tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355192622024-02-08T15:04:07.660-05:00Health-related Insurance in Connecticut
Insights and comments on health-related insurance in Conn and the impact on individuals and small employers.
Questions & Comments are requested.John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-59423256140754473502022-01-06T13:57:00.000-05:002022-01-06T13:57:30.822-05:00Beware of “not really legal” Medicare TV ads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In January, February, and March a person enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan can make a change. This time, called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), is only available to an individual who for some reason is dissatisfied with their current MA plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If a person does not like some part of their MA plan they can change to another options with their current company or to a MA plan with another company or return to original Medicare. [Part A & Part B] If elect to go back to original Medicare they can sign up for a Medicare Supplement and a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan. (PDP)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Medicare's marketing rules say a MA company or a Medicare Health plan professional like myself cannot advertise this change period is available. If someone calls and asks what can be done because they do not like such and such. I can then review options and sign them up for a better plan for their situation using the MA OEP.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what about these TV ads saying - call today to see if you can get more benefits with a Medicare Part C plan? <b>Medicare rules say:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">+ Medicare Part C plans are MA and a person who does not have a MA plan cannot sign up in this period.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">+ A person with a PDP and a Medicare Supplement can not make a change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ads are not from a MA company but a marketing organization who is stretching the rules and being deceptive. Medicare is confusing to many people so it is regretful these TV are being run because it just adds to the confusion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Why aren't the rules enforced?</b> Medicare's marketing rules say each MA company is responsible to monitor anyone appointed to market their plans to be sure they are following the rules. Who knows why they don't? Perhaps the MA Company thinks - the ad does not mention our company, so they say nothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Niantic CT</div>Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-14455297050484126292021-11-13T10:20:00.002-05:002021-11-13T10:20:43.010-05:00Medicare’s 2022 Part A & Part B costs<p> The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published Medicare's 2022 costs on November 12, 2021.</p><p>I was not surprised by the increase amounts since there will be a 5.9% increase in Social Security on January 1st. </p><p>Sharing highlights of <b>Medicare's Part B,</b> covers all outpatient treatment and services, increases:</p><p>+ The monthly cost each person who is on Medicare pays will jump up $21.60 on January 1st to $170.10. It is $148.50 this year.</p><p> Note: Over 776,000 people with higher incomes pay more each month. There are five income based levels above $170.10, which is the base. The first step up is for individuals whose AGI on their IRS 1040 from two years ago is $91,000 or higher.</p><p>+ The annual deductible, which a person who is just using Part B would pay, jumps up $30 to $233 from $203 this year.</p><p>Highlights of <b>Medicare's Part A</b>, which covers hospitalization services and treatments, coverage in 2022.</p><p>+ There is no monthly cost for 99% of people on Medicare had at least 40 quarters of Medicare covered employment.</p><p>+ There is a $1556 deductible each time a person is in the hospital if they are just using Part A.</p>Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-60938022446300051732021-10-04T20:38:00.000-04:002021-10-04T20:38:36.147-04:00October brings Medicare’s Annual Election Period for 2022<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Individuals using Medicare can change the plan they have, which works with what Medicare pays, once a year. The time is now and is called Medicare's Annual Election Period (AEP). You can look at options for next year starting October 1st but can not sigh up for a new plan until October 15th. The AEP continues to December 7th.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>What can be done during the AEP?</b> You can sign up for a different plan with your current:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">+ Medicare Advantage Plan company or select a plan with a different company.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">+ Stand-alone Prescription Drug Company or select a plan with a different company.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here in New London County seven companies will offer 30 different Medicare Advantage plans for the 2022 plan year. If you now have original Medicare with a Prescription Drug Plan you can select from 21 different plans from eight companies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes that's a lot of options however there is much more to this than just looking at monthly cost. <b>What to do? </b>- Call John C Parker [Google Voice # (860) 451-9793] to talk about your situation / interest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You gain many advantages working with a professional health insurance advisor who understand and shares insights on how medical treatment works in New London County. Finding the best option in our area for your situation is very important. In addition, being certified with the seven Medicare Advantage Plan companies means we can review the details and consider all seven companies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the other hand calling a company you see or hear in an ad means you are just talking to someone from somewhere and just review plan details.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Niantic CT <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-3041974325177014652020-10-09T16:10:00.000-04:002020-10-09T16:10:13.097-04:00Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP)<p>Each Fall, Medicare
offers Individuals, called beneficiaries, an opportunity to make changes
in their plans which work with Medicare to process all treatment and
services or to pay providers the part of treatment and services expenses
Medicare doesn’t. </p><p> • Medicare calls these times to make a change or
sign up periods, and the one taking place each Fall is the AEP. It
currently is from Oct 15 to Dec 7. </p><div class="text_exposed_show"><p>
• The AEP is for people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and
those with a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan. Individuals in CT with a
Medicare Supplement can make changes at any time.</p><p> My focus is to
eliminate confusion people may have about Medicare and the Medicare
Health Plans. Thus, as we approach this year's AEP, I want to share some
factual information about enrollment periods. <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/apply-for-a-health-plan" target="_blank"><b>This page </b></a>from my Medicare
Health Plans site has factual information.</p><p>
Regretfully TV commercials throughout the year lead people to think
they can change whenever they want, which they cannot. Ads use
misleading statements such as - call to learn about new benefits you can
have. </p><p> Another confusing thing about the time to make changes
each Fall is sometimes incorrectly called an Open Enrollment Period.
(OEP) The OEP however is not in the Fall. It is the first part of the
year. It’s for people who are not happy with their specific Medicare
Advantage plan to make a change. Technically it is the MA OEP and
available Jan 1 through Mar 31.</p><p> You gain a lot more when talking with a health insurance advisor about all your options vs someone from one company!</p><p><br /></p><p>John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</p><p>Niantic CT</p><p><br /></p></div>Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-65019045795418675942020-09-24T20:13:00.000-04:002020-09-24T20:13:27.800-04:00Making the regulation of Medical Insurance better!<p>Political ads and talking heads say - ACA is great - need to make it better! Really! Much of what is reported on the ACA is not correct Working with Individuals and small employers I can list many issues. However, instead, I am sharing some research on what the health reform regulations in the ACA did. </p><p>The research was reported in a Sept 23rd Forbes article. You can find <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2020/09/23/the-disappointing-affordable-care-act/?utm_source=1+Galen+Email+Alerts+%26+AHC&utm_campaign=02a89d0621-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_12_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_93ad194d45-02a89d0621-171581793&mc_cid=02a89d0621&mc_eid=8f4cf3253b#672900254d99" target="_blank"><b>all the details here.</b></a></p><p>The Galan Institute created a summary of the article. I am sharing two parts of it here between [snip]. I added bold to emphasize some of the Galan text.</p><p>[snip]</p><p>Blase notes that despite spending $50 billion in taxpayer money on
premium subsidies, individual market enrollment is up by just 2 million
people from pre-ACA levels—<b>a staggering $25,000 tab per newly insured.</b>
Exchange enrollment is <b>60 percent below </b>expectations given how
unattractive the products are to middle-income families. </p><p>[snip]</p><p>[snip]</p><p>"Calling the law ‘The Medicaid Expansion Act’ seems more appropriate
than ever since <b>100 percent of the net reduction</b> in the uninsured has
occurred <b>because of Medicaid.</b> A massive expansion of Medicaid—a welfare
program that traditionally served low-income children, pregnant women,
seniors, and individuals with disabilities—is not what the ACA’s
proponents talked about when selling the law to the American people."<br />
<br />
Fortunately, the policies of President Trump reversed some of this
damage. Blase discusses actions to shore up the exchanges as well as
expand more affordable options through Association Health Plans (AHPs)
and short-term plans. <br />
<br />
A <b>Council of Economic Advisers</b> report found that these expanded options,
along with eliminating the individual mandate tax penalty, generate <b>$45
billion</b> in net economic benefit each year <b>for Americans. <br />
</b><br />
And the Trump administration’s health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)
rule, which allows employers to offer tax-free payments that workers can
use to purchase individual market coverage, is expected to add 8
million people to the market—<b>four times as many as the ACA with no new
federal spending.</b> <br />
<br />
While the Trump administration made great strides to help Americans harmed by the ACA, Blase argues that “A better <a href="https://galen.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c80eb2149ef4fa70ce2c72ef1&id=414c49885d&e=8f4cf3253b" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank" title="https://americanhealthcarechoices.org/our-plan/">approach</a> would
be freeing people to purchase coverage that best meets their needs and
budgets, <b>allowing states to establish </b>safety net programs to ensure
people with pressing health care needs receive the care they need, and
transitioning as much government assistance as possible directly to
consumers rather than funneled to health insurers.”</p><p>[snip]</p><p><br /></p><p>Want to specifically refer to certain words from the Galan summary - "as well as expand more affordable options through Association Health Plans (AHPs) and short-term plans. "</p><p>This refers to a federal program created to allow states to implement two ways to help individuals. Guess what! - <b>CT decided</b> individuals here in CT <b>can not take advantage </b>of these programs to save - they were not approved.</p><p><br /></p><p>John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</p><p>Niantic CT</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-19988273409225356002020-08-18T19:02:00.001-04:002020-08-18T19:09:17.463-04:00 Two particular words — MediCare uses when signing up!<p><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">People report being confused when online looking for </span><span class="x-el" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">— </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">when can I</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> sign up for MediCare and</span><span class="x-el" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> when does it start! </span></b></span><span class="x-el" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">That’s understandable</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> since online info. is often “not quite accurate”! Thus, my post is to answer the “when can” and “when does” questions and review two special words used in signing up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first </span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">word in </span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">MediCare’s eligibility & signing up regulations </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">to review is </span><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> — “<b>eligible.”</b> Social </span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Security (SS) manages eligibility regulations and CMS manages coverage details. These regulations, </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">which I call “rules”,</span><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> define eligible as a month not a specific date and it’s the month a person becomes 65. If a person does <b>decide to apply</b> at 65 they have what’s called an Initial Eligibility Period (IEP) to complete an application</span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">.</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The IEP is </span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">seven months, with </span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">their </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">eligible</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">in the middle, and they can</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> — complete an application:</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Any </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">month</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> before</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">eligible. If they do,</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <b>both </b>Part A & Part B <b>start</b> the first day of their eligible month.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br clear="all" /><span class="x-el"> Note: Eligible month is moved to the previous one when a birthdate is the 1<sup>st</sup>. </span><br clear="all" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">● During their</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <b>eligible</b> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">or any month after. If they do:</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">+</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Part A </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">continues at</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">the first of their </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">eligible month</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> +</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Part B</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> will be different! Why? “Rules” say it starts</span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">the:</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Next</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month if a person signs up </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">the </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month when 65</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">. </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">S</span></b></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">econd</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">after</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">if sign up the month after 65. </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> - Third</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">month</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">after</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">if sign up either the second or third month after 65. </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Signing up in the IEP’s last month — means Part B is </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">six months after</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A. </span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Having effective dates, other than the first of the next month, is confusing. To further complicate this SS decided<span class="x-el"> — </span>Part A will also be backdated six months from the date of a person’s Part B for <span class="x-el">— </span><strong>everyone</strong><span class="x-el"> who signs up six months or more after eligible! Do not know the logic of why this is done.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Note</span></strong><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">: Going back six months means a person with a HSA has to stop making contributions six months before leaving employment and starting Part B.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The second </span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">word in the eligibility “rules” to review is</span><span style="background: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">— </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">"entitled".</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> MediCare applies this term to everyone</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <span class="x-el">who has completed signing up. Entitled therefore is the date <b>a person’s coverage begins</b> for:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">+</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Part A’s inpatient hospital services and</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">+</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Part B’s medically necessary outpatient services.</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="x-el"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">BTW — we know <b>entitled is important</b> because MediCare puts it on a person’s ID card! It’s printed above Part A and Part B to show when each coverage started.</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h4 style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Bottom line – when talking to individuals I use the </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">official words</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">. MediCare refers to individuals as beneficiaries and I believe it’s important for new and current beneficiaries to hear correct names even though people often read or hear other words, such as:</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></h4><h4 style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span> </span>+ </span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">entitlement date instead of </span>eligible</span></h4><h4 style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span> </span>+ </span><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">enrolled instead of</span> entitled</span></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #263746; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Niantic CT<o:p></o:p></span></p>John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-20924290761491088802020-07-25T19:29:00.000-04:002020-07-25T19:29:34.603-04:00More deceptive ads about MediCare on cable TV!<br />
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">There was one, now two companies, flooding cable TV with MediCare ads here in Southeastern CT. I see them on the Weather Channel,.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The focus of these deceptive ads is to encourage everyone who has Medicare – call right now to get all these better medicare benefits!</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why are the ads deceptive?</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Individuals on Medicare cannot get additional benefits directly from MediCare nor by buying a Medicare Supplement. Additional benefits are only available by signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan, which normally is <b>only done</b> during MediCare’s Annual Election Period each Fall. It runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then too, some of the “you can get” benefits listed in the ad are just available in Special Needs Plans (SNP) and not available to everyone! <b>More deception!</b> Only individuals with certain medical conditions can qualify for a SNP!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> One benefit mentioned in the ad – rides to the MD </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">– </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">is only available in what is called a Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP). Only individuals who </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">qualify to be on Medicaid</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> (welfare) can sign up for a DSNP.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The former sports figures in the ads – saying I called and got these benefits – <b>would never qualify</b> for these special plans!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To make matters worse – another company, whose name is sort of connected to the medical field, has an ad in Southeastern CT for a Medicare Supplement – but it is <b>not approved in CT</b>! More reason to beware!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">MediCare considers a person “eligible” the month when 65. So yes, someone can sign up during the three months before 65, the month eligible, and in either of the three months after. MediCare calls this sign-up time an Individual’s Initial Election Period. However, the ads do not say – call if you will soon be 65.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I help individuals with MediCare’s complex sign up rules as a health insurance professional. I also help simplify and understand what I call Medicare Health Plans and when interested to sign up. MediCare's marketing rules to work with these plans are complex and get into <b>what I</b> <b>can say and when I can talk about benefits.</b> Thus, it’s frustrating when the restrictions I have to follow do not apply to companies creating TV ads!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Interested in learning more about the two types of – Medicare Health Plans? <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/apply-for-a-health-plan">This page has information </a>on the two types and times to sign up. It is from one of my web sites and may be helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Niantic CT</span><o:p></o:p></div>
John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-69280823643401904632020-06-13T11:52:00.000-04:002020-06-13T11:52:00.315-04:00Sharing — facts on signing up — for MediCare!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">People tell me they are confused about what they found on MediCare. This is certainly understandable because when you Google signing up you find:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Explanations using incorrect words for something. For example, Social Security enrollment rules and words from Medicare do not say enroll.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Points on what to do and when are not correct.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Information from a long time ago about – people need to/must sign up when they turn 65. Deciding when to sign up is the responsibility of each person/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of incorrect information like this and others and questions I hear it is important for people to know what to do and when. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thus, I am pleased to share — factual information about the sign-up rules on <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/applying-for-medicare"><b>this link</b> </a> It's from one page on my Medicare Health Plans web site.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">John C Parker, LTCP. RHU</span>John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-18047521709693898092020-05-30T17:08:00.000-04:002020-05-30T17:08:03.235-04:00Signing up for Medicare Part B after working past 65 is somewhat complex but it is now a little easier!<br />
<br />
Individuals signing up for Medicare, whether at 65 or later after working past 65, do this through the Social Security (SS) system. There is an application for Part B (outpatient services) to complete, which also activates Part A (hospitalization situations). When working after 65 Part A is backdated six months from the date assigned to Part B. <br />
<br />
Individuals working past 65 have another form to complete. They take it to their employer, dates covered by the company medical plan are listed, it is signed, and return to the SS office. This form gives them a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B and avoids paying a late enrollment fee. SS offices have been closed so this process has been complex.<br />
<br />
Pleased to report SS announced May 28th a way for a person, leaving an employer plan and wanting to sign up for Medicare, to complete the forms online. Information about this, the steps to be completed, and a link to begin to apply <a href="https://secure.ssa.gov/mpboa/medicare-part-b-online-application/">can be found here.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-49049918222312881392020-05-01T10:38:00.002-04:002020-05-01T10:38:42.002-04:00Beware of deceptive Medicare TV ads!<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">One company has flooded cable TV here in Southeastern CT for some time with – call to get better Medicare coverage – ads!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why are the ads deceptive?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A person on Medicare can only get additional benefits in a Medicare Advantage plan, and some of the “you can get” things mentioned are not available to everyone. Just individuals who qualify for a Special Needs Plan!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Also, eligibility for the Dual Special Needs Plan with additional benefits such as – rides to the MD is connected to income. The sports figure – saying I got these – would never qualify for this coverage!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The ad encourages everyone on Medicare to call today. However, the <b>only time</b> people living in Southeastern CT can change their Medicare health plan is in the fall during the Oct 15 to Dec 7 Annual Enrollment Period.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, someone turning 65 can sign up in any of the three months before, the month when 65, and during the three months after. However, the ad does not say – call if you will soon be 65.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To make matters worse – a second company now has a Medicare ad – thus more reason to beware.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Medicare system has complex rules on <b>what I</b>, as a health insurance professional, helping people with Medicare, <b>can say and when.</b> Thus, this is frustrating to me when the same restrictions do not apply to TV ads!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Niantic CT</span></div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-53128882179537395772020-03-09T21:22:00.003-04:002020-03-09T21:22:56.668-04:00A look at ideas to “fix” the cost of medical insurance!<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What might be a solution – wishful thinking? – work on the problem?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What about – <b>wishful thinking</b> – lots of ideas in this category regularly come from Washington DC. They are along the line of - Oh – the government can do it better. Guess what – they are also coming from Hartford CT. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">My response to these – really! Where has it been effective?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s take a quick look at <b>working on the problem.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">First:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Some things being found in research: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">•</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 48px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A recent article reported on a study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers. Its focus was heart health and found if people followed a proper diet could save about $50 billion a year! A couple interesting points from the article:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That dwarfs the $8 billion we just allocated to battle a new virus, COVID-19,” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “ Not surprisingly, <u><a href="https://www.steponefoods.com/blogs/news/meat-is-back?_pos=1&_sid=f87dc7c9e&_ss=r" style="color: #954f72;">eating too much processed meat</a></u> is super expensive to your health. And <u><a href="https://www.steponefoods.com/blogs/news/why-nuts-are-good-for-you?_pos=1&_sid=6b12f9e0b&_ss=r" style="color: #954f72;">not eating enough nuts</a></u>, seeds, and omega-3 rich seafood also proved to be costly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">•</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 48px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">An article from Harvard’s School of Public Health includes three lists of foods and their impact on blood sugar. Foods with low, medium, or high glycemic load. For good health work to use foods with a low load and stay away from food on the high load list. <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/" target="_blank">You can view the article here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">BTW – Working for good health does not mean just use less sugar. People do not realize flour can be worse than table sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Second:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Some things in the area of “Disruption” Albert Einstein once made a point that really applies to medical treat/insurance today – “Can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created the problem”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">•</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 48px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Steps are being taken by non-health insurance companies/organizations to change things. I have been watching this closely. One example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Walmart is testing out a new health center. - - - may expand its initiative across the United States, potentially upending the way millions of Americans receive medical care. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The articles about “Walmart Health” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">have indicated - Patients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Have a separate entrance next door to a massive Walmart supercenter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Can see doctors for routine checkups and ongoing treatment of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, even if they lack health insurance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Can also get lab work, x-rays, dental care, behavioral health counseling, eye and hearing exams, and access to other services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Will use </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">physicians at its health centers to replace their current primary care providers,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The bill for an annual checkup for an adult is $30 without insurance, an eye exam is $45 and dental exams cost $25. Therapy sessions are $60.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Niantic CT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-42113296541902366312020-01-04T08:36:00.000-05:002020-01-09T18:30:16.416-05:00An effective way to gain insight into your health<span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the things which
happen to many of us as “time goes on” is the potential to develop health
problems increases!</span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">One effective way to gain
quite a bit of insight into your overall health is to get a full eye exam by an
optometrist or ophthalmologist. Insights into overall health are not available
from, a vision check-up, such as reading letters projected on the wall.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A full vision exam is
expensive, e.g., about $175, so the reaction of those who do:</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">• </span></b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Not have insurance – I can
see OK, so I don’t need an exam.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">• </span></b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Have medical insurance but it's a plan which doesn’t cover a full vision exam as a preventive
check-up; so, the cost most likely would be applied to their plan’s deductible.
These people may also say – I can see, OK, so I don’t need an exam.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">• </span></b><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Have MediCare can get a
vision check, but not a full exam, so their reaction is – I can see OK, so I
don’t need an exam.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Bottom line</b> - Many people
today do not have access to Vision benefits like many employers provide.
Luckily these Individuals can now buy an Individual Vision Plan with coverage
similar to employer plans. For example, with a low co-pay for an exam and a
nice allowance toward the cost of frames.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Information about the Individual Vision Plans offered by VSP and details of the coverage is <a href="https://johncparker.com/vision-coverage-1" target="_blank"><b>on this link</b></a> to one of my web site pages. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">John C Parker,
RHU, LTCP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-13946239143202195002019-12-24T07:21:00.000-05:002019-12-24T07:21:04.761-05:00When can I sign up for MediCare? I'll soon be 65<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">I'll soon be
65 – when can I sign up for MediCare?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">This is a common question. When a person looks for information on when it's often confusing or incomplete. </span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">So to </span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">eliminate the confusion I am pleased to share</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"> the <b>rules for those who</b></span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><b> decided to sign up when 65. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">I</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">ndividuals:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> Are</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"> no longer automatically signed up at 65!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Can
apply in the 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, or month before 65. MediCare says when 65 is the eligible month. Part A (Hospital) and Part B
(Outpatient) coverage will be effective the first of the eligible month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Can
apply during the eligible month. Part B is effective the first of the next
month but A stays the first of the eligible month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Can
apply the month after eligible, two months after, and three months after. Part
B will be effective either two or three months after applying. A stays the first of the eligible month and can be as much as six months back from B!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Those are the rules SS follows for when a person can signup at 65. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s now look at how to sign up. An Individual can:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> S</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">ign up through Social Security's online system which is responsible to enroll people in MediCare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> G</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">o to the Local Social Security office. I <b>encourage people
to do this.</b> Why? </span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">A face to face meeting with a retirement person is easy, less
confusing for most, and they will: </span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> <b>+</b> complete the Part A & B application for them, </span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> <b>+</b> review the options to pay the 25% share of Part B's monthly base cost so the one best for their situation can be selected. B’s base cost is $144.60 in
2020.</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> <b>Note:</b> An additional amount is added to B's base cost if the IRS 1040 AGI from <b>two</b> years
ago is above 87 k for Single & 174 k for Joint. The rules for higher-income individuals have five other higher
income levels’ and each adds an additional amount to B's base cost.</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> <b>+</b> review SS's informative charts which are helpful in deciding the best age to start receiving
benefits.</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-outline-level: 4;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">When a person has completed the signup MediCare
considers them <b>"entitled".<i> </i></b><i>[not enrolled]</i><b> </b> They
are then covered by:</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">Part
A</b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> for inpatient care in a hospital.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">●</span></b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> </span><b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">Part
B</b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> for </span><b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;">medically necessary</b><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> outpatient services.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.5pt;"> <b> </b>+ The
MediCare ID card shows entitled above Part A & B.</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-33703929751534100342019-10-14T20:24:00.000-04:002019-10-14T20:24:39.718-04:00October 15th is an important date for Individuals covered by MediCare!<br />
<b>Why? </b>The Annual Election Period (AEP) begins the 15th and continues through December 7th.<br />
<br />
<b>
What does the AEP mean?</b> Everyone covered by MediCare has an annual
opportunity to change their current Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare
Plan C) or Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Plan D). It is a – time to take action only if you want – not a time everyone has to do something.<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
<b> Why would someone want to change?</b> Situations such as a person: <br /> + Had a change in health and now wants a prescription plan to provide better coverage for their new medications.<br />
<br />
+ Who is enrolled in a Medicare Supplement and wants to lower their monthly cost by selecting a Medicare Advantage plan. Some have no monthly cost.<br />
<br />
<b> Can a person buy any Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan?</b> The answer is NO. <br />
+ Medicare Advantage Plan companies submit the proposed plans they
want to offer in the next year to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid
Studies (CMS) each year in early summer. As part of the proposal, the company indicates what states and within the state what Counties they want to offer the plan. Thus, a Medicare Advantage Plan is selected based on what is available in the County they live in.<br />
<br />
+
Medicare Prescription Plan companies also submit their proposed plans to
CMS and just indicate the states where they want to make it available.<br />
<br />
+ Here in New London County we now have more Medicare Advantage plans and quite a few Prescription Plans.<br />
<br />
<b>
Have questions about these plans or the somewhat confusing rules to apply for MediCare</b>? Call or send a text to my cell (860) 662-3000.<br />
<br />
John C Parker, Niantic CT</div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-81660012916596986912019-06-15T17:33:00.000-04:002019-08-31T11:38:28.003-04:00What’s with my Medicare Part A effective date being backdated six months?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Many people now work after age 65 and are surprised when
they decide to sign up for Medicare learn Part A's (hospitalization) effective date was adjusted back six months from the date received for Part B (outpatient treatments0.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first part to answer this is to understand three
things about the MediCare enrollment process. The MediCare system tells us:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">First</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> - When a person turns
65 they are considered – <b>Eligible</b> the month of becoming 65.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Second</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> - When an
application for Part A & Part B is submitted and complete the person is
considered – <b>Entitled.</b> [not enrolled]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Note: Their ID card will show Entitled above the coverage date.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Third</b> - A person who is becoming eligible has a
seven-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). They can apply in any of the three
months before eligible, the month they are eligible, and during any of the
three months after becoming eligible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now <b>why does Part A’s
effective date go back</b> for six months?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.05pt; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The source of the rule stating Part A will be
retroactive is found on Page 9 of a Medicare Enrollment Pub </span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">(1)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">
It’s in a section of the Pub called - <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>When can I sign up?- and reproduced here. I
added bold to keywords</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.05pt; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.05pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">[snip]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">-
- - You can sign up for free Medicare Part A (Hospital
Insurance) (if you’re eligible) <b>any time after</b> your Initial Enrollment
Period starts. Your Part A coverage will <b>start six months back</b> from the <b>date
you apply</b> for Medicare (or Social Security/RRB benefits), but no earlier
then the first month you were eligible for Medicare. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">[snip]</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">(1)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The above information, shown between [snip], is from – Enrolling in Medicare Part A & Part B. This Pub is - CMS Product No. 11036 - Revised January 2018.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now I want to share some points on how Part B’s effective
date is set and how the Part A dated is adjusted: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">First </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">- When a person
submits an application after they are eligible, the system will set their Part <b>B
date connected to when they apply</b> and Part <b>A is connected to their
Eligible month</b>. Let’s say a person is in their IEP and they apply: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+ A month after
Eligible - Part B is <b>delayed two months</b> from the month of application
and Part A will be back to their Eligible month. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+ In the second and third month after being Eligible [last available in IEP] - Part B is <b>delayed
three months </b>and Part A will be back to their Eligible month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Note: Applying in the last available IEP month results in B being six months after A.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Second</b> - The rule which sets Part B’s effective date when a person applies in the last month of their IEP, is thus applied to
anyone who signs ups after being Eligible. Backdating Part A, however, will be no
more than six months.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thus, <b>the
famous – Part A is always back for six months.</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Couple other points:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> + Having
Part A backdated has an impact on a person who has a HSA medical benefit plan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> + More
information about signing up for MediCare can be <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/applying-for-medicare" target="_blank"><b>found on this page</b></a> of my
MediCare site.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John
C Parker, RHU, LTCP</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Niantic
CT</span></div>
<br />Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-7169261559033601762019-05-11T18:30:00.000-04:002019-05-11T18:30:48.662-04:00Phone call says - you can apply for medical plans! Beware! !<br />
<b>Consumers should beware</b> of phone calls and TV ads saying – Medical plan and Medicare Plan choices are now available!<br />
<br />
<b>
Why? </b>Individuals can not enroll at any time because<b> f</b>ederal regulations limit the periods when people can enroll in medical related coverage:<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b> •</b> </span><b>Individual medical plans</b> can normally only be selected each year in the fall. Currently Nov 1st to Dec 15th.</div>
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• </span></b>An exception is made if someone just moved to CT or something changed and they lost the coverage they had. These are considered change of life situations and allow a person to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period.<br />
<br />
At a high level an individual can only apply for a <b>Medicare Advantage plan</b>:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •</span></b> When turning 65</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> •</span></b> If they just moved to CT. In some case's a change can be made when a person moves from one County to another.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> • </span></b>During the Annual Election Period in the fall of each year. Currently if is Oct 15th to Dec 7th.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
More information on the Medicare Health Plan enrollment periods can be found <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/apply-for-a-health-plan" target="_blank">on this pag</a>e of my Medicare web site.<br />
<br />
<br />
Want more information on Medicare Health Plan enrollment?<br />
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> •</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>Call my Google Voice line (860) 451-9793<br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> •</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>Send a note to Learn@JohnCParker.agency<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-72598861509748684702019-04-13T08:21:00.000-04:002019-04-13T08:21:03.069-04:00Whoa – the cost of many medications is very high!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes they are and one big problem this is causing – nearly half of consumers are </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">not taking medications</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> MDs prescribed!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One interesting point about medication costs – what a person pays can vary from one pharmacy to another!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A recent survey found:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">About 1/3 would go to a different pharmacy for a $10 savings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Almost 70% would change if the savings were between $11 and $25!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another survey found 67% of people did not fill their prescription because of the high cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">MDs often do not talk about less expensive alternative medications. One step to help people was recently implemented. A local pharmacy is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now allowed to tell people if the cost of a simple medication is less than the co-pay on their prescription plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then too, I encourage people to ask the pharmacist about less expensive options than the medication on their prescription. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In late February while attending a professional conference in Washington DC Alex Azar the head of CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) highlighted to my association members plans to increase transparency in medication prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will allow individuals to look for alternatives when they receive a prescription.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In following prescription costs through professional sources I see experts are reporting “real change is coming”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps not as fast as many would like. Steps such as: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Working on the total cost of a medical situation by integrating and closely monitoring medical treatment and medications. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b> </b>Changing the way </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">prescription delivery is managed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Want to share another way for people to take advantage of lower costs – the GoodRx discount service:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When using the medication cost can <b>sometimes be lower </b>than through a person’s prescription plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">You can try the service for no cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">·</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">BTW – the cost of a medication purchased using GoodRx does not get applied as an expense toward a person's medical plan deductible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Niantic CT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-28863414747419281262019-03-20T09:01:00.000-04:002019-03-20T09:05:10.057-04:00The 20 most expensive medications<br />
Many people ask - why is my medical insurance plan so expensive?<br />
<br />
My response as a Health Insurance Professional - medical insurance is expensive because of the cost of medical treatments and medications.<br />
<br />
It is not easy for a consumer to find the so-called "retail price" of the treatments they are receiving and their prescriptions - wish it was!<br />
<br />
<b>Note</b> I am, however, glad to see some progress is being made to make this information available.<br />
<br />
In the meantime some cost information periodically becomes available. In the medication area - GoodRx does a great job making the cost of certain medication available.<br />
<br />
I am pleased to share this March 8, 2019 post from GoodRx which<b> <a href="https://www.goodrx.com/blog/20-most-expensive-drugs-in-the-usa/?rs_oid_rd=2201836482347917&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_campaign=em_newsletter&utm_content=20_most_expensive&e=f3246d93b19e06870864d7fca64486fbec08bb709aae2ac81fd7222de65ed511&c=fixed-email-Newsletter_125-20_Most_Expensive" target="_blank">lists the 20 most expensive</a></b> medications. The amount in their chart is the <b>monthly cost</b>. Under the list, they provide some information about each of the 20 medications<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCP<br />
Niantic CT<br />
<br />Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-34915650780218567382018-12-26T12:29:00.000-05:002019-02-16T06:54:47.977-05:00Enrolling in Medicare and/or a Medicare Health Plan<br />
Recently received a two-part question, which I am commenting on today.<br />
<b>First:</b> I will be eligible for Medicare soon and would like to know what the options are for enrolling?<br />
<br />
<b>Second:</b> You have been saying it is important to buy coverage for the part of covered treatment expenses Medicare does not pay. When can this be done and can I change this coverage later?<br />
<br />
Medicare and a Medicare Health Plan are <b>two separate kinds of coverage</b> managed by two federal agencies, There is often confusion on enrollment since there are <b>different enrollment rules for each</b>.<br />
<br />
The first Question is about <b>Medicare</b> the federal level medical insurance program. A person normally becomes eligible when they reach age 65. Individuals under 65 who have qualified for Social Security disability benefits for 24 months also become eligible.<br />
<b> Note:</b> Enrollment during any of the following eligibility periods is processed by Social Security, not by Medicare.<br />
<br />
<b>Initial Eligibility Period (IEP)</b>: A person qualifies for this upon reaching 65 and it lasts for 7 months. They can then sign up during:<br />
● Any of the <b>three months before</b> the month of eligibility (become 65) If they select one of these months their Medicare coverage would be effective the first of the month they are 65.<br />
<br />
● The <b>month they are 65</b> and coverage will be effective on the first day of the next month.<br />
<br />
● Either of the <b>three months after</b> eligibility. Doing this results in different coverage dates:<br />
+ Enroll one month after 65 – first day of second month after the person enrolls.<br />
+ Enroll two or three months after 65 – first day of the third month after they enroll.<br />
<br />
<br />
A <b>Special Enrollment Period (SEP)</b>. In a situation where a person continued to work after age 65 and then decided to enroll, they qualify for an up to 8 month SEP to sign up. They should call their Local Social Security office and make an appointment with a Retirement person to enroll in Medicare. Doing this when still on an employer plan or during the first month after leaving the group plan means:<br />
● Coverage begins the first day of the month they enroll or<br />
<br />
● They can select to enroll the first of any of the following three monthst.<br />
<br />
Couple <b>special things to be aware of</b> when eligible for a SEP:<br />
● The SS system will set up their Part A coverage retroactive six months.<br />
● During the appointment ask for Form CMS-L564. Take it to your employer to fill in the dates you were covered on the company medical benefit plan. When it's signed take it back to the SS office. This form qualifies you for the SEP and means you avoid Part B’s late enrollment penalty which adds 10% to the cost of Part B.<br />
<br />
A <b>General Enrollment Period</b>. If a person did not enroll during the IEP period or the SEP they will have to wait to enroll in Part B. This could and has happened when a person left employment and elected to continue the group plan coverage with COBRA. In this situation when COBRA ends they have to wait to enroll in Medicare Part B between January 1st and March 31st. Coverage, however, would not start until July 1st. A person in this situation can enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan but would not have any coverage for the 20% of outpatient expenses Medicare does not pay.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The second Question is about selecting an <b>insurance plan to pay the part of treatment expenses Medicare does not pay.</b> A person can request enrollment in one of two kinds of what I like to call a Medicare Health Plan. Both types are purchased from a private company:<br />
<br />
A <b>Medicare Supplement:</b> A person who selects this type can receive treatment from any provider in any state who agreed to participate with Medicare and thus accept the reduced level of payment on any approved treatment/service they provide. Medicare normally just pays them 80% of the approved amount.<br />
● Medicare Supplement plans, sometimes call a MediGap plan, are approved for use in CT by the state Insurance Department and a person can (normally) enroll/change their plan any time for coverage the 1st of the next month.<br />
<br />
● These plans have “lettered” names. A has the least coverage, B, C. etc have more. Use of letters can be confusing since the part of Medicare also have letter names.<br />
<br />
● Any Supplement with the same letter from any of the approved companies has identical coverage. However, there can be considerable variation in the monthly cost companies charge for their plan here in CT. CT’s DOI approves plan cost.<br />
<br />
<br />
A <b>Medicare Advantage Plan</b>: A Medicare Advantage Plan (MA) is purchased from a private company and covers, as a minimum, everything MediCare does plus additional benefits. A couple points on MA plans:<br />
● A MA company has a yearly contract with Medicare, is paid a fixed monthly payment for each person who enrolls, and administers all the medical treatment a person receives. Coordinating coverage can result in better outcomes. Plans usually include medications and are then call a MAPD. Individuals usually pay a monthly cost.<br />
<br />
● Plans cover additional benefits such as an annual physical (Medicare does not ) and usually offer discounts on or options to buy benefits, such as fitness, dental, vision, and hearing not in original MediCare.<br />
<br />
● All treatment is received from providers in the companies network.<br />
<br />
● Availability is based on the County you live in. Some MA companies have plans in CT but do not offer all options or any in New London County.<br />
<br />
<br />
If an individual is interested in a <b>Medicare Advantage plan</b> there are <b>different election periods</b>. Medicare has assigned the following priority to these periods:<br />
● The <b>Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)</b>. This occurs when a person is first eligible for Medicare. They can elect a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan or a MA plan with prescription coverage (MAPD).<br />
Note: There is also an enrollment period at the same time called an Initial Enrollment Period for the person who wants to stay on original Medicare and buy a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan<br />
<br />
● The <b>Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period</b> (MA OEP) This option will again be available for 2019. It occurs from January 1st to March 31st and allows a person who was dissatisfied for some reason with their current Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to make a change. They can elect a new MA or return to original Medicare and select a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan.<br />
<br />
● <b>Special Election Periods</b> (<b>SEP)</b> These are for different kinds of situations such as moved to a different state.<br />
<br />
● The <b>Annual Election Period (AEP)</b>. A period each year in the fall to change coverage for January 1st. This is currently October 15th to December 7th.<br />
<br />
● The <b>Open Enrollment Period for Institutionalized Individuals (OEPI)</b> A special period for an individual who is entering or leaving a long-term care facility.<br />
<br />
<b>Call today if any questions </b>on enrolling in MediCare or about the Medicare Health Plans.<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCP<br />
Niantic - cell/text (860) 662-3000John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-64003970161272943762018-11-24T16:11:00.000-05:002018-11-24T16:11:18.409-05:00Have questions about Medicare Health Plans? The Annual Election Period ends Dec 7th! <br />
Many people report they are confused about Medicare Health Plans - so instead of looking at newer more economical options, they tend to continue what they have.<br />
<br />
As a step to help understand the <b>two typse</b> of Medicare Health Plans the first page on this site provides some highlights. <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/"><b>MedicareHealthPlansSoutheasternCT</b></a> site. <br />
<br />
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) to enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage Plans - the first type ends Dec. 7th. This page has some details on how they work: <br />
<br />
<b>•</b> <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/medicare-advantage-plans">Medicare Advantage</a> options available in Southeastern CT? <br />
<br />
The second type is a Medicare Supplement. They are regulated by the state of CT and can generally be changed at any time. This page has some details on how they work:<br />
<br />
<b>•</b> <a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/medicare-supplements">Medicare Supplements</a> approved in CT?<br />
<br />
People who are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement also are enrolled in a Prescription Drug Plan. The are also controlled at the federal level and changes are limited to the AEP<br />
<br />
The pages on Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements do not have specific information on any of the plans so call (<b>860) 739-0005</b> for details!.<br />
<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCPJohn C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-35563667346145319082018-11-23T17:56:00.002-05:002018-11-23T17:56:58.010-05:00Looking for the cost of an upcoming procedure? <br />
The cost of a medical procedure can vary considerably between providers and in different facilities. Even those in the same general area!<br />
<br />
Most medical plan's today have a high deductible followed by cost sharing thus when any non-emergency treatment is suggested <b>it's important to look at the cost</b> so you can understand what your share might be. <br />
<br />
A great place to look for proposed procedure costs is with Fair Health. <a href="https://www.fairhealthconsumer.org/"><b>When on the site</b></a> the first step is to select:<br />
— the green medical cost button<br />
<br />
— then the in-network button (more economical )<br />
<br />
— then your zip code <br />
<br />
— then the blue button to find and select the type of medical situation you are interested in<br />
<br />
You will see a list of in-network and out of network costs.<br />
<br />
Note: When only a few providers are shown select one and tell your MD — I found it would cost $_____ for the ______ and would like to know what your cost will be?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904357488312587033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-47543166497143802182018-11-17T08:17:00.001-05:002018-11-17T08:17:32.117-05:00A look at a Medicare Advantage plan focused on the individual<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
I previously posted about changes taking place with some Medicare Health Plans to coordinate an individual's medical treatment and prescriptions. Today in many situations the treatments & tests from the Primary Care Physician (PCP), Specialists they are seeing, and the health insurance company are not coordinated. This means extra time is required by the person and often confusion about what is going on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Pleased today to share a <a href="https://vimeo.com/301226982/5e5801ce32" target="_blank"><b>quick video from CarePartners of Connecticut.</b></a> The company, created by Tufts Health Plan in the Boston area and Hartford Healthcare, is offering plans for Jan. 1, 2019. The video focuses on the special attention an individual receives and the advantages, such as less stress and better outcomes, they gain from what is called their "Circle of Care".<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-13615173940482850952018-11-01T08:55:00.000-04:002018-11-01T08:55:01.470-04:00Medicare Advantage plans - stepping slowly toward Patient Centered care<br />
The world of going to a Doctor for a check-up or to receive treatment is changing - finally!<br />
<br />
What does that mean? <br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;"><b>●</b> </span>Individuals enrolled in Medicare now have the opportunity to participate in certain Medicare Advantage plans which are changing the focus of the relationship a person has with their Doctor.<br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;"><b>● </b></span>When this happens the person become more involved in their treatment and the outcomes are better.<br />
<br />
This Next Avenue article is not about what is going on with plans here in CT but I want to share it because it does a good job <b><a href="https://www.nextavenue.org/person-centered-care-patients-needs/?hide_newsletter=true&utm_source=Next+Avenue+Email+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a24a156b8c-10.30.2018_Tuesday_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_056a405b5a-a24a156b8c-166310301&mc_cid=a24a156b8c&mc_eid=b79cdb0e07" target="_blank">explaining patient centered care</a>.</b><br />
<br />
One point - of interest to me - the article emphasizes talking to your Doctor about this.<br />
<br />
There is a new Medicare Advantage plan in CT, and available in New London County, which is 100% focused on this approach.<br />
<br />
<br />
John C Parker, RHU, LTCPHealth related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-7335214830576603172018-10-07T20:52:00.000-04:002018-10-07T20:52:11.680-04:00Ideas to lower the cost of medical insurance.<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Interesting ideas from a study by think tanks, policy folks, and others which found:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(60, 60, 60); background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">● </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Monthly cost can be lower.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(60, 60, 60); background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">● </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The number of people with private health insurance could be increased.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(60, 60, 60); background-color: white; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">● </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The federal deficit could be reduced some.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">The study can be<a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/10/03/congress-can-slash-the-cost-of-health-care-premiums-by-as-much-as-a-third-heres-how/" target="_blank"> <b>found here</b></a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Sharing some thoughts:</span></span></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">● These ideas would be much better than the “solutions” we hear from politicians in Wash DC and even some in CT’s General Assembly - “Uncle Sam” can do it better</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">● Another analysis brings out to much “Uncle Sam” has resulted in increased costs for employers and the amount individuals have to pay.</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">● Working to reduce the “controls” and regulation introduced by the Patience Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of a few years ago is important.</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">● Studies also find getting people involved in their medical treatment can lower costs quite a bit. So glad to hear this.</span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">Politicians and the media continue to say any change to PPACA would mean a person’s pre-exciting conditions won’t be covered. Of course, that is not true. There is significant bi-parison support in Washington DC for the important no restrictions on pre-existing conditions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; color: #3c3c3c; -webkit-text-stroke: #3c3c3c; min-height: 22.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #0069d9; -webkit-text-stroke: #0069d9; min-height: 14.0px} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #0069d9; -webkit-text-stroke: #0069d9} p.p6 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #3c3c3c; -webkit-text-stroke: #3c3c3c; background-color: #ffffff; min-height: 14.0px} p.p7 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #3c3c3c; -webkit-text-stroke: #3c3c3c; background-color: #ffffff} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} ul.ul1 {list-style-type: disc} </style>
<br />
<div class="p7">
<span class="s1">John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</span></div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35519262.post-38307448314354686202018-10-01T19:11:00.001-04:002018-10-01T19:11:49.695-04:00October 1st means different things to various people.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Want to share some info on one point about Oct 1<sup>st</sup>. – It has special meaning to those of us 65 or older.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
It’s the beginning of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP is a chance for individuals currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan to change plans with their current company or to enroll in a new plan with a different company.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Information will be available starting today about the plans which go into effect January 1, 2019, but a request for a change can only be submitted from October 15<sup>th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>through December 7th.<sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></sup> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Medicare Advantage plans are growing in popularity and there will be more options in January for individuals living in New London County to select. This <b><a href="https://medicare-health-plans-southeastern-ct.com/medicare-advantage-plans" target="_blank">link has an overview</a>.</b> The information is general and reviews how they work. The page does not have any info on the plans from any company.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Many things are going on today in the way treatment is coordinated to improve quality and treatment outcomes for individuals. Some Medicare Advantage companies are working hard on this which will be useful to many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
John C Parker, RHU, LTCP</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.5467px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Niantic CT</div>
Health related insurancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163923575028611913noreply@blogger.com0