Omaha Insurance Solutions - January 2022

Omaha Insurance Solutions - January 2022

Club MED

WHY I WEAR MY GRANDFATHER’S WATCH I was recently in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for my niece’s wedding. My nephew, Christopher Joseph, asked me how “the watch” was doing. I have a silver-cased pocket watch, an heirloom from my grandfather, Paul Joseph Grimmond. bought standardized watches from Elgin and other companies and inspected them twice a month for accuracy. That is the tradition behind my grandfather’s watch. My grandfather meant for the watch to go to the oldest Grimmond January 2022 Tracking Time — A Family Tradition

My nephews will have a nice collection of watches to fight over when I’m gone. I doubt they will have the same memories as I had growing up, but they may recall a few things about their old Uncle Chris. My nephews are typical kids — appreciation for any tradition, let alone family tradition, doesn’t always register. Hopefully, in the next few years as they mature, my brothers and I will be able to pass on our family’s traditions, appreciation of things and persons who have gone before them, and how the world works. My father loved to tinker and putter around the garage on cars, motors, and machines. He didn’t work on watches, but he appreciated anything mechanical. Mechanical watches date from the 15th century. The science, art, and mechanical technology of watches are amazing. I hope my nephews will carry on those traditions to the next generation of Grimmonds.

Grandpa Grimmond worked for one of the many railroads subsumed by the Union Pacific over the decades. Being a railroad man, he needed a watch that kept good time. He had an Elgin National Watch Company railroad watch. When I first took it into a jewelry shop to be serviced, the watchmaker showed me how it worked. The bezel needed to be unscrewed. Then there was a lever that was pulled out to set the time. The reason you cannot adjust the time from the crown of the watch was to prevent the watch from accidentally changing time. A pocket watch could shift around in a conductor’s pocket. The crown might become unscrewed and change the time on the watch. Accurate time was critical for railroad men. On Aug. 9, 1853, in Old Bridge, New Jersey, four people were killed in a railroad accident because the engineer’s watch was 2.5 minutes slow. On Aug. 12, 1853, in Valley Falls, Rhode Island, 14 were killed because the conductor’s watch was 2 minutes slow. On Aug. 12, 1878, in Mingo Junction, Ohio, 18 were killed because the conductor’s watch was 20 minutes slow. Eventually, the railroads

grandson — that’s me. Joey is next in line, so he asked about “the watch” at his sister’s wedding. Considering my father didn’t give me the watch to hold until I was 40-ish and Joey has a penchant for losing things, I will probably keep “the watch” for quite a while. When my father passed, he had a lot of stuff, including his watches — a square Bulova with a black dial for special occasions my mother gave him and a second Bulova for daily use with a white dial. I saw those watches every day growing up. As kids, we used to play with the elastic metal wrist bands that were popular at the time. I would marvel at how big my father’s wrist was compared to mine at 6 years old. Photos of my parents are great to look at, but I like my father’s watches because he wore them. Something about a watch worn up against skin each day is more personal. Wearing my dad’s watches makes me feel closer to him, especially when I visit my parents’ graves. They are buried in Calvary Cemetery across from Bergan Mercy Hospital.

What family traditions do you share with your younger family members?

–Christopher J. Grimmond

Medicare Insurance Made Easy

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3 BENEFITS OF STRETCHING

We’ve all been advised to stretch before working out or performing physical activities. However, some recent studies have cautioned against this practice, claiming it may lead to an increased chance of getting injured. Regardless, this does not mean you should cut stretching out of your life completely. Stretching is not just for athletes. Everyone can benefit from this practice, and there are many advantages that come with improving your flexibility. Getting in the habit of stretching after you wake up and before you go to bed can benefit many aspects of your overall health.

aside from the monthly premium is the Part B deductible. Those on a Plan N likewise will see the Part B deductible increase, with the other copays remaining the same. Additional categories are the Part A deductible and coinsurance. Part A has a $1,556 deductible starting in 2022, a $72 or 5% increase. The deductible is for the first 60 days as an inpatient in a hospital. The coinsurance from days 61–90 will be $389 for 2022, up from $371, which is an $18 or 5% increase. The daily coinsurance for the lifetime reserve days will be $778 going forward, which is a $36 or 5% increase. Under Part A, the skilled nursing facility coinsurance will go from $185.50 to $194.50 for days 21–100 in 2022. More of the cost burden for those with Medicare Supplements is now shifted to the beneficiary and the supplement. Soon the supplements will increase their charges to reflect the increased cost passed on to them. Medicare Advantage is different from Original Medicare Part A & Part B that works with Medicare supplements. The costs Medicare Advantage plans take on, and the capitation payments made to the insurance companies by CMS, are not published in the same way, but be assured that the Advantage plans have suffered similar increased costs. Next muscles and allows them to move easier. This still does not mean you should stretch right before working out, but by creating a routine where you stretch in the morning or at night (or both!), your muscles will stay looser, helping prevent muscle strains and tears. IMPROVED BALANCE AND POSTURE Strong posture and balance are essential for both everyday activities and athletic performance. Good posture is necessary for spine health, and you need good balance to do everything from walking down the street to standing and sitting. The flexibility gained through stretching improves the muscles that are needed for correct posture, and you will also increase your range of motion. RELAXATION AND REDUCED PAIN There are also certain stretches that help lengthen and open your muscles. When

year, the changes will be reflected in the Medicare Advantage plans’ copays, premiums, and coinsurance. The Consumer Price Index rose 6.8% from November 2020 to November 2021, the most significant 12-month increase since the period ending June 1982. Energy prices rose 33.3% over the last year, and food prices increased 6.1%. Medical prices only increased 4.9%, but medical expenses are usually a lagging cost after more immediate consumer goods, like food and gas (Bureau of Labor & Statistics). All of you remember the 1970s and early ’80s when interest rates were as high as 18%. Many of you were purchasing your first home. Fortunately, you were in your earning years. Your jobs and careers were growing along with your salaries. You heard about the challenges for those on “fixed incomes,” but your salaries were growing with inflation. It is amazing how quickly lessons are forgotten. I hope we do not see the same economic stress now as in the ’70s and ’80s, but prices will be going up in the foreseeable future, which also means Medicare and Medicare- related insurance will cost more. I will help in every way to direct you to policies, plans, and programs that lessen the financial burden, but the next couple of years will be different than the past few. your muscles are looser and relaxed, you’re less likely to feel pain or experience muscle cramps. Stretching can work wonders for people suffering from lower back pain. This pain is often caused by tight muscles, and stretching will loosen them and relieve that pain. Stretching can also help your mind loosen up and unwind, which will relieve stress and improve your mood.

Here are our top three benefits!

REDUCED RISK OF INJURY If your muscles are tight and you start working out, your chance of injury increases. Stretching helps to loosen your

Every November, CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) announces its changes to the Medicare program. The big number that people are most concerned about is the Medicare Part B premium covering doctor visits and outpatient procedures. Here are the important updates to know: Medicare Part A for the hospital still costs nothing. The new Part B premium is $170.10 per month per person. And, starting this month in January 2022, Social Security will start deducting that amount from your Social Security check or bank account. For those on Medicaid, the state will continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. For those paying the IRMAA tax, those numbers likewise increased for 2022. Other numbers increased as well. The Part B annual deductible increased from $203 to $233 for 2022, a $30 or 15% increase. The Part B deductible is particularly relevant for those with a Medigap Plan G. The only cost IS A MEDICARE PLAN YOUR 2022 RESOLUTION? GET NEW 2022 MEDICARE UPDATES HERE

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DON’T STRESS — IT’S DEDUCTIBLE TIME Is Your Copay $500 This Year?

Testimonial

“Chris made getting into Medicare easy.”

I wonder if you heard a big sigh of relief come from 11414 W. Center Road, Suite 250, on Dec. 8 just a month ago.

Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare is Oct. 15–Dec. 7. That is when Medicare beneficiaries may change their Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plans. We were running our fingers off entering prescriptions into the Medicare software to determine the most economical plans for clients. We ran hundreds of plans and probably changed an equal number. Every year, Medicare plans adjust drug coverage and copays. Even if your medications have not changed, the plans may change and drastically affect you. It is crucial, especially if you are on expensive medications, to check that you have the best plan for your situation. On Jan. 1, all of the 2022 Part D plans begin. This year, Jan. 1 is on a Saturday, but I do not think that will make any difference. The phone will start ringing off the hook for the first week of the new year. Most of the Part D plans have a $480 deductible. Last year, the deductible was $445. People will go to the pharmacy to pick up their medications, and some will have hefty copays. It happens every year, and I get distress calls. Even from people who have been through this multiple times. They seem to forget January is deductible time.

–Kim S.

Deep-Fried New Year’s ‘Cookies’

Inspired by MennoniteGirlsCanCook.ca

What do you get when you mix a cookie and a doughnut? A portzelky! This traditional Mennonite “New Year’s cookie” is perfect for sharing.

Ingredients • 2 tbsp yeast • 1/2 cup water, warmed • 1/2 cup and 1 tsp sugar, divided • 5 eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup butter, softened

People get used to paying $45 or $35 for their insulin or Eliquis. Then in January, the bill at the pharmacy counter is $500. Shock!

• 2 1/2 cups milk, warmed • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 4 cups raisins • 7 cups flour • 4 cups canola oil

I agree that humongous medication copays are not the way to begin the new year. It is worse than the credit card bill that comes in February. At least with Christmas gifts, you have something to show for the expense. The reality, however, is these copays are part of many people’s permanent budget. Unfortunately, there is no secret Medicare plan out there that takes away the cost. There are 22 Part D plans in this Omaha-Lincoln-Council Bluffs area. No more, no less. A few do not have the $480 deductible, but their premium is significantly higher, and so are the copays — the total cost matters when determining the best plan for the year. I suggest working with your doctor to make sure you have the lowest-cost medications that work for you. Check to see if the medication may be lower at another pharmacy on your plan. Like Baker’s and Walgreens, pharmacies have their own programs that discount certain medications. Discount cards, like GoodRx, offer coupons sometimes that significantly discount medications from what a Part D plan offers. For enormously expensive medications like Enbrel, contacting the pharmaceutical company may be the only viable option. Enbrel can run $6,500 per month. With few exceptions, you cannot change your Part D plan until next year. Call us if you find yourself in a difficult position with your medications. Two heads are better than one in figuring things out.

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine yeast, water, and 1 tsp sugar. Wait 10 minutes. 2. Stir in remaining sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and salt. 3. Fold in the raisins and flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for an hour. 4. In a high-sided pot or deep fryer, heat canola oil to 340 F. Line a plate with paper towels. 5. Drop a rounded tablespoon of dough into the oil. Fry until golden brown, then set aside on the plate. Poke the cookie with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, it’s cooked through! 6. Repeat until the batter is gone.

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

INSIDE This Issue

Do Young People Still Wear Watches?

1 2

Get Stretching!

2

Fulfill Your 2022 Resolution: Get a Medicare Plan

3

Why Is Your Part D Co-Pay $500?

3

Testimonial

3

Deep-Fried New Year’s ‘Cookies’

4

The Lost Art of the Thank-You Note

Your Guide to Writing a Thank-You Note A 2019 survey by Ask Your Target Market showed 80% of respondents appreciate receiving thank-you notes — but only 22% of respondents report regularly sending them. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. interviews. Notes should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month of the gift or event. Bringing Back a Lost Art

Use Paper. It may seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly what makes it special. In fact, the Ask Your Target Market survey found that 72% of respondents thought handwritten notes were more meaningful than electronic ones. Even if your handwriting is messy, your recipients will appreciate the personal touch. Exceptions apply for thank-you notes sent after job interviews — due to time sensitivity, these are best sent via email. Be Specific. Especially when you’ve got a large stack to get through, it’s pretty tempting to write the same note over and over again, changing only the salutation. Don’t give in! While it’s fine to have a template, recipients will recognize when the note you sent them is generic. Be sure

During the holiday season, you probably received several gifts and may have been hosted at a family member’s house, so now is the perfect time to revive the dying art of the thank-you note. If it’s been a while since you last wrote one, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. Know When a Note Is Needed. You should strongly consider sending a thank-you note any time you receive a gift, but they are particularly expected after big events like weddings or showers. It’s also good form to send a note whenever someone has done you a big favor or hosted you at their house. Professionally, thank-you notes should always be sent after job

to mention exactly what you’re thankful for (not just “the gift”) or how you plan to use the gift. Now, you’re ready to let people know how much you appreciate them in a way that’s both simple and classic. Your family, friends, and colleagues will be impressed, and who knows, you just might start a trend.

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