Litchfield Insurance Associates
October
2023 Newsletter
Medicare Open Enrollment Has Started!!!
October 15th to December 7th
Let's get to the news!
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What Do I Need to Know About
Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage for the following year.
This includes:
- Switching from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or vice versa.
- Switching from one Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) to another Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
- Switching from one Part D prescription drug plan to another Part D prescription drug plan.
- Adding or dropping Part D coverage.
The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes you make during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1 of the following year.
Why is it important to review your Medicare coverage during Open Enrollment?
- Medicare plans can change their costs, coverage, and networks from year to year. By reviewing your plan, you can make sure that it still meets your needs and budget.
- New Medicare plans may become available in your area. By comparing plans, you may be able to find a plan that offers better coverage or lower costs.
- Your health needs may have changed. If you have new health conditions or are taking new medications, you may need to switch to a plan that offers better coverage for those needs.
What if I don't make any changes during Open Enrollment?
If you don't make any changes during Open Enrollment, your current Medicare coverage will continue for the following year. However, it's important to be aware that your plan's costs, coverage, and networks may change.
Need personalized help? Please contact us!!!
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How much will my Social Security
Increase for 2024?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on October 12th that Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024. This is based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.
The average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age will increase from $1,672 in 2023 to $1,728 in 2024. The average monthly Social Security disability benefit for a disabled worker will increase from $1,366 in 2023 to $1,408 in 2024.
The SSA will begin mailing notices to beneficiaries in December 2023 with information about their individual benefit amounts for 2024. The increased benefits will be reflected in payments starting in January 2024.
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FAQ: What is the Current Inflation Rate in the U.S.?
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What is a Medicare Drug Formulary?
A Medicare drug formulary is a list of prescription drugs that are covered by a particular Medicare Part D plan. Each Medicare Part D plan has its own formulary, and the drugs on each formulary are divided into different tiers, or levels. The tier of a drug determines how much you will pay for it.
Tiers
Formulary Changes
Medicare Part D plans can change their formularies from year to year. This means that a drug that is covered by your plan this year may not be covered next year. If you are taking a drug that is not covered by your plan, you may have to pay for it out of pocket or switch to a different drug.
Formulary Exceptions
If you are taking a drug that is not covered by your plan, you may be able to get a formulary exception. This means that your plan will cover the drug even though it is not on the formulary. To get a formulary exception, you will need to have your doctor submit a request to your plan.
Contact us if you want assistance in pricing your drugs and the correct Part D, Prescription Drug Plan.
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This is why you need an agent you trust!
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Sunset from Litchfield Hills Property
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THE 5 GRANDSONS!!
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YOUNG, WILD AND FREE!!
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Tostadas
A Tostada is a platform with a tortilla base that can crisped in the oven, or in some regions of Mexico, fried until golden brown. Once you have the base, turn it into an open faced salad or whatever your desires create your finished meal. Local stores often have an incredible selection of tortillas of both flour and corn (even whole wheat) to launch your meal.
I like both! I like to crisp up the corn tortillas with a quick fry with a few drops of oil or pop a flour tortilla into a toaster oven to fluff it up.
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Ingredients:
- 3tablespoons vegetable oil
12ounces chorizo (a Mexican sausage). You can also use ground beef, slices of steak or ground turkey.
- 3garlic cloves, finely chopped
½medium white onion, chopped
2(15-ounce) cans black beans, drained, or pinto beans
1cup low-sodium chicken broth
Sea salt
Vegetable oil
8prepared tortillas (corn, flour or wheat) warmed, grilled, or toasted.
Optional topping: Crumbled queso fresco or Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped onion, salsa, crema, shredded lettuce, black olives, sliced avocado, lime wedges
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PREPARATION:
Step 1
Make the chorizo and beans. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high. Cook chorizo (or ground beef or turkey), breaking up the meat in the skillet until browned and cooked through (7-9 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a medium bowl, leaving as much oil in the pan as possible. Cover to keep warm.
Step 2
Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and half the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until tender and begins to brown (4-6 minutes). Add beans and broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pay, until liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt if necessary.
Step 3
Using a potato masher, smash the beans in the skillet until no whole beans remain and the mixture is thick and creamy. Remove from heat, taste and season with salt, if necessary. Let cool slightly, the mixture will thicken a bit more as it sits. Cover to keep warm.
Step 4
Crisp the tortillas. Heat oil in a small skillet over high until it bubbles vigorously when the edge of the tortilla touches its surface. Fry 1 tortilla at a time, turning once using tongs, until it is crispy, puffed in places and deeply golden brown (about 1 minute per side). Transfer the tostada to a sheet pan lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Step 5
Reheat chorizo, if necessary (30-60 seconds in the microwave). Warm beans in the same skillet over medium heat, stirring and adding up to 1/4 cup of water to thin them out, if necessary. Spread about 1/3 cup beans over each tortilla, then evenly distribute the chorizo on the top. Serve as you like with optional toppings. Anything you desire is good for a topping!
Finish with your favorite hot sauce or salsa and Enjoy!
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If you have an update to your address or if you ever change your email, please let us know so we can keep in touch with you.
if there is a specific topic your interested in us including in our monthly Gazette-Lite please let us know.
As always if you have questions or need assistance with your Medicare Plan please reach out to us by emailing or calling:
info@litchfieldins.com
951-769-0005
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WE ARE LICENSED TO PROVIDE MEDICARE
ASSISTANCE IN THESE STATES
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WE CAN ADD STATES AS NEEDED - SO IF YOUR MOVING LET US KNOW
WE WOULD LOVE TO CONTNUE TO SERVE YOU!!
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