Omaha Insurance Solutions - September 2020

Omaha Insurance Solutions - September 2020

Club MED

September 2020

How My Nonprofit Journey Led Me Here

Meet Angeli, Christopher Grimmond’s New Executive Assistant!

Hello, friends! I’m Angeli Calero Armstrong, and I’m Christopher Grimmond’s new executive assistant. Many of you who are reading this will meet me as you come into contact with Chris and our services, but Chris also asked me to introduce myself through this newsletter, which I’m absolutely thrilled to do. My initial passion was to help children who needed a home or were “victims” in their homes. That led me to a lot of nonprofit work as a hobby for which I won a United Way Outstanding Volunteer Award back in 2002. My professional career has

that he was not ready because he was colorblind and not able to distinguish lights. I surprised him the following year with EnChroma glasses. He was shocked and grateful! The things we take for granted like lights during Christmas season! His mother called to tell me that, all the way home, he kept gasping, “Wowwww!” She thanked me and added that it must have continued in his dreams because he kept saying “Wow!” in his sleep that night. The EnChroma glasses would’ve also helped his initial intention to do an electrical apprenticeship job to differentiate with wire colors. Recently, he told me he really loved helping people and plans to pursue an EMT degree! This resounded with me because in 1991, my daughter and I survived a very bad accident caused by a drunk driver and EMTs often help with situations like that. Paying it forward is what life is all about! For this next journey, I promised myself to find a job where I can live in the moment, become very good, settle in, and have Medicare as my focus. I truly enjoyed servicing customers when I worked in investments and insurance. I come from a big, faithful Filipino family and, after meeting with Chris to interview for this job, I asked my family to keep this job opportunity in their prayers. They were the first to hear when I received that call from Chris! I created admin tools to work with Chris, but I was not prepared for how organized Chris already was! It has definitely made settling into the office much easier, and I feel so blessed for Chris’ humbleness, experience, and guidance! I am married and have one daughter, who has another year-and-a-half to finish her doctor of occupational therapy degree. My focus is just for continued safety and happiness for everyone at home and at work. I believe in working hard, playing hard, and being fair. I am honored to carry this ethic on at Omaha Insurance Solutions, and I thank you so much for reading my introduction. I am super excited to work for Chris and each of you! Angeli Calero Armstrong 402-614-3389 • 1

been either in customer service or, mostly, working as an executive assistant to executives in various fields including: medical, legal, nonprofit, and different insurance categories (individual and group medical, dental, life, investments, as well as auto claims). In 1996, a small gesture (which provided holiday accessories for a room at the Catholic Charities shelter) grew into coordinating — for 24 years now — the Giving Tree project that I call “a Christmas miracle.” All of the gifts from the Giving Tree are delivered by parish volunteers to the Siena Francis House. All adults who reside (and families that seek meals) at the Siena each receive one gift, cookies, treats, and caroling! This project starts the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the entire process has become the traditional meaning of Christmas for me, my husband, and our daughters! Today, everywhere, there is a need. A little innovation on each of our parts sure goes a long way. You never know what someone could be praying for, even just a genuine, warm smile or “hello.” One year, one of the Sienna clients had the most piercing ocean- blue eyes; he shook my hand and told me that he was an angel. The next day, I opened an email I had missed from that night and it said, “Tonight you will meet an angel!” I believe I did! I have never seen him again, but I have met and spoken with many adults at the shelter with incredible heart-breaking and warming stories. Another year, a preteen volunteer at the Siena, who always catered to my team’s needs, told me he just turned 16. Most boys his age would have been out partying. I asked if he was driving. He answered so responsibly

Medicare Insurance Made Easy

Is Stress Harming Your Memory? HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health.

Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on

First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a

multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be. Now, what’s the difference between choosing home health care and skilled nursing care in a facility? To put it simply, it’s the time spent on care. Home health care must be intermittent. That is, the care must be part time, meaning less than eight hours a day, for up to 21 days. However, coverage may be extended in particular circumstances when the need for additional skilled nursing is finite and predictable. In order to qualify for home health care, a patient must be deemed homebound by a doctor, though this does not mean the patient is a prisoner in their home. Rather, a patient who is homebound is one for which leaving the home is an undue burden. This could mean they have trouble leaving home without help, including using a cane, wheelchair, walker, crutches, or needing specialized transportation. Being homebound does not mean the patient does not leave home on occasion to attend important family events, like funerals or weddings, or to get medical tests. Even attending adult day care would not be a violation of being homebound. We know choosing your home health care can be a confusing process. Omaha Insurance Solutions wants to help. If you have any questions about your own care or a loved one’s, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our expert team is on your side!

Did you know that Medicare regularly inspects home health agencies? That’s why Medicare will only pay for home health care if a Medicare-certified home health care agency provides it. Medicare approves agencies that meet specific federal health and safety requirements as well as Medicare standards necessary for reimbursement. To ensure that these standards are met, Medicare representatives regularly inspect home health agencies. However, Medicare certification does not guarantee a legal warrant of the individuals performing the services. A Medicare-certified home health agency is one that agrees to be paid by Medicare and to accept only the amount that Medicare approves for its services. The patient has the right to choose any agency to provide the services as long as they are certified by Medicare. The agency is not required to accept the person if it cannot meet that person’s medical needs.

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Hear What Our Clients Have to Say

Common Medicare Mistakes

“Chris is friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. I would come back just to visit with him.”

And How to Avoid Them

The most common Medicare mistake that people make is not checking their medications during the Annual Election Period. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows changes to Medicare Part C and D plans during the Annual Election Period (AEP) that is from Oct. 15–Dec. 7. During the AEP, you may change from one Part D prescription drug plan to another with no prohibiting requirements. You may also change from one Part C/ Medicare Advantage plan to another. If you are on Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement/Medigap policy, the AEP is the time you may drop your Medigap plan and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa. During this period, you can also get out of a Part C/Medicare Advantage plan and get a Medigap plan — generally after answering some underwriting questions. If you are on a Medicare Supplement, you may change your plan any time during the year, not just during the AEP. You will, however, need to answer underwriting questions. Some people may be rated or denied because of health issues, weight, etc. If you have expensive medications, it is important to examine which Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will be most advantageous for you during the AEP. Don’t simply stay on your current plan, assuming everything will be the same. Sometimes that works, but sometimes, insurance companies will make changes to their formularies, drug tiers, co-pays, and deductibles that could negatively affect you. Or there may be a better deal out there with another Part D plan. That being said, from my experience over the years, I can say that different Part D plans will have different levels of efficiency and customer service. Medicare uses a 5-star rating system, but I have seen Part D plans with fairly high ratings, and I am dumbfounded as to how they got that high of a rating. I have had thousands of clients over the years. I have listened to hundreds of complaints, so I can also offer my opinion on some of the Part D plans and insurance companies out there.

–Robert F.

Customer Service Contact Information

CUSTOMER SERVICE

CARRIER

AETNA

1 (800) 429-3585 M-F 8 AM to 9 PM Eastern Time

BC/BS OF NE

1 (800) 457-4708 M-F 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time 1 (800) 877-7703 M-F 8 AM to 5:30 PM Central Time 1 (800) 822-9993 M-F 7:30 AM to 5 PM Central Time 1 (800) 775-6000 M-TH 8 AM to 5:30 PM & Fri 8 AM to 5 PM Central Time 1 (800) 523-5800 M-F 8AM to 11 PM Eastern Time Sat 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time 1 (800) 288-5441 M-F 8:30 AM to 6 PM Central Time 24 Hour Nurse Advice Line: 1-800- 919-8807 1 (800) 245-6106 or 1 (800) 682 -0471 M-F 7:30 AM to 5 PM Central Time 1 (888) 488-9850 Medicare Advantage 1 (888) 592-8961 Medicare Supplement M-F 8 AM to 8 PM Central Time 1 (866) 459-4272 Medicare Supplement 1 (800) 222-6700 Medicare RX M-F 8 AM to 8 PM 1 (800) 338-7452 M-TH 7 AM to 5 PM Central Time Fridays 8 AM to Noon Central Time

CIGNA

GUARANTEE TRUST LEFE (GTL)

HUMANA

MANHATTAN LIFE MEDICO

MUTUAL OF OMAHA UHC

WELLCARE

In any event, I want you to find the best plan for you and to have an easy experience with your insurance plan.

WELLMARK (BC/BS OF IA)

402-614-3389 • 3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

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INSIDE This Issue

1

Meet Angeli, Christopher Grimmond’s New Executive Assistant!

2

Is Stress Making You Forgetful?

2

Medicare Certification Matters for Home Health Care Providers

3

How to Avoid Common Medicare Mistakes

3

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

4

How 11 Days Were Deleted From History

11 DAYS DELETED FROM HISTORY

How the British Changed Their Calendar System and Caused Chaos

For centuries, Europeans used the Julian calendar, created by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. It was based on the solar calendar, so most of Europe thought it was the most accurate calendar. However, over the centuries, dates had “drifted,” and many important days, like Easter and the spring equinox, were no longer falling on the dates they were supposed to. To compensate, the new Gregorian calendar was developed and put to use by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It helped put things back in order and eliminated the extra day every 128 years. However, not everyone adopted the Gregorian calendar right away, such as the British. That meant that Europeans were using two diverging calendars for over 200 years. Talk about confusing! People realized that as the world started to expand and as countries became more connected, having a single calendar system was critical.

Finally, the British chose the year 1752 to make the change. But, in order to make it work, they had to “jump” forward. For instance, 1751 could only be 10 months long — starting with March and ending with Dec. 31, 1751. But even that adjustment didn’t quite bring the English up to speed in time to make the shift. They also had to cut 11 days from 1752. The unlucky dates that were cut were Sept. 2–14, 1752. The people were not happy. English historians found research that British citizens chanted “Give us our 11 days!” in the streets. The phrase became so popular that some politicians even campaigned with that as their slogan. Several other historical accounts state that many people were worried that by cutting the calendar, their own lives would be cut 11 days shorter. There was a lot of confusion and chaos, but over time, dates fell where they were supposed to, and everyone lived their full lives, those 11 days included.

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