567

567 

According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College:
http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/misconceptions-about-social-security/

There are 567 ways for a married couple to file for Social Security benefits. Social Security is the most important source of retirement income for most workers. Yet too many older Americans lack a basic understanding of certain aspects of Social Security benefits.

The U.S. Social Security Administration calculates pensions using a formula based on the average of a worker’s 35 highest years of earnings. This information is important, because each additional year of work could substitute current earnings for an early year of low earnings – or even zero earnings prior to the worker’s entry into the labor force.

According to www.ssa.gov the average retirement benefit is $1285 per month. Growing at 2% for 20 years, that’s a cumulative benefit of over $493,000.00 or almost $1,000,000.00 for a couple

 Are you treating social security like it’s a million dollar decision? Here is a free tool that you can use to optimize your own benefits: http://www.bedrockcapitol.com/ssanalyze/

Information, education and product knowledge are the cornerstones of great agents and we want to be your health insurance agents! 

Contact Diane Woodhead at Woodhead Insurance Services LLC, “Your Independent Health Insurance Agent” diane@woodheadinsurance.com / www.woodheadinsurance.com 

1585 Allouez Ave Suite 2, Green Bay, WI 5431, 920-544-0058 office

“Everyone deserves a great agent and I want to be yours!”

What is a Drug Formulary and Why Do I Care?

  What is a Drug Formulary and Why Do I Care? 

A drug formulary is a list of prescription drugs, both generic and brand name that are covered by your plan. A committee of physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists maintain the formulary and the medications are chosen for their safety and effectiveness. Clinical expertise and input is also sought from many other local physicians who are not committee members. The formulary, pre-service authorization parameters, and related procedures are updated as needed when new information becomes available.

So now you know what it is …. Why should you care? People in the United States spend almost $1,000 per person per year on pharmaceuticals. When you think about it... that is a staggering number and you do have some control of what your share of that amount is. Here is where you should begin:

• Make sure your current medications are covered by your plan. At your annual review make sure your agent is reviewing your medications with you. We are human and can forget so don’t let us! There are new rules and restrictions all the time as insurance companies are struggling with the cost of these medications. 
• Does the manufacturer offer you discounts? Or if you are on Medicare, are you eligible for Senior Care of Wisconsin or other programs? High cost does not necessary get passed fully to the consumer. There are programs out there that are designed to make medications more affordable. But if you don’t ask, you don’t benefit. Have your agent do some research or ask your pharmacist. They know of programs and discounts and are just waiting for you to ask!
• Be your own best advocate! When you go in for your annual doctor visit don’t be afraid to bring a copy of your formulary. Doctors often do not know the price you pay for your medications but do have a lot of choices in what they prescribe. Look up your current medications before going and speak up! He or she needs to hear what you want and then they can help you to make a decision that is not only the best for your health, but also friendlier on your wallet. 
• New prescriptions Some doctors are quick to write a prescription, but then hesitant to stop a medication. Make sure you do your research and ask lots of questions about long term health goals. If you are asking the questions and the doctor doesn’t give you the answers you deserve, then you may want to look at switching doctors. If you are starting a medication that you will have to take for the rest of your life, you are making a BIG investment. Don’t make it lightly! 

Information, education and product knowledge are the cornerstones of great agents and we want to be your health insurance agents! 

Contact Diane Woodhead at Woodhead Insurance Services LLC, “Your Independent Health Insurance Agent” diane@woodheadinsurance.com / www.woodheadinsurance.com 

1585 Allouez Ave Suite 2, Green Bay, WI 5431, 920-544-0058 office

“Everyone deserves a great agent and I want to be yours!”

Business Showcase-Diane Woodhead of Woodhead Insurance Services LLC, talks about Medicare Changes!

New Rules for Medicare Cards on the Horizon

It is official and about time! Medicare will no longer use your Social Security number on your     Medicare card.  I have been telling people for years not to carry their Medicare card unless necessary as it contains your Social Security number. With feedback from providers and the spike in identity theft, Medicare has decided that it makes sense to change the current practice.

            The change is coming a bit late compared to the rest of the industry. Private insurance companies no longer use Social Security numbers to identify card holders, and the federal government has also forbidden the insurers from using the numbers on insurance cards when medical or drug benefits are provided by Medicare contracts.

            This new change will take time to implement. Medicare has up to four years to start issuing the new cards, and four more years to reissue current cards.

Information, education and product knowledge are the cornerstones of great agents and we want to be your health insurance agents!

Contact Diane Woodhead at Woodhead Insurance Services LLC, “Your Independent Health Insurance Agent” diane@woodheadinsurance.com / www.woodheadinsurance.com

1585 Allouez Ave Suite 2, Green Bay, WI 5431, 920-544-0058 office ​

“Everyone deserves a great agent and I want to be yours!”