July & August Highlights in Health & Care

Welcome to you all, as it is great to share here,

As we transition from the warmth of summer into the crispness of autumn, we will take a moment to review the eventful months of July and August. More importantly, we look forward to the significant changes coming in September. If you are here, you are part of our community, and your role in staying connected and informed is crucial to the evolution of our healthcare industry.

We are now in the pre-4th quarter madness, and when everyone is on vacation, it is our best time to learn and figure out what is coming our way. We reviewed all certifications and spent hours in conference classes, panels, and leading meditation sessions.

What I truly cherish about this period is the wealth of community gatherings, constructive conversations, and mind-blowing discoveries. These interactions are invaluable as we navigate the ever-constant change in our healthcare industry.

Seeing so many of you at all kinds of gatherings was also heart-warming.

There were a few things on my mind this summer other than starting to review our upcoming rate increase and changes and watching so many markets and conversations around what is basically scamming us and taking us away from freedom of speech and reality. Sustainability keeps coming back to me in conversation as we must move our healthcare into the front line of affordability, access, and authenticity; otherwise, is it worth it?

As I mentioned, we are now in the pre-Health Insurance Open Enrollment period, during which I traveled to many conferences and learned about the 2025 market. This is not new news, and it is heartbreaking to see that we have no innovation, changes, or accommodations that will be positive to report. This means that we will need to review, learn, and understand how we can find the best access and how we should always take care of ourselves.

Opened the Medicare Summit in LA on August 14th—Magic Johnson's 65th birthday! 🌟 We all shared a few moments of connection and opening events, especially in the healthcare industry, moving us to the physical aspect of health and healing. I am inspired and grateful to be a part of this life-changing journey. # MedicareSummit # LifeChanging # Gratitude

As we prepare for September, it is important to watch your mail. Every letter counts, and every e-mail from the insurance carrier and or from us is important so you can learn if there is an issue with your policy and what actions you need to take for the upcoming OPE2025.

Fun Fact about sustainability: Tesla's Environmental Impact:

Did you know? Last year, the Tesla community’s environmental efforts prevented the emission of approximately 20 metric tons of CO2! That’s equivalent to eliminating the pollution from over 50,000,000,000 miles driven by gas-powered cars. This achievement exemplifies the power of collective action and the ability to come together and understand its importance. This is health and well-being, which is critical for our future of care.

With that in mind, I want to remind you to make an appointment to see your general doctor, OBGYN, gastroenterologist, and dentist. The kids are back to school now, and check-ups are crucial for maintaining good health, so remember to prioritize yourself. Mindful moments –spend time in silence daily to invite wisdom and health and connect to ourselves -

Take good care, stay positive, and remember, your thoughts and feedback are always welcome. We encourage you to share your thoughts with us anytime, as your voice is integral to our community.

Happy Labor Day and we hope you are gearing up for a well-deserved break this upcoming weekend-

For a creative month full of joy,

❤ Naama & the RightPlan Team

Employers

Important Update Regarding Cigna and Oscar Health Insurance Plans

We wanted to remind you that as of the end of 2024, the Cigna + Oscar co-branded small group insurance plans will no longer be available.

If your current health insurance is through Cigna + Oscar, we highly recommend to start reviewing your provider’s network currently. We are working on the employer options on our end –

You might want to pay attention to - SB 399, we got this from the Chamber of Commerce;  a bill currently under consideration in Sacramento, which seeks to severely limit corporate communication with employees on workplace-related issues. While billed as a safeguard against political interference, check it out as the bill might be unnecessary and could hinder open dialogue between employers and employees on crucial topics such as company policies, industry trends, healthcare, and regulatory changes.

Employer Healthcare Coverage in the United States: A Closer Look

Healthcare coverage is a critical and pressing issue in the United States, and it's imperative to recognize the dominant influence of employer-sponsored healthcare, which directly impacts us all.

It is nice to see that California undeniably leads the highest rate of employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, boasting an impressive 17.95 million covered employees. This statistic unequivocally underscores the pivotal role played by employers in providing essential healthcare benefits.

Understanding the Impact of Employer-sponsored healthcare not only ensures access to vital medical services but also indisputably contributes to overall well-being and job satisfaction. Sometimes, the package is a few thousand dollars per month! Make sure that you are aware of your package and what is always the employer's cost and contribution. Appreciation is too often overlooking the benefits.

Creditable Drug Coverage

If you're 65 or older, still working, and choosing to keep your employer's group benefits, your employer must inform you and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether your prescription drug coverage is "creditable." This means the coverage provided by your employer is at least as good as Medicare Part D coverage. A plan is considered creditable if its actuarial value meets or exceeds that of standard Medicare Part D coverage.

Employers determine creditable coverage in various ways: For insured plans, they should check with their carriers. For self-insured plans, or if no determination has been made, employers can use a simplified method if certain design requirements are met. Employers must also provide a Notice of Creditable Coverage (NOCC) to you and all Medicare-eligible individuals covered under the plan. This notice must be given annually before October 15.

Covered CA

Action Required: Periodic Data Matching

To ensure continued coverage through Covered California, we need to verify your income, if you are over 65, and check your Medicare status, enrollment, or any changes to your eligibility twice a year. If you receive a letter labeled "NOD70A" or "NOD70B," please respond within 30 days. Please do so to avoid automatically discontinuing your coverage due to unresolved data inconsistencies.

 Important Update: Special Enrollment Changes

The State of Emergency Special Enrollment Period is still on ~ you can enroll depending on the reason.

If you are affected by a natural or human-caused disaster (Severe storms) that results in a Governor’s State of Emergency proclamation, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Starting August 1, 2024, the Special Enrollment application will no longer include the “Paid Penalty for Not Having Health Coverage” option in the Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Please keep this in mind when managing your enrollment.

We are currently learning about the rate changes for January 2025, and we would like to encourage you to have a conversation with your providers for the 2025 year to see if you can lower your monthly premium by changing your carrier. We are experiencing issues with the HMO providers in our region, and this is concerning as there are fewer providers available currently..

Medicare

We are getting ready for the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment- reminder for the dates:

October 15^th – December 7^th, 2024, for January 1^st 2025 effective date.

It is CRUCIAL that you start sending us your current list of medications ([email protected])so we can update and review it. From July 1st, Medicare will be stepping up its support, providing extra help and significant discounts on 64 prescription drugs. This substantial initiative is designed to help you better afford your prescription medications and alleviate the financial strain, ensuring you feel supported and cared for.

Furthermore, many changes are on the horizon for 2025, but we have great news about part D—the prescriptions: Starting in January 2025, there will be a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for all Medicare drug plans, ensuring greater financial security. So, at least, this is news that we want to share as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Did you get a new Medicare ID number this year? If so, please e-mail it to Dyanne at [email protected] ASAP!!!

If you are covered now under Aetna, they are offering members 20% savings at CVS on certain products Aetna members can save 20% on thousands of select health and wellness CVS Health® brand items in-store and online with an exclusive coupon. To get a discount coupon, sign in to the secure member side of www.AetnaSeniorProducts.com  and choose Discounts. You can also print the PDF with the barcode and show it to the cashier. For online purchases: Use the coupon code provided on the Discounts webpage when shopping online

Don’t wait to be sick to take care of your health - Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures, either in a whole-body chamber or applied locally, to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote recovery. While popular among athletes, its benefits are still being studied, and it's essential to consult a healthcare provider before use.

Please note, that it is an acquired practice and therapy, and every time we experience it, it will be easier on our bodies. But it has many benefits:

👀Prevent Disease & Inflammation: Integrating cryotherapy into our lives helps prevent major diseases and reduces inflammation

👀 Reduced Inflammation: Cryotherapy lowers inflammation linked to chronic diseases.

👀 Enhanced Immune Function: Stimulates the immune system for better illness defense.

👀 Improved Circulation: Cold exposure improves cardiovascular health.

👀 Pain Relief: Helps manage chronic pain and inflammation.

👀 Boosted Metabolism: Increases metabolic rate, aiding weight management.

👀 Mental Health Benefits: Improves mood and reduces anxiety and depression.

👀 Enhanced Recovery: Accelerates injury recovery, preventing long-term damage.

What we are reading

The Madness of Crowds

In "The Madness of Crowds", Louise Penny explores how collective thinking can drive irrational behavior, revealing the dangers and dynamics of mass movements. A must-read on the power and peril of group psychology.

Travel 

Planning a visit to the United States?

Whether you’re coming to the U.S. or helping your loved ones plan a visit, visitor insurance is crucial for financial protection in case of an unexpected accident or illness while in the U.S.

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are much higher than in the rest of the world, which is why it’s so important to choose the right visitor insurance plan

🔽 If you have a PASSPORT, you need a plan😊 

USE THIS LINK TO ENROLL

 🔽

Get Travel Insurance

If you have any more questions, please contact Omar at [email protected] or call us at 818.508.7177

Wishing you safe and peaceful travels,

From Naama, and the RightPlan team 💚