Your ACA Health Insurance Marketplace renewal notice is
on its way. It shows how your premium, coverage and subsidy will change in
2027, and Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. Before your plan
renews, let our local South Carolina agents review it with you, so you keep the
right coverage at a price you can afford.
Scam calls targeting Medicare beneficiaries are on the rise, especially as the fall season approaches. Learn the signs of a fake Medicare call, how to spot someone who isn't what they claim to be, and why having a trusted local agent is your best defense.
Read Article >>Today, the word "agent" has taken on a whole new
meaning. In an era of instant gratification, getting a quick insurance quote
online or using an AI algorithm to scan options has never been easier. With a
few simple clicks, you can receive a price estimate in seconds and even sign up
for a plan right on your screen.
However, while speed and convenience are nice, there is a
world of difference between finding the cheapest policy on the internet and
finding the right coverage for you and your family.
Starting July 1, 2026, the new Medicare GLP-1
Bridge program will allow those who qualify to get top weight loss medications
like Wegovy or Zepbound for a $50 a month copay. Be sure to visit our blog to
learn more about this program.
Prioritizing your mental
health is a vital part of aging well and understanding how your coverage
supports that journey is the first step toward peace of mind. At Lourie Life
& Health, we help our clients navigate the complexities of Medicare so if you
need services, you have access to the right counseling, therapy, and essential
medications. Our local agents are here to help you understand your benefits and
manage out-of-pocket costs.
Rising pharmacy costs, particularly for specialty drugs and GLP-1s, are creating an "affordability crunch" for small businesses. At Lourie Life & Health, we understand and provide more than just insurance; we offer strategic consulting to keep your employee benefits sustainable. From traditional, level-funded plans and ICHRAs to supplemental "gap" coverage, we can help you navigate complex pharmacy models and funding structures to protect your bottom line while providing quality care for your employees.
Read Article >>When a loved one passes away, families should be allowed the
space to grieve and honor their memory. Unfortunately, many are instead faced
with immediate and unexpected financial pressure. Final expense insurance—often
called burial or funeral insurance—is a simple, affordable way to ensure those
costs are covered. But what happens if you don’t have a plan in place?
At Lourie Life & Health, we believe in protecting your
family’s financial future. Understanding the realities of end-of-life expenses
is the first step in making sure your loved ones aren’t left with a heavy
burden.
Being self-employed brings many rewards:
flexibility, independence, and the satisfaction of building something that’s
your own. But it also means you’re responsible for more than just your daily
tasks—you’re responsible for protecting your family from financial hardship if
the unexpected happens.
At Lourie Life & Health, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate these unique challenges. Unlike working for a large company, self-employed individuals don’t receive automatic benefits. If you haven’t reviewed your life coverage, you may be leaving a serious gap in your financial safety net.
Read Article >>As a small business owner, offering health insurance to your employees can be a great way to attract and retain top talent. But we know it’s not always easy to navigate the options—especially when you want to keep costs manageable and have the flexibility to fit your business’s unique needs.
At Lourie Life & Health, we’re here to help you find the best health insurance solutions that work for both you and your employees. Whether you're just starting to explore options or you’re looking for more control over your costs, we’ve got you covered.
Read Article >>Health insurance can be expensive, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there’s a way to make it more affordable for millions of Americans. If you’ve heard about ACA subsidies and $0 premium plans but aren’t sure how they work, you’re not alone! We’re here to help break it down and explain how you could save on your health coverage.
Trying to navigate the ins and outs of health insurance can sometimes feel like a whole new language, but understanding a few key terms is the first step toward making the most of your coverage. At Lourie Life & Health, we’re here to help you break it all down, so you can feel confident about your health insurance choices.
Read Article >>Navigating health insurance can be overwhelming, but the Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers important protections and opportunities for many individuals and families. That’s why our team is here to break down how the ACA works and how it can benefit you.
Read Article >>Are you or your spouse planning to continue working past age 65 and will still be covered by an employer health plan? You might be wondering how Medicare fits into the picture, and we’re here to help you understand how to make the right decision for you and your family.
Read Article >>Turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare is an important milestone, but figuring out how and when to enroll can feel overwhelming. At Lourie Life & Health, we’re here to guide you through the process so you can make informed decisions about your health coverage! Let’s talk Medicare enrollment: When you need to and what you’ll need for the process.
Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to knowing when and how to enroll in or change your coverage plan. At Lourie Life & Health, we’re here to help simplify the process for you!
Navegar por el seguro de salud puede ser abrumador, pero la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA) ofrece importantes protecciones y oportunidades para muchas personas y familias. Es por eso que nuestro equipo está aquí para desglosar cómo funciona la ACA y cómo puede beneficiarle.
If you’re navigating Medicare, you might be wondering how to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully cover, like co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. That’s where Medicare Supplement Plans (also known as Medigap) come in. Keep reading to learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan basics, so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you!
The major US health plans have recently announced that they are working on steps to speed up the prior authorization process. Consumers have complained for years that it takes too long to get a procedure or special medication approved. We are excited to see this happen as it will be a major win for our clients. Read this article to learn more.
Read Article >>Imagine getting a call in the middle of the night from someone claiming to be your grandchild, panicked and in trouble. They say they’ve been in an accident or arrested—and they desperately need money. Your heart races. You’d do anything to help. That’s exactly what scammers are counting on. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently issued a warning about a rise in what's known as the “grandparent scam”—a sneaky and heartless scheme targeting older adults with urgent, emotional phone calls meant to trick them into sending money.
Read Article >>If you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ve probably heard of Medicare Advantage (Part C). At Lourie Life & Health, our team is driven to help you understand how it works and whether it’s the right choice for you. Keep reading to learn what Medicare Advantage is, how the benefits work, and why it might be a good option if you’re looking for an all-in-one Medicare plan.
If you're approaching the age of 65 or are newly eligible for Medicare, understanding the basics of the program is essential for making informed decisions about your health care coverage. At Lourie Life & Health, we’re here to simplify Medicare and guide you through the process so you can feel confident about your insurance decision. Here’s a short and sweet breakdown of the four basic parts of Medicare: A, B, C, and D.
When a study published in the National Library of Medicine surveyed 910 people who had undergone bankruptcy, it revealed the true impact of medical expenses and strains on the economic lives of everyday Americans. The majority of respondents, 58.5%, said they “very much or somewhat agree” that medical expenses served as a contributor to their bankruptcy.
Read Article >>Starting January 1, a new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap for prescription drugs is in effect for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, expecting to save millions of seniors an average of $400 per year. The cap applies to all Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage. This change also eliminates the "donut hole" or coverage gap. The cap covers medications within a plan's formulary, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, but does not include drugs outside the formulary, those covered by Medicare Part B, or Part D premiums. Read more here
Read Article >>As the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) approaches, Medicare beneficiaries across South Carolina, and most of the country, will face significant disruptions due to service area reductions (SARs) from major Medicare Advantage insurance companies. In our state, these disruptions affect all 46 counties. Thousands of members will lose access to their current plans.
Read Article >>Medicare Drug Prices: The Biden administration announced today the first Medicare drug price negotiations, resulting in a $6 billion savings across 10 drugs to take effect in 2026. Read more here.
Medicare.gov has a feature that allows you to find and compare Medicare-certified nursing homes based on a location and compare the quality of care they provide and their staffing. This is a great tool that may be useful for your clients. Check it out here.
According to a recent CNBC article by Greg Iacurci, less American households own life insurance than in any period over the last 25 years. There are many reasons to consider life insurance; mortgage protection, final expenses, and debt payoff are just a few. Give us a call to learn more.
Great news! As of June 1, the out-of-pocket cost of some asthma inhalers has been capped at $35 a month. Find out more by clicking here
At no cost to the member, Medicare covers a wide range of preventive screenings. This includes tests for heart disease, colorectal cancer, Hepatitis, lung cancer, HIV, mammograms and more.
Read Article >>According to a report posted by the Association of Health Care Journalists, U.S. consumers are more likely to have worse health status and higher rates of mortality when they have medical debt in collections. Read more here.
CMS has extended the Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families who lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage due to Medicaid unwinding. The new deadline has been extended to November 30, 2024. Please click here for more information.
Ozempic Coverage: Please check out this Forbes article
about Ozempic coverage under Medicare and other payment options available to
older adults interested in trying it.
Check out this great article in Forbes Advisor explaining how the Health Insurance Marketplace works.
Read Article >>Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth: For the first time in Medicare’s history, more than half of all eligible people with Medicare, or 30.8 million people in 2023, are enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans. Check out this article by KFF for more info.
Free Covid Tests: Don’t forget
that you can order four free Covid tests. With the uptick in cases, this would
be a good time to do so. Order here.
You cannot turn on the TV or open your computer without seeing dozens of celebrities or actors talking about some great benefits that you may be missing with your health coverage. You’re then directed to a call center, and that’s where things can go wrong. Read Article >>
There’s still time…
The Medicare Annual Enrollment period runs from October 15 – December 7. This is a very important time of the year when you should review your Medicare plan and make changes where necessary.
Read Article >>
This year’s summer hot spell has hit record numbers. Extreme heat temperatures can be dangerous for everyone, young or old. Do not let the summer heat stop you from enjoying your summer. We are so busy trying to stay cool, that we forget the harshness of heat stress and...
As summer approaches we must remember, that as great as the sun feels on our skin, we need to remember the sun can produce harmful rays that can burn our skin. Although the spots and moles on our skin may be painless and small, they should not be ignored. You should always...
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Change is Constant in Life One thing that is a constant in life is change. Our bodies change, our health changes, our income changes, our family size changes, our friends change, cars, homes and so much more. When it comes to your life insurance, your priorities and...