Omaha Insurance Solutions - May 2021

Omaha Insurance Solutions - May 2021

Club MED

May 2021

How a Cat and a Dog Won My Wife’s Heart

I like sharing personal stories through this newsletter, so let me tell you about a little story that’s been unfolding in our household lately. I was visiting a

trying to win Bev over, even though I was the one brushing and feeding the cat. How are you supposed to hate a cute, adorable kitty that’s constantly

cool, scary-looking dog, I loved it. Bev, though, shocked me when she turned to me and said, “Do you want to get the dog for us?” Sorry, Mason! We adopted him right then and there and named him Maximus. Unlike what his appearance and the Spartan name suggest, Maximus is a giant sweetheart. Max and Coco don’t really get along since they have that dog and cat thing going. Coco takes it personally when Max tries to eat her. Bev still pretends she is indifferent to the pets, but when we were down in Arkansas visiting the grandkids last

client’s home last year, and she had a really cool cat. It was long-haired, beautiful, and unbelievably friendly. Animals have always liked me for some reason, but she was incredibly affectionate. I asked my client about the breed and found out it was a Ragdoll cat.

purring and sitting on your lap? Her name is Coco after Coco Chanel. Same look. Eventually, I’d catch glimpses of Bev cuddling the cat and throwing Coco off herself as soon as I’d notice. Of course, now, Bev is buying toys and all sorts of accessories for Coco. She even defends

Coco

Later, I researched the breed and became amazed by how Ragdoll cats are often just as friendly as dogs. Some even play fetch! This made me sorely miss having a cat of my own, as I grew up with pets. My wife Bev, however, grew up on a farm where pets and animals were always outdoors. She had a traumatic experience with her dog, Coby, when she was young. Her parents got rid of Coby — and not by giving it away, if you know what I mean. It wasn’t until years later that she learned the real story. Understandably, she didn’t want to get attached to pets after that. We had recently got a new house — my first. She didn’t want pets and pet hair! I live here, too, so I figure I get a vote, even if it is a minor vote. I wanted a cat. So, I put my foot (or paw, if you like the metaphor) down. “I’m getting a cat.” At first, Bev was pretty resentful toward the kitty. But here’s the twist I wasn’t expecting. The cat could tell that Bev didn’t like her, so it was constantly

the cat against me. When I complain she is buying all this pet stuff and I’m

tripping over toys, I’m told she “needs” these dumb things. Now I have to treat the cat according to the unwritten Bev Law of Cat Treatment. But, hey, at least I got a cat! That was a win enough for me.

weekend, I caught her on the doggy cam. We had dropped Max off at the local doggy day care while we were away. Bev told me she was “checking on Max” to make sure he was well behaved with the other dogs. I caught her multiple times alone, watching and laughing at the dogs. She would call the grandkids over to show

Until Bev surprised me.

Max

When Bev and I started dating, she’d affectionately (at least, most of the time, it was affectionate) called me “Bulldog” because I was so persistent and determined in everything I do. She’d buy me cute little bulldog knickknacks, one of which she bought in New York outside the Raging Bull Restaurant on Wall St. It currently sits on my desk! Anyway, she was helping her son Mason find a dog when she came across a beautiful American bulldog at the pound. It was 2 years old, housebroken, and a solid 105-pound monster. As a

them her dog on the iPad. She doesn’t care about the pets, right. I will never understand this woman. Anyway, I’ve been delighted by the recent pet developments, and I had to share. Thanks for reading, friends, and I’ll catch you next month!

Christopher J. Grimmond

Medicare Insurance Made Easy

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THE BET THAT SPAWNED THE FILET-O-FISH SANDWICH Inside the McDonald’s History Books

Every day, 68 million people dine under the iconic golden arches of McDonald’s. If you’re one of them, then you’re probably intimately familiar with one of the most famous offerings on the menu after the McRib and the Big Mac: the Filet-O-Fish sandwich. This bestselling entree looks simple enough. It features a fried square of wild-caught fish nestled under a slice of American cheese and a smear of tartar sauce. But it has a contentious history. In fact, Ray Kroc, the owner of McDonald’s who was immortalized in the 2016 movie “The Founder,” didn’t want the fishy offering on the menu. It ended up there anyway for one of the oldest reasons in the world: Kroc lost a bet. The story starts back in 1962 in Cincinnati, Ohio. That year, an enterprising McDonald’s franchisee

named Lou Groen had a problem. His customer base was largely Catholic and abstained from eating meat on Fridays (not to mention during Lent!), and they weren’t buying enough burgers to keep his restaurant afloat. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, on Fridays, Groen pulled in just $75 per day. To combat that lack of sales, he masterminded a beef-free option, and the Filet-O-Fish sandwich was born. The problem came when Groen pitched the entree to Ray Kroc. The founder didn’t approve. In a 2006 interview with Business Courier, Groen recalled Kroc’s reaction: “You’re

made a bet. On Good Friday in 1962, select McDonald’s would put both the Filet-O-Fish and a different meatless option, the pineapple-centric Hula Burger, on their menus. The entree that sold the best would stick around. Since you’ve probably dined on a Filet-O-Fish and never heard of Hula Burger, you can guess what happened. Groen sold 350 Filet-O- Fish sandwiches. And Kroc? Well, he moved just six Hula Burgers. Fishy smell or not, the filet was there to stay.

Want to read up on more fast-food capers? Pick up the book “Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey

always coming up here with a bunch of crap!” he said. “I don’t want my stores stunk up with the smell of fish.” But at the end of the day, Kroc’s motivation was profit. So, the two men

Through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom” by Adam Chandler. His KFC stories will blow your mind.

UNIQUE MEDICARE 2021 CHANGES, PART II PART D CHANGES AND THE SENIOR SAVINGS MODEL

In 2021, there have been major changes to Medicare Part D, known as the Senior Savings Model. The Senior Savings Model is an experiment that tests the impact of offering beneficiaries an increased choice of enhanced alternative Part D plan options that offer lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin. About 1 in every 3 Medicare beneficiaries has diabetes, and over 3.3 million Medicare beneficiaries use one or more of the common forms of insulin. Access to insulin can be a critical component of their medical management. If they have gaps in access, it increases their risk of serious complications, including vision loss, kidney failure, foot ulcers (potentially requiring amputation), and heart attacks. Unfortunately, sometimes the cost of insulin can be a barrier to appropriate medical management of diabetes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designed the Senior Savings Model for Part D plans to address President Trump’s promise to lower prescription drug costs. The model provides Medicare patients with new choices of Part D plans that offer insulin at an affordable and predictable cost. A one-month supply of a broad set of plan-formulary insulins will cost no more than $35 each.

There are a few important changes for Part D premiums. First, your drugs will be listed in the formulary. Second, Part D premiums for 2021 will probably rise an average of 9%. The average stand-alone Part D premium is $41 in 2021. The premiums range from $7 a month for the SilverScript SmartRx plan to a high of $89 for the AARP MedicareRx Preferred plan. Unfortunately, the Part D drug deductible went up from $435 to $445 on most plans. That is the max deductible CMS allows insurance companies to set. They can set it lower, though few plans did this year, and for those plans with zero deductible or a lower deductible, the cost is offset by either higher monthly premiums, co-pays, or both. Most of the time, that deductible is only applicable to tier 3, 4, and 5 medications. The first of the year is when I get the distressed phone calls because people must meet their deductibles. Many forget the deductible starts over again in January, and they are shocked when they show up at the pharmacy counter. I have to remind clients they need to meet the deductible first to get to the lower copay.

Thanks so much for reading! I’ll be back next month with Medicare Advantage changes in 2021.

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Does Medicare Cover Dental?

When people mean Medicare, they usually mean Original Medicare, which is Medicare Part A and Part B. Part A is for the hospital. Part B is for doctor visits and outpatient procedures. The simple answer is Medicare does not cover dental. If you have only Medicare Part A and Part B, you need to purchase a separate, stand-alone dental plan, which may cost between $25 to $45 per month, depending on the coverage. Medicare Supplements or Medigap Plans do not cover dental. Medicare Part D drug plans do not cover dental. The dental plan may be with the same company you purchased your supplement from, but it is still a separate plan that costs more. Does Medicare Advantage cover dental? Some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental. In the Omaha Metro area, we have several plans that have very lovely dental plans. Should you get a dental plan? If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with good dental benefits, an additional dental plan does not make any sense. Still, if you are on Original Medicare, a Medigap policy, and Part D prescription drug, I would consider it. Dental health is like your general physical health. You go in for a physical annually to make sure everything is working. Your bi-annual teeth cleanings, X-rays, and oral examples are the same. You pay approximately $100–$200 for teeth cleaning in our area. The first appointment is more because the dentist generally does the most X-rays at the time. In the end, you could pay between $300–$400 per year for two teeth cleanings. That is without anything else being done. The filling could be $300. An extraction by an oral surgeon may cost $500. Crowns will be at least $1,200. The nice thing about a simple dental plan that is $25 per month, or $300 a year, is you would cover your teeth cleanings, but if there is anything else, like crowns or root canals, you are not paying the whole load. You are only paying 50% of a hefty bill. You are spending the same amount of money on getting your teeth cleaned twice a year, but now with a dental plan, you don’t need to worry about an overwhelming dental bill.

Call us for a brochure and quote for a dental plan.

11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144 402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com

Want to hang on to your teeth?

Put Some Spring in Your Step AND REDUCE PAIN WITH INDOOR OR OUTDOOR YOGA

Testimonial

“Chris did not twist our arms. He is very knowledgeable and professional.”

–Doug & Dalene H.

As you grow older, it may be tempting to give up on exercise — but persistent exercise can keep you feeling young well into your 80s. Why is that? Among many other benefits, movement helps you stay satiated and prevents overeating, even if that movement is aerobic like yoga.

Thank You for the Google Reviews! Marketing experts told me that one of the best ways to improve your search ranking on Google is through many Google reviews. During my usual phone calls — following up on enrolling, remembering birthdays, answering questions — I have asked clients to write Google reviews. I send out links. The process of writing a review is very simple. I have been impressed by the beautiful five-star reviews and comments clients have shared. Thank you for the affirmation and the support. If you would like to write a review, please Google “Omaha Insurance Solutions” or call us. We can email you the link.

Chris Crowley, author of “Younger Next Year,” writes, “Your body reads idleness as a sign that you are starving to death as slowly as possible, no matter how much you eat.” Due to the quarantine lifestyle, many people have been eating more than necessary without any additional movement to make up for it. However, practicing yoga is an excellent choice for adults at home! Not only can you get a full-body workout with yoga, but you can also practice it indoors or outdoors if you’d like to enjoy the fresh spring air. You’ll also notice many health benefits with yoga as part of your routine, such as stronger bones. Yoga for seniors can help prevent osteoporosis, which causes bones to be brittle or weak. (Osteoporosis occurs once your bones can’t keep up with the decrease of bone mass and density that happens with aging.) Yoga can also enhance your balance, flexibility, mobility, and strength — all while reducing stress and hypertension in your body, making it fantastic for lowering your blood pressure as well. The slow, intentional movements of yoga lead to better bodily control, which can help prevent falls. Plus, confident mobility can help ensure your independence for many years to come. Another problem of the pandemic has been the significant increase of depression in seniors, but yoga can fight depression as well. Because it’s the combination of movement, breathing, and meditation, it’s considered the “superfood” of the exercise world. Lastly, even if you struggle with aches and pains currently, yoga can help decrease the pain associated with aging. Many physical therapists utilize yoga or Pilates exercises (a practice with less emphasis on meditation, if that appeals!). Yoga is especially great for people with arthritis, teaching them how to utilize their breathing to relax through any chronic pain they have. If you’ve never considered yoga as a potential part of your lifestyle before, we recommend giving it a try. It just might be a pivotal component to your healthy, happy future.

Easy & Healthy Green Rice

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

This rice recipe is perfect for getting your kids to eat their greens without realizing it!

Ingredients

• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice

Directions

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144 402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com

INSIDE This Issue

1

How a Cat and a Dog Won My Wife’s Heart

2

The Bet That Spawned the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

2

Unique Medicare 2021 Changes: Part D Changes

3

Why Yoga Reduces Body Pain and Helps You Feel Younger

3

Green Rice Recipe

4

Brighten Up Your Space With These May Flowers!

The Most Beautiful May Flowers for Your Home or Office Bring Spring Indoors

The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower. Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look. Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural-colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space.

You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which

have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them. Lastly, although tulips or orchid s would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with lilies of the valley . These beautiful, peaceful little blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell-like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!

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