By Ulla-Undine Merritt (Dee) National Producer Number (NPN) 8853366
When hurricane season arrives in Southwest Florida, preparing your home is only part of the plan. It is just as important to prepare for your medical care, prescriptions, and insurance coverage — especially if you need to evacuate or receive care outside your usual service area.
Keep Your Insurance Information With You
During hurricane season, always keep your medical insurance cards with you. If you must evacuate, having your cards, medication list, doctor information, and pharmacy details readily available can make it easier to receive care when you need it.
Understand How Your Plan Works
Most HMO plans have a limited local network and usually require your primary care doctor to refer you for services or specialists. In a medical emergency, your plan should cover the care needed to stabilize your condition. PPO plans generally offer both in-network and out-of-network benefits, so you may have more flexibility if you are away from home — although using an out-of-network provider may cost more.
Review Your Medicare Plan Changes
Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans send members an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This notice explains changes in coverage, costs, and other plan details that take effect in January. Review it carefully so you can confirm that your doctors are still in network and that your prescriptions remain covered for 2027.
Plan details for the upcoming year are typically available beginning October 1. Having a knowledgeable agent you can count on can make this review much easier.
Important Enrollment Dates
• Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP):
October 15 through December 7, with changes effective January 1.
• Marketplace/Obamacare Open Enrollment:
November 1 through January 15. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
Protect Yourself From Unwanted Medicare Calls
Do not leave your plan selection until the last minute. Work with a local agent who represents all or most of the insurance carriers in your service area. It is illegal for an insurance agent to call, text, knock on your door, or talk to you about Medicare products without your prior permission.
If you receive an unwanted Medicare-related call, ask for the caller’s National Producer Number. In many cases, the call will end quickly. If the caller provides a number, write it down and let them know you plan to report the call to Medicare.
Travel Insurance Matters
Did you know that most health insurance does not cover you outside the country, including on a cruise in international waters? Travel insurance is not just about trip cancellation. It can also help protect you if you become sick or have an accident while traveling. Medical travel insurance is often affordable compared with the potential cost of care away from home.
Life Insurance Can Start Earlier Than You Think
You are never too young to have life insurance, and many types offer living benefits. For example, I purchase life insurance for my grandchildren almost as soon as they are born. Their policies can build cash value that may be used later in life for education, a wedding, or even a first home purchase.
The younger you are, the lower the cost may be. There are many types of life insurance, and it is important to understand the differences. Payment options, such as 10-pay policies, may allow premiums to be paid in full over 10 years; other terms may also be available.
Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term care insurance can help pay for in-home or facility-based care, including assistance with activities of daily living. Planning ahead matters: your age and overall health can play a major role in the cost of coverage.
Consider exploring long-term care insurance in your 40s, although it is never too late to try. Payment options may include a single premium or a 10-pay option, where the premium is paid in full over 10 years. Many companies also offer discounts for joint policies with a spouse. Remember, Medicare is not designed to cover long-term nursing home or skilled nursing care.
Have You Moved or Had a Life Change?
Special Enrollment Periods may apply if you moved out of your plan’s service area, are new to Medicare, are retiring and leaving an employer group plan, are going into or out of skilled nursing, have Medicaid, or meet other qualifying circumstances.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
Logical Insurance Solutions offers free Medicare seminars in Lee and Collier County. To register, e-mail info@logicalinsurance.com or call 239-362-0855 for upcoming dates. You can also visit Medicare’s official website at www.Medicare.gov.
Logical Insurance Solutions is a Southwest Florida insurance broker that works with most insurance carriers. We are happy to help you through the maze. This is what we do every day, and it is second nature to us. We offer virtual seminars, one-on-one Webex meetings, phone appointments, and in-person appointments.
To learn more about your options or to schedule an appointment, contact Logical Insurance Solutions for all your insurance needs. I am licensed in 36 states.
Logical Insurance Solutions USA
www.Logicalinsurance.com
info@Logicalinsurance.com
1361 Royal Palm Square Blvd Suite 2
Fort Myers FL 33919