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Suggestions For Senior Citizen’s Gifts

Question: The holidays are here and I can’t imagine what to get my parents. They are starting to downsize and keep saying they don’t want anything. I don’t know what they need. What ideas do you have? Answer: Christmas time and the holiday season can be stressful. We want to be sure we remember to give gifts to everyone we love. But what to get them? What do they need. Also giving stuff just to give stuff, doesn’t really help anyone. So hopefully this helps. Our older family, neighbors, and friends rely on those that help them to make their life better. Sometimes this can be ...

A Few Options Remain To Change Plans

Question: I did not switch my insurance by the December 7 deadline and that may have been a mistake. What chance for change do I have? Answer: The Annual Open Enrollment has ended. There are 20 Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) that are available to individuals that meet those different SEP criteria. I am going to focus on two opportunities for switching plans, EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) & those whose plan is no longer offered in 2026. EPIC is a New York State Pharmacy Assistance Program that provides secondary coverage when paying for your medications at the ...

What To Know About Enrolling In New Plans

Question: I researched my options for insurance for 2026 and have enrolled. What do I do about my own plan? Answer: It depends. That is almost always my answer. But I also want to remind everyone; That there are many of you who have extra time this year to change your coverage, because your plan has been discontinued. So, if your coverage has been cancelled be sure to make a decision before the end of December, to get new coverage for the new year! Now back to your question! Let’s look at some of the possibilities. This Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 to Dec 7) is tied to ...

Medicaid Rates For 2026 Have Been Released

Question: When do we find out what the 2026 Medicare rates will be? Answer: It is that time of year when lots of new information is announced. I am very pleased to say that we finally have the answers to these questions. It is useful to know what your premiums and other cost shares for Medicare will be when considering your insurance options. Social Security announced their 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the increase is 2.8%. That means your Social Security Benefit (gross amount) will go up by 2.8%. That becomes a $28 increase on a $1,000 benefit, your amount will most ...

There’s Much To Consider Before Changing Insurance

Question: I just got a letter from my Medicare Supplement plan and the letter says the monthly premium rates are going up? Should I change my insurance? Answer: I have heard this question a lot this week. Almost all the Medigap plans raised their rates for the coming 2026 calendar year. So let me work to clarify some of the issues relating to the pricing structures and the increases. In New York State the pricing of Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) are based on your County of Residence. For the purposes of this article, I am concentrating on Chautauqua & Cattaraugus ...

How To Handle Discontinued Insurance Plans

Question: This is the second year in a row that my insurance plan has been discontinued. Now I have to find new insurance again! Is this going to happen every year? I am really frustrated. Answer: Medicare Insurance options have had a rough couple of years. The industry calls that ‘Significant Market Disruption’. For those individuals with those products, it feels like a significant hassle! It is important to understand that this isn’t happening to just you. It is happening to individuals with Medicare all over the country. This Significant Market Disruption is caused by a ...