2025 MEDICARE CHANGES

Great graphic. Saw it in a training. It sums up the good parts of the changes coming to PDP & MAPD plans for 2025. The big news is $2,000 maximum out of pocket for drug costs for all beneficiaries. That will save people money.

 

There are some downsides for sure. Be sure to see me for a review of your case during the upcoming Medicare Annual Election Period. And book your appointment early.

2023 AEP Trip Plans to see YOU…

Well, this enrollment season has been quite a wild ride so far. Between “sold out” kennels to the flu, I have been struggling. Still, I have seen 40-60 clients a week (by phone). Yah, God.

You know me. I do not leave any stones unturned and I never forget the people that need me. I will not forget you.

So, let me explain my plans for the rest of the season. We have 6 weeks and 5 days to go. That is a LONG, LONG time. I am coming to see you. If your case is still pending for next year, then I will fix it like I do every year. Here are my travel plans.

  • Southern KY – Oct 28-29 – Places like Lancaster, Richmond, Berea, Somerset, London, Danville, Crab Orchard and everything in between.
  • Western KY – Nov 4-5 – Louisville, Frankfort, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Murray, Cadiz, Paducah, Mayfield, Princeton, Hodgensville, Eddyville, Scottsville, Edmonton, and everything between.
  • Northern KY – Nov 11 – Cynthiana, Paris, Independence, Sparta, etc.
  • Western KY – Nov 17-19 – Same as above.
  • Eastern KY – Nov 15-16 – West Liberty, Morehead, Salt Lick, Ashland, Inez, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Harlan, Hazard, Whitesburg, Mt. Sterling, Irvine, Beattyville and several others.

I ask only that you are patient. I will not overlook anyone.

Of course, you may not even need to see me. 75% of my clients do not. So far this season I have helped more than 150 of them set up their plans for next year… all by phone and email. That may be the case with you too.

In EVERY CASE, we have to meet by phone first. Have you scheduled your appointment to meet with me? If not, then click >>>https://toddoldfield.com/booktodd/

or call Regina at 859.800.7774 option 1, option 2

We still have about 300 to close out so do not wait. The only way you will not be seen is if you procrastinate on the scheduling of your phone call.

Please do it today.

Happy Halloween!

Your Medicare NINJA!

First Week News

Medicare Annual Enrollment is coming soon. “Pre-Season” begins on Sunday. “Open Enrollment” begins on the 15th of October and ends on December 7th.

Nine Weeks… That’s it. That is all the time I have to not only serve you, but almost five hundred other families (including Kynect members. Their enrollment runs from November 1st through December 15th for a January 1st effective date).

Add that in… and it’s gives me a total total of ten weeks for five hundred people.

Hmmmm…. such easy math that even I can do that. I have to see fifty cases a week. Working seven days a week most weeks… means I have to see more than seven cases a day.

SCHEDULE YOUR REVIEW APPOINTMENT NOW BEFORE SPOTS RUN OUT!

Almost 100 have scheduled their appointment. Have you? Need you to do it today. Very soon I will message the Kynect people and they will schedule their appointments really quickly I think.

PLEASE. DO YOURSELF (AND ME) A FAVOR…. look at the green menu bar above. See the “2 – Schedule Your Annual Review“? Do that. Click it. It’s really easy. Promise it will not hurt. Remember. These appointments are for you; not for me. I want you to have the best plan for your case each year. This is when we choose them.

OR… if you have no email address… call Regina today at 859.800.7774 extension 1000. She will be happy to schedule your appointment.

“SCOPE OF APPOINTMENT (“SOA”)”

Once we have your appointment scheduled, then Regina will send you your SOA which is a Medicare document you sign off on that lists the topics we are going to discuss at our appointment. Just check all the boxes and sign your name or submit it. Very easy. We have to have those complete at least 48 hours prior to our appointment.

Regina will be right there to help you get it done. We can even mail you one if you are a technology wasteland. That’s ok. I am too.

THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT

Regina will call you on the day of the appointment to remind you. Please do not stand me up or be late. We only have 30 minutes together to go over your case. Be sure to know what prescriptions you are taking and which doctors and facilities you wish to use for your healthcare. I want to do a good job for you and check them all.

A couple minutes before our scheduled time, YOU will call ME at;


859.800.7774 

 Then press Option 1
to listen to the Medicare required disclaimer

Then press Option 1
again to be transferred to my recorded line and poof, you get me!


You really should add my number to your phone by going to www.popltodd.com and clicking “Save this contact” and leave me a testimony at www.toddoldfield.com/addmine if you like what I do.

Humana & Baptist = Continuity of Care Form

09/22/2023

 

Concerning Baptist Physicians Group & Humana

Well, I waited until this morning as I was still hoping that cooler heads would prevail.

They did not.

Effective immediately Humana insurance is not longer taken with Baptist Health Medical Group. Baptist Hospitals all over the state will continue to take it but the Baptist Health Medical Group has pulled out of Humana effective 9/22. This means that you will not be able to use your insurance with any Baptist physican’s office that I know of. Call me at 859.800.7774 for questions.

It is not place to editorialize or to point the finger and lay blame so let me just say that this is a problem between two monster egos who want more money. Honestly I am disgusted with everyone involved. I will say that it is a travesty that Baptist Physician’s Group would do this in the middle of a plan year, when beneficiaries have no way to change their plans. Medicare should financially penalize them with a daily fine that exceeds the amount of money they are extorting from Humana for such a stunt. But, that is just my opinion.

Here is the reality.

FOR MOST OF US… WE ARE STUCK. WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR PLANS UNTIL OPEN ENROLLMENT (for an effective date of January 1st). However, if you are on Medicaid, have LIS or a Medicare Savings Plan, we can change you BUT, We have to change you prior to Otober 1st. We have 1 week. For the rest of us though, we cannot change our plans.

For those that are not able to change their plans, I am happy to say there is a another solution.

Continuity of Care FORM

We did however learn today that if you have certain illnesses, you may be able to keep seeing your physicans for another 90 days, or until December 22nd. So, that helps a lot, for most of us. It will take some work.

  1. https://toddoldfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/humana-continuity-care-form.pdf

    You need to print one of the forms above for each Baptist physician you see. Open it. Print it.

  2. Fill it out
  3. Take it to your doctor TODAY.
  4. Have your doctor complete the document. Sign it and fax or email.

This is the only way you will be able to see your doctors between now and the end of the year. Your doctors should fax this in for you.

If you suffer from any of the illnesses below, then you may be able to keep your Baptist physicians despite Baptist falling out of network.

__ Diabetes ___ Lupus ___ Multiple Sclerosis ___ Myasthenia Gravis
___ Cystic Fibrosis ___ Hemophilia ___ Cancer ___ Dermatomyositis
___ Congestive Heart Failure ___Asthma ___ Coronary Artery Disease ___ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ___ Kidney Disease
___ Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneurophathy (CIPD)

humana-continuity-care-form <<<<CLICK HERE

If you have any of these, you may be able to keep your doctors.

Todd

2023 ANNUAL MEDICARE CLIENT LETTER

A SEPARATE LETTER WILL BE OUT FOR KYNECT CLIENTS IN OCTOBER, SINCE THIER OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOT UNTIL NOVEMBER 1ST.


 MICHAEL TODD OLDFIELD
Your Cool Financial NINJA!

859.800.7774, option 1 then option 1

 

September 15, 2023

 

TO ALL MEDICARE CLIENTS
FROM MICHAEL TODD OLDFIELD

I would like to say thank you to each and every one of you for your trust, your business, your friendship, and your REFERRALS! My business has grown nearly 50% since this time last year.

If you are new to this, an annual review of your Medicare or Kynect plan is necessary during your Annual Election Period (“AEP”). Why is the “open enrollment” or AEP season so important?

Well, this is the time of the year that each of you get to see NEXT year’s health insurance plans and make your selection as to which plan you believe will serve you best. In Medicare, the right plan should of course cover which doctors you wish to see, which meds you need to take, and then and only then, what “free stuff” the insurer is offering. Never make a healthcare plan choice based upon the “free stuff”.  The television commercials like to sell the idea that you “should not miss out on everything you are entitled to”. That is horse snot. Good healthcare, your doctors being covered and getting your drugs as cheap as possible; that is what matters. Do not let television commercials confuse you. Their purpose is to scare you into thinking you are missing something.

PRE-ANNUAL ELECTION BEGINS OCTOBER 1st FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES (NOVEMBER 1 FOR KYNECT CLIENTS)

Just about the time you receive this letter, Medicare clients will be receiving a text message with a link to go to, to schedule their appointment to talk to me this year (Kynect clients will be next month). Do not “Dawdle” as I have almost four hundred Medicare clients to see in the month of October. It is much better to be one of the first to schedule than one of the last… It takes less than 2 minutes. This coming text message should happen by this weekend.

Step 1 for Medicare Clients – Immediately Schedule Your Annual Review

To schedule your appointment, you simply click https://toddoldfield.com/booktodd/ pick a day and time to meet that is convenient to you; and answer some questions. That’s it. You are then scheduled.

Kynect/Medicaid clients will schedule next month.

If we cannot reach you by text message, do not worry. Regina will call those that do not get their appointment scheduled this way. She never let’s anyone slip through the crack.

 Step 2 is About Saving My Contact Information in Your Phone

From your phone, please click www.popltodd.com in your browser and visit my digital business card on Popl.co. There you click the green “Save Contact” button. Follow your phone’s instructions, and save my contact information to your phone, along with my picture. Even if you have done this previously, please do it again. Some of my contact information seems to change every year. The benefit to doing this is you will see my picture pop up when Regina or I call you.

Step 3 is Leave Me a Testimonial (if You Like)

You can do this or not. It’s up to you. I would appreciate your feedback on the work I do and on my processes. Simply drop by www.toddoldfield.com/addmine and tell me what I did for you that helped you. I need that feedback. While you are there be sure to read some of more than 100 other testimonials that have been sent in.

IMPORTANT: ANNUAL ENROLLMENT NEWS!!!

I am very happy to report that I have added SEVERAL NEW companies above into various places in my life. These include many long standing relationships as well such as; 

  • Allstate has a really nice Medicare Supplement plan with good rates and offers discounts if you wear a Fitbit or other tracker.
  • Essence Healthcare has been a five-star Medicare Advantage plan. It might be this year. We do not know yet.
  • Ameritas has a nice dental and vision plan.
  • Molina and UnitedHealthOne offer great products for the under-65 Kentucky clients.
  • Cigna is now allowing agents to write their drug plans.
  • UnitedHealthcare has been a national leader for a long time. I am still not very fond of their Medicare Supplement rates, but their Medicare Advantage products have improved every year.

And, of course, Humana, Anthem, Wellcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Mutual of Omaha (and others) will be returning. So, we have to factor all these new companies into our decisions this year. No matter who you chose, I have them covered. We need to look at ALL companies and ALL plans and offerings and compare ALL our choices.

Let’s now talk a bit about the changes in Medicare Marketing Guidelines; the “Disclaimer”, “Scope of Appointment”, and “call recording” requirements.

MEDICARE DISCLAIMER GUIDELINES (KYNECT/Medicaid can ignore)

CMS (CMS is the governing body over Medicare) has changed the marketing rules on us. Now any conversation that discusses Medicare plan choices must begin with…

We do not offer every plan in your area. Any information we provide is limited to the ten insurers we do represent (which includes Aetna, Allstate, Anthem, Cigna, Essence Healthcare, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, CVS/Silverscript, Wellcare, and UnitedHealthcare) and their more than 60 plans they do offer in Kentucky. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance program to get information on ALL your options.

Argh. I literally represent every option there is. I leave no one out. Again, check the list above. The irony is only licensed, honest, hardworking agents follow the rules. We are not allowed to call Medicare beneficiaries that are strangers and ask them to do business with us. It is just simply not done. If someone calls you, hang up the phone. They are not licensed. Trust me or another licensed professional.

So, to be in compliance with Medicare guidelines this year, it means you will have to call me for our appointment. I can no longer call you. You have to call me and listen to the above greeting. Regina will remind you the morning of your appointment. She will tell you how to call in. Please do not be late!!!

MEDICARE SCOPE OF APPOINTMENT (“SOA”) GUIDELINES

CMS is also beefing up their SOA rules. For many years we have had SOA’s to deal with. You have done a SOA with me before.

If you think back when I signed you up for either a Medicare Advantage plan or a PDP, the first document you signed was a “Scope of Appointment”. That was where I said “this outlines what we will be discussing” and then I told you we have to keep these documents for 10 years. Yuck. But, it is true. I have 100’s or 1000’s of them dating back 10 years.

Well, this year CMS is really cracking down on SOAs. In theory, if I cannot produce an SOA on any appointment I had with any Medicare client, that was not completed at least 48 hours prior to our appointment I am dead meat. LOL. Maybe even lose my license. So, for sure Regina will be texting a SOA and following up on them for each Medicare client. If you cannot do the internet, Regina will mail you one. But, we MUST have it back 48 hours before your scheduled appointment or we will have to cancel.

CALL RECORDINGS

LASTLY, MEDICARE REQUIRES ALL CALLS TO BE RECORDED WHEN DISCUSSING MEDICARE PRODUCTS SO YOU MUST CALL ME FOR OUR APPOINTMENT AT
1-859-800-7774, CHOOSE OPTION 1, AND THEN CHOSE OPTION 1
ONE LAST TIME TO REACH ME.

The first Option 1 will take you to the disclaimer mentioned above and then from there, the second option 1 will transfer you to the recorded line and to me. Then we can talk. It’s actually pretty simple.

SUMMARY

That’s all there is to it this year. If you would prefer to call in and schedule your appointment, that is fine. Regina will begin calling everyone September 18th and will keep calling until we get everyone’s appointment scheduled. You may know this already. Honestly, she pesters people to death until they schedule their appointment. LOL. The best thing to do is “head her off at the pass” so do it NOW! TODAY! There really are only a limited number of slots available.

If you do not want to meet this year. That is fine as well. Just tell Regina that you are VERY happy the way everything is set up and we will not meet. These appointments are for you; not for me.

The last topic I wish to address is… I am no longer The Medicare NINJA! I have always loved that nickname, but, it does not really tell the whole story. I am so much more than a Medicare resource or Kynect advisor. Did you know, I am equally skilled at;

  • Getting people out of debt
  • Providing them with a legacy for their families through the right kind of Life Insurance…
  • Helping them save for retirement
  • Assisting them in creating a plan should they need care services
  • Helping them create a guaranteed income stream so they will not run out of money…

My goal is to save you money on your healthcare, and protect your income during retirement, and your family at all times should you not be around as long as they are. Anyways, that is all I have today. So, I proudly announce… I am your Coooooool Financial NINJA!

Todd

Fall 2023 Update on Mom, Me, Skeeter; My Crazy Life

First, let me update you on mom and Skeeter.

Many, many of you know I have kind of a stressed out life involving my mom. I have taken care of her for more than FOURTEEN years and loved nearly every moment of the job. It’s not easy. We have had more than a few big time arguments. In the last eighteen months she has been hospitalized six times I think. Once with Covid, a couple falls, and four or five times with bad infections. It’s been a challenge for sure. I have made 100’s of trips to hospitals to see her there. And, she has spent the last year either there or in facilities. Not been easy for sure. On top of all that, Dementia is clearly trying to take her.

Right now she is doing ok. We spend two or three hours together every day in her facility; drinking coffee, laughing, and enjoying our time together. I want to thank so many of you for asking about her, sending her cards, and the occasional visit. She gives me strength so that I might serve you and others.

Skeeter, my best friend has also had a lot of problems this year. He has had two surgeries and most recently I thought I was going to lose him, but as it turned out he had a simple ear infection. While he is fourteen years old, I am just really not ready to give him up.

My health is good. I am pretty strong and I am very happy. I exercise by walking every day. And, by the time you read this I will have returned from my first vacation in more than ten years, and my first trip out of the country in more than nineteen years. I should have just completed a beautiful trip from Bali, Indonesia where if I had to guess, I met the greatest girl I have ever known (we have been dating for more than two years without having actually met), and I suspect I am probably engaged to be married. That is my intention. I love her and mom adores her. We are a great trio. So, feel free to ask me all the questions you want when we talk this fall.  LOL.

Medicaid / ACA / Kynect Update for 6/14/2023

Dear Friends; 

Hey there. I felt a need to get this out to a few hundred people who I have helped in the past with Medicaid or exchange plans on Kynect.com. It is going out by both email and text message in some cases.

Yes, I am sure some of you probably no longer have plans on the exchange. If that is your case, i apologize and please disregard this intrusion. I am just trying to help of course.

There is so much turmoil in the marketplace right now with the ending of Medicaid expansion. I estimate 10’s of 1,000’s of Medicaid beneficiaries in KENTUCKY are affected. We have to be patient right now.

If you think you are about to lose your Medicaid, please contact me ASAP so we can schedule time to speak (or simply go HERE! to schedule your own appointment)

Below are six items I need EVERYONE to do to keep us all squared up as we move forward.


ITEM 1 – SAVE MY CONTACT INFORMATION in your phone. From your phone simply go to http://www.popltodd.com and click the green “SAVE CONTACT” button. That will save me to your phone and you will know it is me when I call you. Please share your contact information then as well so I can save you back and will know when you call me. This will be crucial during this fall’s annual enrollment.

ITEM 2 – PAY YOUR FIRST MONTH PREMIUM. I am happy to help. If you will call me, we can probably do this over the phone.

ITEM 3 – COMPLETE ANY REQUIRED REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (“RFIs”). In many cases the state requires one of two proofs. A “Proof of Loss of Credible Coverage” or a “Proof of Income”. It is very very important that you get these in immediately if requested. Do no do this the night before the deadline. This will severely impact your case potentially.

ITEM 4 -SET UP YOUR INSURANCE PORTAL LOGIN. Ambetter and Caresource both have account portals for you. You usually can create an account there with just your membership ID number and your contact information. Simply go to;

ITEM 5 – PICK YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. While in your membership portal for sure you are able to “Find a Provider” or “Find a Doctor” and select them as your PCP. Call me if you need help.

ITEM 6 – GYM, DENTAL, VISION BENEFITS. With your membership card, call your insurer to inquire about your fitness benefits. Very cool. Also make sure you do everything in-network. So, see me if you need me to help you find vision or dental providers. I am happy to help.

 

That’s it. Drop by https://toddoldfield.com/testimonials/ (Above) to read the 100+ testimonials about the work I do and if I helped you, please leave me your own testimonial.

Regards.

Todd

Update on Medicaid Expansion Coming to an End!

To ALL Clients (“Medicaid, Kynect Exchange, Medicare”)

 

Sorry, this is going out by text and email. I really need to get the word out.

Click the video below to have a “TOD Talk” on the subject of the end of the Medicaid Expansion.

Yep! The free ride is over. For the past three years anyone could get Medicaid. But that time is coming to an end. Here is what this all means to most of you….

You should take the following steps.

First, if you have never done it, you need to add my contact information in your phone. It’s very easy. From your phone click www.popltodd.com and click “SAVE CONTACT“. This way when I call, you will know it is me for real. You will even see my picture.

Second, schedule your own appointment with me at a time that is convenient for you by going to https://calendly.com/michaeltoddoldfield/kynect and picking a day an time. Currently the state is sending me like 20-30 hours a week of new cases to help, so do this now. My calendar is going to be very clogged up this summer. Some cases are taking a week to clean up. Yuck. You should know me by now. Well enough to know that if there is money to be saved, I will find it for you.

If you currently have Medicaid, inquire (or watch for a notice) about when your next review date is. At that time you will either be able to keep Medicaid or you will not. If you are under 65 and have no Medicare, it may be that you will qualify for an exchange plan with maximum assistance. This is excellent.

If you have Medicare, AND, Medicaid (or a Medicare Savings Plan) you and find that you are about to lose your Medicaid ACT FAST. It’s ok. We do have to make a change in your plan. If not you could end up with no plan whatsoever.

Remember, the last three years have been a gift for some of us (Where Medicaid is concerned. Anyone in Kentucky could get it, due to COVID regardless of their income and assets. That is just coming to an end. If you qualify for it then it is there for you. If you do not, then you have to get your records straight. This is where I come in.

Call me ASAP or schedule some time with me well in advance of your review date.

Regards.

Michael Todd Oldfield

 

PS – be sure to drop me a testimonial at https://toddoldfield.com/addmine/

 

 

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