Omaha Insurance Solutions - April 2021

Omaha Insurance Solutions - April 2021

Club MED

April 2021

MY LIFE-LONG LESSON IN PERSISTENCE The Day I Realized I Was a Long-Distance Runner

down as I started to experience the worst exhaustion of my life.

I didn’t leave the race, though. I was determined to finish it, no matter what — even if I was walking. So, although every part of my body hurt, I kept walking and running, and I finished the marathon. I’d hoped to get an award for being the youngest runner to finish, but there happened to be a 13-year-old girl who finished before me. After fighting so hard through all of that, I was shocked. I wanted to tackle her, but that might’ve broken her; she was a stick! I earned second place, but, for years afterward, my brothers always teased me about it, saying, “Get beat by any girls today?” Something changed about me during that marathon, though. It was an event in my life that proved I could get anywhere — as far as my dreams would take me — so long as I kept going. Persistence proved to be one of the most valuable skills I have in my personal and professional life. In 2021, many of our challenges seem worse, interrupted, or prolonged due to the pandemic. But if we keep pushing through, we can outrun the world. I hope that, no matter what, you’re still running strong; and if you’re not, know that we’re on your side. Thanks for reading this, friends. I’ll see you next month.

Sometimes, you don’t realize what you’re good at right away. I started running when I was young, but I wasn’t fast. Having been born in September, I was always the youngest kid in my class. When you’re in the younger grades, a few months is a big deal. Then, one day, I was chasing Danny Parr on the playground at St. Thomas More. He was the fastest kid in my class. Danny was ahead of me, but I kept on him — eventually, Danny gave up and came to a stop. I plowed into him and knocked him down. That’s when I realized that, while I couldn’t run the fastest, I could run farther than anyone else. I decided to enter the Omaha Marathon when I was 14. I was a freshman at South High. Don Jamison was a fellow runner on the cross- country team. After our freshman year on the team, we decided to train for the marathon together. I would meet him at 50th & Center, and we would run to Rosenblatt or Westroads.

We spent all summer getting ready for the marathon, increasing our mileage slowly but surely. It’s a lot of work to run 26 miles at a time. We usually ran 10–15 miles at a time, edging slowly toward our goal. Training alone was a harrowing experience, especially in South Omaha’s heat. Running on asphalt roads in 90-degree weather with 80% humidity is harrowing. You wonder in your head, “How long can I keep this up?” Running, like most sports, is a mental game — one that you must get tough at, or you’ll fall behind. People often talk about how sports affect daily life, and it certainly did for me. When the day of that marathon finally came, I woke up early in the morning and went to the starting line with Don. There were thousands of people. Although I’d spent many months training, there’s a component to the race that nothing can prepare you for: the wall. For most runners, it happens after about 15 to 20 miles. For me, after 18 miles, my body began to shut

Christopher J. Grimmond

Medicare Insurance Made Easy

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FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES How Pets Improve Our Health and Happiness

As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to

each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health.

Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

UNIQUE MEDICARE 2021 CHANGES, PART I PART B PREMIUM AND COLA INCREASES

My grandmother used to say, “Live long enough, and you will see everything.” We’re certainly seeing a lot of unique changes this year because of the pandemic. There are no copays for COVID-19 tests, and vaccines are free. The federal government wants to defeat this virus, and Medicare is reflecting that public health policy. Many Medicare plans already included telehealth options. With the pandemic, this has become an even more common option — and one that doesn’t often come with a copay. Medicare Part B Premium in 2021 The most significant change to Medicare for 2021 is the Part B premium, which has increased from $145.60 to $148.50 per month per person. This is a $2.90 monthly increase. Each year, members of Congress fight to establish the premium amount, often threatening to raise it much more. However, constituents call their representatives and advocacy groups lobby, so the price usually goes down. Medicare Part B covers many different services. It also comes with a deducible that must be paid for out of pocket before the 20% coinsurance starts. The deductible increased just $5 this year. It was $198 in 2020, and now it’s $203. Note that the

Medicare Part B deductible is separate and distinct from the Part A deductible.

For Plan G, the Part B deductible is the only payment, aside from the monthly premium. The Medigap policy fills the remaining gaps in Part A and Part B coverage. COLA in 2021 Here’s another significant change: The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021 to reflect a cost- of-living adjustment (COLA). These benefits are payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. The Social Security COLA increase should not be less than the Medicare Part B premium increase, but there are some exceptions. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you will be held harmless on the increase, but those who do not take Social Security benefits will pay the increase. Thanks for reading! While we publish our newsletter monthly, this information and much more is available to all our clients. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more about changes to your plan!

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Testimonial

Take Game Night On a Walk 4 FUN APP GAMES THAT’LL TURN YOUR HIKE INTO GAMING NIGHT

“Chris answers the phone promptly and is on time for appointments. He is very knowledgeable about Medicare. He guided me through the enrollment process with Medicare, and there were many difficulties.”

If you’re having a hard time getting your kids off their devices to enjoy the outdoors, the good

news is that you can use their devices against them — with exercise-focused video games.

–David J.

Having an app to accompany your walks can be a great tool for family members to track their progress and reinforce a sense of accomplishment afterward. Here are a few games to get you started.

Vegan Potato Salad

Inspired by ThisSavoryVegan.com

No. 1: c:geo If you’ve never gone geocaching before, smartphones make it easier than ever to jump in. Just pop open the app, check local caches, and go on a real-life treasure hunt to find them. Although there are multiple geocaching apps out there, c:geo is one of the best for beginners to dip their toes in. Plus, it’s an unofficial app for Geocaching.com, one of the world’s biggest communities for the hobby. No. 2 (& 3): Zombies, Run! and The Walk These are both role-playing narrative fitness apps, designed to tell you an audio story as you get your cardio exercise in. Zombies, Run! is one of the longest running (figuratively and literally) narrative adventures out there, with content spanning over 500 miles. In a post-apocalyptic world, you play as Runner 5 and find supplies and survivors for your group. You might hear the living undead begin to groan if you slow down too much. But if a horror apocalypse is a little too intense, try The Walk instead. It’s a political thriller where you play an individual who might save the world — but only if you walk to the other side of the U.K. and deliver a package while avoiding the forces of evil. Try it with your family and “binge” on a new kind of drama show. No. 4: Pokémon GO This worldwide sensation app changed how people saw Pokémon and how they saw reality. Suddenly, local trails and national parks were PokéStops. If you’re looking for a fun way to engage your youngest kids outdoors, Pokémon GO just might be the way to “go.” Catch Pokémon, find eggs, and hatch them as you get plenty of exercise along the way.

Prep for barbecue season by perfecting this delicious vegan-friendly side dish!

Ingredients • 1 1/2 lbs potatoes, any type • 1 cup plant-based mayonnaise • 2 tbsp white vinegar • 1 tbsp yellow mustard

• 3/4 cup celery, chopped • 3 green onions, chopped • 1 kosher dill pickle, chopped • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover with water. On high heat, bring potatoes to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cook until tender. 2. Drain the water and let potatoes sit for 15 minutes. 3. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, celery, green onions, pickle, salt, and pepper. Place in the refrigerator until ready for use. 4. Once the potatoes cool, slice them into 1-inch pieces. 5. Add the potatoes to the dressing and mix gently to avoid mashing the potatoes.

6. Add more salt and pepper to taste. 7. Cool the dish for 1 hour before serving.

We hope these ideas helped. Have fun out there!

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

INSIDE This Issue

1

The Day I Realized I Was a Long-Distance Runner

2

Caring for Pets Brings Health and Happiness

2

Unique Medicare 2021 Changes, Part I

3

Get Your Kids Outdoors With These Apps

3

Vegan Potato Salad

4

How Lulu the Pig Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack

Lulu the Pot-Bellied Pig’s Cunning Plan to Save Her Owner Man’s Smartest Friend

According to animal experts, pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal, including cats and dogs. That may seem hard to believe, as you probably associate pigs with a pink, smelly animal that oinks and rolls around in the muck. However, the story of how Lulu the pot-bellied pig saved her owner’s life might persuade you to reconsider. Back in 1998 (otherwise this story would have certainly gone viral), Lulu the pig was a permanent fixture at Jo Ann and Jack Altsman’s property in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. They had initially only taken Lulu from her original owner, the Altsmans’ daughter, for a temporary stay, but they ended up bonding with Lulu, and she was with them for much longer than expected. On Aug. 4, Jo Ann suffered from a heart attack. Jack was out of town on a fishing trip, and even though Jo Ann cried for help and even threw an alarm clock out the window, no one heard her cries from their somewhat secluded home. The family’s dog, Bear, barked and barked to no avail. Lulu, however, knew Jo Ann needed help quickly and waddled into action.

Lulu made her way to the nearest road,

scraping her skin in the process and leaving it torn and bleeding. Once she reached the road, she laid down as if to play dead. Not long

after that, a passing driver saw Lulu and stopped to check on her. Once Lulu was sure she had the driver’s attention, she got up and waddled back toward her home, leading the driver to where Jo Ann lay on the floor. When the driver found Jo Ann, he immediately called 911, and emergency services took her to a medical center for open-heart surgery. Had just 15 more minutes passed without help, Jo Ann would have died. For her heroism, Lulu received the Tiffany gold hero’s medal from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and made multiple television appearances as her fame spread. Hopefully, she was smart enough to know just how much she was appreciated.

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