April 2024

Should you change your Medicare plan?

Maybe yes, but...maybe no!

Just this past month, I met with a gentleman that attended one of my Medicare 101 seminars in November. His birthday is coming up in May and he scheduled an appointment to see me. He was already enrolled in part A & B and was unclear on a secondary plan. Prior to the meeting I asked for him to bring a list of his medications and doctors.

When he arrived at my office he had two giant shopping bags and a medium sized cardboard box. In the two shopping bags he had all of the mail he received regarding different Medicare plans. All of it "Junk" meant to confuse seniors and to create fear.

While discussing the client’s current health coverage, I discovered he was a retired teacher. I asked him when his coverage ends, he stated "Never, I have coverage for life.”

Now here is a well-educated man, that knew he had coverage for life but was so confused by all of the mailings and phone calls. I said "Sir, you are absolutely correct, you said it, you have benefits for life. Now throw all of that junk mail away and don't ever let anyone switch you, in fact don't ever speak to anyone about Medicare.”

The 65 + demographic is the most targeted demographic and there is so much Medicare Fraud and abuse. Sit down with a trusted Medicare advisor and review your coverage before you make any decisions.

You can contact me at James@SafeHavenInsuranceAgency.com. or 631-608-1137. I am happy to help!

Can you make changes to your Medicare plan outside of enrollment periods?

MAYBE...SEPS!

The medical world is overflowing with acronyms. When you hear SEPS thrown around, this is what it means: Special Enrollment Periods.

SEPS are periods of time outside of normal enrollment periods when you can enroll or change your Medicare plan.

You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you've had certain life events including: losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.

There are also FEMA and natural disaster SEPS. The governor of the state you reside in establishes these. A SEPS for individuals affected by an emergency or disaster who need to enroll in, disenroll from, or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans and missed other election periods is available in areas where an emergency or disaster has been declared by a Federal, state or local government entity. It is available for the duration of the emergency or disaster plus an additional two months following the end date of the emergency or disaster as identified in the declaration or, if different, the date the end of the incident is announced, whichever is later. Elections are effective the first of the month after the plan receives your election request.

Who qualifies?

The special opportunity to enroll in, disenroll from, or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans applies to all individuals who:

Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period described in this guidance, in an area for which a federal, state, or local government entity has declared a disaster or other emergency or they do not reside in an affected area but rely on help making healthcare decisions from one or more individuals who reside in an affected area; and
Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility; and
Did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.

Now, every SEP is different, in fact you may not think you’re eligible, some SEPS are a little difficult to believe. For instance, some Governors called for an SEPS due to the smog from the Canadian forest fires, some blizzards, gun violence, flooding, etc. These are all opportunities to switch a plan that you would otherwise be stuck with if you "missed" the opportunity to switch during a regularly scheduled election period.

If you are unclear if you qualify, call me and I will help clarify the opportunities for you. James@SafeHavenInsuranceAgency.com. or 631-608-1137.

My interest in Medicare insurance originated with my dear Grandmother. After she took a fall and broke her hip she entered a rehab facility where they changed her plan without permission. She had previously had a plan well-suited to her needs. In all the confusion, she ended up with a plan that was not right for her.

I realized that with all the confusion surrounding Medicare, people were making decisions based on fear and misunderstanding instead of facts and proper guidance.

Seeing the great need, I wanted to become a resource for seniors. I want them to have the right plan for their unique needs. Upon reviewing their needs, if they already have the best plan for them, I am happy to tell them so. If not, I want to educate them on the best plan for their health and their budget.

I was originally an agent with a company that only allowed me to write through them. When someone did not meet the qualifications for that company, I couldn’t help them. I became an independent agent so I could help all people and find them the best coverage for their specific needs.

So…I do what I do for my beloved Grandmother…and for you.

I had the pleasure recently of appearing on the Donna Drake Show to discuss Medicare. Please visit the recording of that show to learn more about Medicare and me! Click here

Safe Haven is a Proud Member of these Awesome Teams!

National Aging In Place Council

The National Aging in Place Council is a non-profit group of local professionals who serve the L.I. Senior Community. Our members are experts in a diverse range of businesses working together to provide seniors and their caregivers with the resources they need.

Click here for more information on the NAIPC

Pulse Center for Patient Safety, Education, & Advocacy

is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness

about patient safety through advocacy, education and support.

I am proud to sit on the PULSE Board of Directors

Click here for more information on PULSE

Walk To End Alzheimer's 2024

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's^® is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

I am proud to sit on the Walk Committee.

Click here for more information on the Walk to End Alzheimer's, 2024

Thank you. Your kind words mean so much to us

"My husband & I were so impressed by the knowledge and service that James provided us. Before meeting James we weren’t sure what to expect. You would be truly doing a disservice to yourself, if you didn’t make an appointment with James."

Joe S.

"Safe Haven Agency is great! James was very easy to work with he understood all of my needs and was able to relate to my situation. He made things very clear and I was able to understand the process. 10/10 I will refer to all my friends and family! Thank you Safe Haven!"

James R.