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Hilarious Cannabis StoriesHow Seniors Are Using Cannabis to Boost Their Quality of Life https://seniorsavvycannabis.substack.com/p/hilarious-cannabis-stories Have a fabulous weekend, everyone! 

 Hello,  If I keep Plan G Medigap insurance but change companies, would that require underwriting?  Just learned about underwriting and not sure if it applies to Plan letter changes or if it applies to any kind of change such as changing to another company offering Plan G.  I have UHC Plan G and unhappy with their mid-year rate increases for two years now.   Thank you.

Just want to tell everyone who is 60 and up really must come to the nutrition class held every Wednesday starting at noon at the Self-Help Senior Center located in the basement of 6700 192 Street Fresh Meadows NY. I heard about the class and decided to check it out a couple of years ago. However I said to myself what could Anna the nutritionist teach me after all I am in my 60's. Boy was I wrong. Anna taught me and still is teaching me alot. More then anyone can imagine. Come on down and check it out. You will be hooked.

Finding ways to live with grief is a challenging journey, one that can involve anxiety, sleepless nights, and even physical pain. While traditional coping mechanisms like therapy, support groups, and mindfulness can be incredibly helpful, some are turning to a different option for relief: cannabis. https://seniorsavvycannabis.substack.com/p/how-cannabis-can-help-with-grief

Just curious what others pay for Medicare Part D.My wife and I have AARP Medicare RX Preferred from United Health Care.Our policy went from $58/mo in 2023 to $108/mo  this year and now going up to $180 for 2025.Thats more than tripled in 2 yrs 9 2023 to 2025). I hate to change but this is getting out of hand . Any thoughts most appreciated. Tnx

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your brain and body, so try the AARP® Staying Sharp® Weight Loss After 50 challenge based on the latest research. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

  More of us are turning to cannabis and CBD to help with some of the challenges we face as we age, like managing pain, improving sleep, or simply relaxing. Whether it's a CBD cream to soothe sore joints or an oil to help wind down at night, these natural options are becoming part of our wellness routines. Of course, it's always a good idea to check with our doctors first, but many of us are finding real relief. Interested in learning more? [Read our full article here]. It’s never too late for us to explore new ways to feel our best! Have you tried cannabis or CBD for pain relief? How has it worked for you?

We received the letter from UnitedHealthcare. It is announced that the rate for our AARP UHC Supplemental Insurance plan N will increase 12.4% for the year 2024. The inflation rate in June was 3%, in July 2023 3.3%. How can the medical insurance get the rate increase 4 times higher than  the inflation rate?  Who profits from such a business decision?  Who cares about retirees with a fixed income?What does AARP do to protect American retired persons from greedy insurers? Or the AARP activity is advertisement only?   

 A friend of mine said her Plan D with Bakers has not had any mid-year increases since she has had it since 2021 like my UHC Plan G.   Wondering if mid-year is only specific to Plan G UHC?  Anyone have UHC Plan D mid-year increases?   My Plan G with UHC had a mid-year premium increase of 12% and another 4% starting Jan 1, 2025.   I am thinking of changing to a Plan D not necessarily with UHC.  Will I have an issue switching?  I don't understand what underwriting means and if it will affect me. Thank you.

Hi everyone! I’ve noticed more and more people are curious about using CBD or cannabis for wellness, but one big question still comes up—how do you talk to your doctor about it? It can feel a little intimidating, especially if you’re unsure how they’ll respond or don’t know what to ask. I recently did some research and found that starting the conversation with your healthcare provider can make all the difference in feeling confident about your choices. Whether it’s for pain, sleep, or anxiety, your doctor can help guide you to safe and effective options that work with your existing medications or health conditions. I’d love to hear from anyone who has brought this up with their doctor—what did they say? Was it an easy conversation, or did you have to push for more info? If you’re thinking about asking your doctor, here are 10 questions that might help get the conversation started: 10 Essential Cannabis Questions for Seniors to Ask Their Doctor

  FYI   TELOS Actuarial - Medicare Supplement Rate Actions – 2024 Q2 Update These are open booked plans not closed booked. 

So many insurance companies offering Medigap (Medicare Supplement) insurance plans routinely close their plans to new enrollees (known as "closed books" or "closed blocks of business") after about 5 years of business.The reason for this is as claims come in, they have to start raising rates to cover costs; once their rates are no longer competitive, they "close" the plan and open another under a different name under a shell company.  Their initial rates may be really cheap compared to other plans, to sucker newcomers into their plan.  But as they raise rates, and then close the plan to new enrollees, the rates really skyrocket since there are no new healthy people signing up.  Those who cannot pass underwriting are stuck in that plan along with its jaw-dropping rates.So my question is, does AARP's branding agreement with UHC for Medigap plans preclude UHC from closing books and playing the plan shell game?  It seems if AARP is looking out for their members' int

 Hi, Rather new to Medigap and have United HealthCare's Medigap Plan G.  This is the second year I got  the increase letter for mid-year and another increase in Jan 2025..  Do other Medigap insurance companies also do Mid-year increases?  Thank you.

  I'm (69) on premium free medicare  part A (not part B) and my husband's work insurance. My husband was let go and will need to get insurance soon. He is 62. Can we get an ACA plan that covers us both (and not get Part B for me)?.  What happens when he applies for Social security later? I assume we lose the ACA insurance, right? Thanks!Karen

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There are some big changes happening in Medicare in the upcoming year. Changes are being made to make Medicare plans focus more on the policy holder. Read more about these changes on the "Upcoming Changes to Medicare in 2025" Article written by the Medicare agency, Medicare Advocates.

  Want to see how much Medicare Part B premiums have increased in the last (10) years or more - interesting.   FYI - thru 2023    The Balance - Current & Historical Medicare Part B Premiums  Wonder where we will be in the next (10 ) years?  Currently at $ 174.70 as the standard amount in 2024. And this is only for those standard premiums - people with higher incomes pay a higher Part B premium based on their income amount known as the Medicare IRMAA surcharge. (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount) And if a beneficiary is considered low income by a specific limit, their respective state pays the premium for them under some of the various Medicare Savings Programs .So I guess that comes from our state taxes.  

Can you switch from a plan G with Wellness to a plan G without wellness (or vice versa) without triggering underwriting?

I came back to update my previous posts about my efforts to change carriers from my Medigap Plan F from AARP/UHC to another company, but the posts are nowhere to be found. First question is, is AARP too afraid to let criticism appear?   To recap, for those who never saw it, I was replying to other posts (in my case) about using Maryland's new Birthday Rule to change carriers and/or plan levels. My DOB is Aug 10th, and my wife's is Aug 28th, which fell into the 30 period after mine, so we waited until then to attempt the switch.  That turned out to be a mistake. More on that toward the end. I made an appointment to talk to the S.H.I.P. people in my county to discuss the Birthday Rule.  They had never had an issue with anyone using it, even if their AARP/UHC Medigap plan had started before 7/1/2023, which someone at AARP had said made me ineligible.  Eventually I did get a correction and an apology from someone higher up at AARP. After settling on

AARP should be ASHAMED for promoting and participating with this so-called health insurance company! We are currently dealing with medical issues and need assistance with coverage questions. I called the "patient assistance" number on the insurance card and spent 45 minutes discussing the issue. I was given a reference number and was told they would contact the medical facility and get back to me. NEVER HAPPENED! When I called back the next day a new rep told me there was NO RECORD of the call, the issue and the reference number (which I confirmed on that call) did not exist!After another long call, put on hold etc., etc. I was led to believe they had the medical facility on the line and then I was magically disconnected.Even if that was true, which I doubt, they had my phone number and didn't bother trying to call me back. The medical facility had no record of hearing from them. I am sure these "reps" are not even in the US. A scam!SHAME ON AARP for allowing this.I just renewed my AAR

 For your viewing pleasure and mental stimulation here's a 30 minute episode of The Open Mind on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/the-pursuit-of-tranquility-how-many-times-do-you-need-to-blow-up-the-world-rvjpi1/ :  Disclaimer:  While the topic sometimes requires political references, this is not a political statement. It is a socio-cultural evaluation of the futility of embracing WMDs.   There is one (IMHO) flaw.  The moderator and guest make reference to humanity's ability to "destroy the Earth"....Seems arrogant to me.  We may destroy ourselves and wipe out most life on the planet, but we will not destroy the entire planet and it will eventually recover.  Might even come back resembling the planet in the movie After Earth.

AARP / United Healthcare refused to accept and honor a claim I filed after AARP / United Healthcare Advantage recouped a $407.90 charge 16 MONTHS after they paid the claim submitted by my service provider. This happened during the time I was changing coverage from a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan to a United Healthcare Supplemental Plan. I was never informed that my coverage had changed before the service was provided, continuing to believe at the time that I was still covered under my Medicare Advantage plan. United Healthcare steadfastly held that since the refiled claim and appeal was made more than 12 months later, the claim was denied, regardless of responsibility. I do not know whether Medicare Advantage deliberately or unintentionally waited 16 months to recoup the charge so that any subsequent claim would be denied. Either way the results are the same and I was stuck with the consequences of Medicare Advantage's two failures (1) to validate my coverage in the first i

In our screen-dominated world, a night of old-school games — like board games and charades —  is a refreshing change. This retro entertainment is enjoying a revival, and it's great for your brain, combining learning, thinking and social interaction. Host a game night with friends and family for games, laughs and fun. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.

Your brain's health and vitality are crucial for your overall well-being. Discover seven top nutrients for brain health and find out which foods to include in your diet. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information on brain health.