personal Archives - Premier Insurance Services

Don’t Miss Medicare Open Enrollment

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:November 29, 2021
Post category:All

Medicare open enrollment is a critical time for seniors aged 65 and other Medicare beneficiaries. It's the only time during the year when you can make changes to your Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies, while still enjoying guaranteed enrollment status. The dates are different for new Medicare enrollees than they are for existing Medicare beneficiaries, so pay close attention to the open enrollment period for your category. For current Medicare enrollees If you are already enrolled in Medicare, then your open enrollment for 2022 runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 this year. During this period, you…

Medicare: Take Advantage of Open Enrollment!

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:November 12, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Are you in the best available Medicare plan for your situation? For many Medicare beneficiaries, the answer is no and that can be a costly mistake. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 71% of Medicare beneficiaries don't research their plan options when Open Enrollment comes around. But Medicare plans can make changes every year. Your current Medicare plan may be changing any of these important items: Deductibles Coinsurance Maximum out-of-pocket costs Premiums Care provider networks Prescription drugs and access. Prescription drug plans are particularly prone to making changes in their formulary of covered drugs, rules under…

Want to be Prepared for Retirement? Work With a Professional

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:June 15, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family Senior Care

Did you know that people who use financial advisors are more likely to feel confident in their retirement preparedness than people who don’t? Well, according to a recent report from the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute, it’s true. Reportedly, out of the pre-retirees surveyed by the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute, 43% of those who work with an advisor claimed to feel well prepared for retirement. In contrast, only 21% of those who do not work with a financial advisor report feeling similarly confident. It Helps to Have a Plan Additionally, the survey found that having a formal, written retirement plan is…

Close-up of man and younger woman examining car after accident.

Fender-benders – Your Guide to Minor Accidents

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:June 15, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Accidents can happen all too easily; and, if not handled properly, the situation can quickly spin out of control. Imagine that you find yourself in this scenario: While behind the wheel, you misjudge the space between your car and the one in front of you when making a turn in close traffic. You tap the rear bumper of the car in front of you. The other driver gets out of their car to inspect the bumper. They appear to be unhurt, and you don’t see any noteworthy damage to the car either. The other driver tells you to forget about…

Trends Are Favorable for Medicare Advantage Plans

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:April 28, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Medicare Advantage plans continue growing in their attractiveness to seniors with their expanded benefits and higher quality of care. According to an industry group, the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), there are several positive trends for MA plans that are likely to continue. They offer a high quality of care Medicare rates MA plans on a "star rating" basis, with one star representing the lowest quality and five stars being the best. When the rating system began, about a quarter of MA members were in a plan rated four stars or higher. Eight years later, more than three-quarters were…

Drugmakers Raise Prices under Cover of COVID-19

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:April 21, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Drugmakers increased more brand-name list prices this January than in any other January in the past 10 years. The month is marked by drug price increases every year, but a review by the nonprofit 46brooklyin found that pharmaceutical companies had pushed through 929 price increases in the first 25 days of the year. That's more than the 737 price hikes they made in all of January 2020. 46brooklyn also examined the top 25 drugs by gross spending in Medicare Part D and found that the pharmaceutical companies had increased the prices of 20 of them by an average of 4.3%…

Why Even Single People Should Consider Life Insurance

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:April 14, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Most singles be they in their 20s or even 50s do not carry life insurance. They reason that since they don't have spouses or dependents, there is no reason to purchase life insurance as their death won't leave anybody in a financial bind. But that reasoning is not always sound and there are a number of circumstances when a single person should consider carrying a life policy: They have debt One of the main expenditures of life insurance payout recipients is paying off the debts of the deceased policyholder. Singles may have debt and if anyone has co-signed on any…

Feeling Down? Here Are Eight Natural Ways to Brighten Your Mood

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:April 7, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

It's normal for our mood and energy levels to fluctuate every now and then. However, it can affect our daily routine, including how we normally function in our everyday lives. This is especially true now, as the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term effects on our collective mental health. While we can't always control what triggers our stress and mood changes, there are certain steps you can take to controlling them without having to resort to alcohol or other vices. Below are eight ways that you can boost your mood and mindset naturally. Exercise Physical activity is one of the…