June 2019 Updates
June 2019 Updates
Hello Friends,
I hope everyone’s summer is off to a great start. The Miller’s are busier than ever with sports and summer fun. We at YIA are getting prepared for the 4th quarter which is going to be a doozy with all of the changes coming in January. We have become accustomed to many pending changes, and are as ready as ever to guide you all on the best possible recommendations for each of your unique situations.
In addition to playing hard, we are working hard traveling to conferences and meetings with governmental and industry insiders to get a pulse on the changes coming our/your way in regards to healthcare. I am writing this 30 thousand feet in the air on my way home to Atlanta from Omaha, Nebraska where I learned about coming changes to medical insurance.
Medicare
This will be one of the biggest and busiest AEP’s (annual enrollment period) to date with the coming of MACRA. We are still trying to evaluate what and how big of a change to the market there will be for current Medicare beneficiaries and also for future beneficiaries. There is a always a push and pull with modifications to current and future beneficiaries. What do I mean by current and future Medicare recipients? In general, I am talking about current users of Medicare into Medicare Part A or B, or who will be users in a short, five to ten years. The Republicans and Democrats have many different views on Medicare ages, and will be deciding if they are going to make changes and when the cut off is. Generally, it is determined by who votes for them more.
Either way, MACRA is coming and will be here 12/31/2019. Scare tactics to get you to buy something or change something in the market are already being used. We aim to be the voice of reason and make recommendations, not on fear, but using logic and collective wisdom from industry thought leaders. We will use this knowledge to make recommendations on what is best for you and your families, not for us.
Individual Insurance
The under 65 non-group market is ever changing. I frequently get requests from people to plan what their cost and options will be in the next few years for health insurance. I always say, ”Six months is a lifetime in this business and no one can predict next year until the upcoming fall." Health Insurance/Healthcare is a political football and hot topic in Washington. Also, we have an election next year and the divide being so vast between the two parties, there is no way to predict the outcomes. All we can do is use our judgments and insight and recommend what we would do if we were in your shoes, which we will do - every time.
Short Term Coverage
We have been selling a good bit of short term medical insurance. If you are super healthy, don't mind self-insuring for little things and want to save 40-50% off traditional major medical coverage take a look at this .
On a Personal Note
Summer is here again, and the Miller’s are traveling a good bit for sports. It's an interesting time to have children in competitive sports. On the one hand, we are lucky enough to support the boys in their pursuit of excellence and help to teach them values, such as work ethic, winning and losing with grace, sportsmanship, and commitment. On the other hand, we recognize the ridiculousness of children acting like semi-pro athletes and spending thousands of dollars on the sports dreams of our children. Also, parents on sidelines keep getting nastier and nastier over children’s activities. I continually witness disrespect for refs, coaches, and even other children over minor infractions. Even I, aware of the ridiculousness, catch myself saying things I am not proud of being caught up in the heat of the moment. A friend at a game the other day said, ”Hopefully the parents don’t ruin it for the kids today.” Which is a very astute point, as kids feed off the parents. Wish us luck this summer, and as always we sincerely appreciate our relationships with every one of you!