avoid paying taxes.SUBSCRIBE to the Disability Insurance Queen's...

 

Friday, May 29, 2020

Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance and is one part of Original Medicare. The other being Part B. Medicare Part A is coverage managed by the federal government. What is the cost? Most people get Part A for free, but some must...

 

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

DISABILITY INSURANCE AND COVID-19 | How STRESS can lead to a Disability | Keaney Desk Talks Disability Insurance Queen 20 subscribers In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, I did some research of how the current situation can lead to a...

 

Monday, May 18, 2020

 

Monday, May 18, 2020