Lori Swanigan

We're "Asking the Expert" with Lori Swanigan, CEO of The Benefits Solutions Group on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Your voice dot Com Memphis probably presentsThe Beam Johnson Show. Let me say
bad done game. Let me seefeeling she's done m game. No matter

(00:30):
the problem, she can have youshow and showing your mind ship to me
in the head by channing you tojust keep where I go. I'm picking

(00:51):
up. This doesn't shows because thegame here every day. You d I
ain't sup. Well we've got themstopping a good morning, Good morning,

(01:49):
good morning, and welcome in toWU d I A The BEB Johnson Show.
It is in a DTA pleasure tohave you with us once again and
on this Monday, June fifth,twenty twenty three. Enjoy this fabulous day
to day. Well, let's getready. It's I do some chatting this

(02:10):
day, give you some great information. We'll start off the first hour with
miss Laurie Swan again. They'll seeEO of the Benefits Solutions group will be
in to talk with you about yourbenefits. If you're not quite sure about
them, Laurie will be here togive you more information on your benefits.

(02:30):
Yeah, solutions. Yeah. Secondhour we will be talking with the Memphis
Police Department. They meet you.We'll tell you why. Coming up in
our second an hour of this day, When did your turn to talk?
You know you can't, And allyou need to do is dial these numbers
five three five nine three four twofive three five nine to three four two.

(03:00):
If you're listening to us outside theMemphis area, how are y'all this
day? You can call us tollfree one eight hundred five zero three nine
three four two. That's one eighthundred five zero three nine to three four

(03:21):
two. And if this day,this day, Monday, January fifth,
twenty twenty three, is your birthday. Happy birthday to each and every one
of y'all out there who may becelebrating a birthday on this day. You
know what I say? Yeah,go out and celebrate your life. Yeah

(03:46):
better, You're better. When wecome back, we'll talk with the CEO
of the Benefits Solutions Group, Loriswannaguin with me Bed Johnson on the BEV
Johnson Show only on w d I. AM. Oh yeah, we're getting

(04:51):
down on a Monday morning. Welcomein the w d I A The BEV
Johnson Show. It is Monday,June five, twenty twenty three. Enjoy
this fabulous day. Today we willbe getting ready to ask the expert we
will be talking with Miss Laurie Swannagan, the CEO of the Benefits Solutions Group,

(05:14):
to get all your correct information aboutyour benefits. If you have Medicaid
and Medicare you're confused about it,Laurie will be in to help us this
day, second hour, we willtalking with our folks, as Lady d
would always say, Memphis finest.Memphis Police Department will be in. We'll
be talking with them, getting somegreat information as always. And let me

(05:40):
give you those numbers to dial whenit's your turn to talk. Now you
can five three five nine to threefour two five three five nine three four
two or one eight hundred five zerothree nine three four two will get you
in to waiting for Laurie. Well, she'll be here in a few minutes.

(06:02):
And before I do, I havea big, big shout out.
I met someone Saturday, was yeah, Saturday, Saturday, and found out
y'all that we were babies together longtime ago at John Gaston Hospital. That's

(06:27):
where I was born, John GastonHospital, and I met on Saturday.
Helen Bennett Anderson. Y'all know HelenBennett Anderson. She graduated from Mitchell Road
High School. See back in theday. See back in the day they
called it mitch Road. I knowit's just Mistel High School, but see,
you know that's old school, becauseshe said, I graduated from Mitchell

(06:50):
Road High School. But we're birthdaytwins. My birthday is made tenth,
yours is made tenth. She said, where were you born? I just
said John Castle. I said allnight were babies in the Maternity War together.
So it was nice meeting Miss HelenBennett Anderson. That was nice.
Who's a graduate nineteen seventy one graduate? All? She said, tell all

(07:12):
her her classmates. Hey, hey, Mitchell Road classmates of nineteen a seventy
one. And a matter of fact, she said, one of her classmates,
and I know of his family,Howard Ball and his sister and I
was very good friends. And wewere in college together at RUSS. We

(07:32):
were we were classmates in college,and we graduated together. So Helen Bennett
Anderson, and that's something you willmeet somebody that you all were in in
the Maternity War together. And shesaid you were born on Mother's Day.
I said, yep, she's thisold side. So we were in that
some coincidental So Helen Bennett Anderson,all of y'all classmates from Mitchell Road.

(07:58):
That's old school, Mick Road HighSchool, back in the day. Well,
hello to you all. I wantto get it shout out to Helen.
Very nice and hello, I wasnice meeting you May tenth, May
tenth babies, Taurus the bulls.Yeah, we got it like that.
We got it like that. SoI wanted to give her a shout out.
So y'all call hell until I gaveherr shout out. Helen Bennett Anderson,

(08:22):
class of nineteen seventy one from MitchellRoad High School. My my,
my maternity ward mate. We werebabies at John Gaston Hospital and not something.
Wow, that's back in the dayfor you. When we come back,
got my fingers crossed. We willbe talking to Laurie Swannigan, the

(08:46):
CEO of the Benefits Solutions Group,and me Bev Johnson on the BEB Johnson
Show. Only this only happens hereon wi A. You're listening to the

(09:43):
Bev Johnson Show celebrating thirty six yearsof good times and goodwill on w d
i A the heart and soul ofMemphis. You all over the town working

(10:07):
hard to bring you fodays, neverselling for days off the difference Monday.

(10:31):
Good morning and welcome back to wD I A. I'm bed. It
is a beautiful sunny morning. Heatsgetting ready to come on in Monday,
June fifth, twenty twenty three.Enjoy des fabulous day to day. Well,
she is here, Look at her. She's here. Laurie Swanagam,

(10:52):
the CEO of the Benefit Solutions Group, is in the house. Good morning,
Good morning, Laurie. How areyou so glad to be back so
soon? I know, I'm gladto have you back. So I'm glad
to have you back because it isalways important for you to be here,
and especially at this time. Wetalk about benefits and we're gonna talk about

(11:13):
that. And again, just lastweek I had some people call me,
well email me. They wanted yourinformation. They were asking me questions.
I said, look, you needto call Laurie and her and her staff
and the Benefits Solutions Group. Don'tlet me tell you anything wrong. But
before we talk about that good newscoming up this weekend. What's happening.
Yes, so we're gonna be atthe Get your pen and paper. Yeah,

(11:37):
you need to make a note ofthis because we need to see your
face in the place. So,as you know, the fourteen million individuals
have been impacted through this Medicaid recertification. So you're gonna get these packets
in the mail. They've already startedto come to your homes. It actually
started on April the first, Okay, So we're going to be helping you,

(12:01):
especially our seniors. If you're asenior, you got the renewal packet
in the mail, We're gonna beat the ed Rice Community Center this Saturday
from ten am to two pm.From ten am to two pm at the
ad Rice Community Center, We've gotsome We've got a lot of fun for

(12:22):
you. We've got food, wegot games, we have prizes, but
most of all, bring the packetthat you received. It's either coming from
medicarets, either coming from Social Security, but it's absolutely a renewal notice from
the federal government. So everybody hasdifferent colors on their the mail, so

(12:43):
we do. I hope you didnot discard it. But even if you
think you have been impacted, youneed to be out at the d Rice
Community Center this Saturday from ten amto two pm. And we've got some
sponsors, some folks that are reallyconcerned about helping you. We've got care
Max, we've got United Healthcare,We've got a mirror group, We've got

(13:05):
Humana. So we want to seeyou out there. We're gonna have giveaways
from each of those carriers. We'regoing to have information for you. You've
got to meet me at the adRights Community Center this Saturday from ten am
to two pm. And and andso when the seniors come out there,
Laurie I level you say, ifthey don't understand the packets, bring that.

(13:28):
And then even if they don't havethe packets and they don't understand their
benefits, come out because you're gonnahave all those folks there who are going
to help you, who will makesure that yes have everything in order.
Yes, so Bevis's. It's criticallyimportant that we see you. If you
have Medicare the red, white andblue card parts A and B, and

(13:52):
listen, if you are a youngerperson that's taking care of your parents,
you need to get out as wellbecause you need this information. We're gonna
have a room or several rooms specificallyset up to answer questions about Medicare.
So if you've got Medicare parts Aand B with the red, white and
blue card, now specifically with MedicareParts A and B. We need to

(14:16):
see what your benefits are. Ifyou're good where you are, guess what
you're gonna stay there. I'm notgonna have Bab jumping all over me,
so look, no worries, nottrying to sell you a plan. This
is not anything high pressure. Thisis a community event. Like I said,
we're gonna have some carriers. Thereactually a clinic that we work with,

(14:37):
which is Caramax. John Smith andtifty are probably listening. That's pretty
exciting. But listen, I needto be able to look and see what
you have. You all know bynow my passion for our senior community.
Don't take this as if they're tryingto change your plan. I wouldn't do
it. My mom wouldn't like that. So listen. I need to be

(14:58):
able to see what you have,make sure it is exactly what you need,
and if you're okay where you are, you stay. But listen,
I want you to meet me atthe ed Rice Community Center this Saturday.
Tended too, tended too. It'sgonna be great. Yes, it's gonna
be awesome, and I'll be there. Oh listen, my girl, Bab

(15:20):
Johnson is hosting it because guess what, we have a live blues band.
Oh good, that's gonna be there, so listen. So the band is
gonna be there performing. So it'sit's called the Red White and Blues Festival.
I like it. So it's ourfirst annual Red White and Blues Festival.

(15:41):
But the focus of the festival thisyear is those Medicaid redetermination packets.
So I want you to come outand get that help you need, get
the support that you need. Youknow, if it's you know, you
have a plan and you want theutilities and the groceries, you know,
they're all plans that offer that.If you don't want it and you want

(16:02):
to have a cheaper co paid withyour specialist, there are plans that offer
that you need the utility and youneed that, we have it for you
because we write for every carrier,so we're not going to be steering you
toward a carrier. And again,if this is something that you are okay
with, you have all the benefitsthat you need and we just need to

(16:23):
make sure of it, and weneed to make sure that you were not
in that pile of folks because itis fourteen million people now that are actually
going to be terminated for Medicaid,So Medicaid could be you know, if
you are a slimby that's an SLMB, So if you're a slimby status that's
a part of Medicaid. You maybe kicked off if you even if you

(16:47):
have something called low income subsidy,that's that extra help that you get paying
your part by premium. That isthe help that you get with your prescription
drugs, so it goes all theway down to low income subsidy. Those
things require a certain income. Ifyou are one penny over what the threshold

(17:10):
is, you are possibly in loeuof being terminated. So we need to
make sure we can do an appealfor you. There are several things because
we've had clients who have been terminatedjust because they're not responding, they have
not sent their renewal packetsing in.We can do appeals, you know,

(17:33):
we can get on the hotline.They have an assistance line that they can
help you get this packet back in. July thirty first is the absolute deadline.
July thirty first is the absolute deadlineto get these packets back in and
then it would be permanent. Soplease, ma'am and sir, and if
you are a daughter or a sonor a family member of someone that's taking

(17:59):
care of an elderly person, youneed to come to the ed Rights stop
by and see me, ask forLaurie, asks for the Benefits Solutions Group,
and listen call us nine oh onefour or five three six three four
six and bay of I'll even throwmy cell phone number out there this time
again because even if you get lost, call me so that I could help

(18:21):
you get to the place that youneed to be in on this Saturday.
It is nine zero one three zeroone seven four one one nine o one
three zero one seven four one onecall us and Saturday. I'm sure it's
gonna be a good day. ButI like that you can come out to

(18:44):
the ed Rights Community Center Laurie andget all the information. And again you
you will be able to meet Laurieand her staff in person and other people
who will be there to help youwith all your benefits information nation that you
need, which is good. Ilove that you absolutely need it because medicaid
will actually Medicare and insurance is complicatedall within itself, bev. And so

(19:11):
to add something to the fire,if we're adding now Medicaid terminations and redeterminations.
How are they going to determine whetheror not you still qualify to have
your part be premium paid. It'sgoing to be based on your income.
It could be Listen, here's anothermillion dollar nugget for you. If you

(19:33):
are a singer and you have aninsurance policy that is ten thousand dollars or
more, they're going too counted.That's why we need to help you.
You need to come to the adRights Community Center. If you can't come,
you need to call so we cando a review. We can come

(19:53):
to you. You can come downto five twenty five North Main Street can
help you there, or we cansee you this Saturday from ten am to
two pm so that we can getyou all the assistance and the resources that
you need. Again, it's gonnabe food, there's gonna be giveaways,

(20:14):
there's gonna be so much fun.There's going to be a live blues band.
So come and get ready to shakeyour tail feather with us. Come
and shake your tail feather with theBenefits Solutions Group. I'm looking forward to
seeing you. I like that,Laurie. Go back, Laurie, because
you've always you've been talking about andeven you you sent me the information about
so many people being taken off therolls, and I'm wondering, do seniors

(20:38):
and people who are getting these benefitsdo they understand that? Do they know?
Do they really know what's happening withthat? Oh Bell, that's that's
critical because we're at a point ofcritical mass with this thing. When you're
talking about upwards of fourteen million individuals, A lot of people say, it's
not me, it's not me.But what you don't understand is it's just

(21:00):
I Medicaid. It's extra help aswell. So if you're getting the extra
help to pay your part be premium, if you're getting extra help with your
drugs, any assistance in addition tothe A and B that you're receiving from
the federal government, you could bein jeopardy of losing it. And we

(21:21):
don't want that to happen. Sothey're giving you until July the thirty first
to resubmit your renewal notices to updateyour contact information. They may not even
need anything but your contact information.But if you don't get that in and
they've been sending your mail to thewrong address, hey, they're not taking
in a responsibility for this. They'resaying, they're urging people like me to

(21:47):
have events like this so that wecan help you. And so we are
going to launch it all out offare for you. So I've added the
band, I've added the the giveaways, and the carrier support. We are
even going to have carriers on siteto assist you. So if you have
a specific carrier that you want totalk about, hey, they're probably going

(22:11):
to be there this coming Saturday atthe ed Rice Community Center from ten am
to ten pm. And again,if you need to call us if you
get lost, call the office atnine zero one four five three six three
four six, or call my cellphone number down. Don't wear me out.

(22:33):
Yeah, listen, let me saythis before you start calling the cell
phone. No, I do notpay utility bills. I do not get
that because someone asked me week beforethey wanted to know that. Did Lourie
said that they're paying your utility bills. Please explain that, Lourie, what
you mean when you say you mayget your utility bills paid. I'm so

(22:56):
glad, beab we get an opportunityto say this. So the plan ends
that you sign up for so youand by the way, the plans are
at no cost. So most well, let me say this, most plans
are at no cost. When yousign up for a plan, the plan
offers you through Medicare, the planoffers you additional benefits. Some of the

(23:17):
plans are going to offer eyeglasses,dental allowances, utility assistance, groceries,
over the counter products. That's someof the plans. Some of the plans
don't offer as much as the otherplans. So the way that we determine
that is by your providers. Wedon't just go throwing you on a plan
because you need utility assistance. Andbelieve me, I caution people you know

(23:41):
when they when when our clients callus and say, hey, I just
need to get my utility bill paid, that's not it at all. No,
So here's the the hardcore information.So you you sign up for a
plan based on your providers and yourneeds, right, and then that plan,
based on that criteria, can offeryou those additional benefits. But it's

(24:06):
not benefits before provider and it's notLaurie Swannagan offering those benefits at all.
So benefits Alusious Group is not goingto pay your utility bill Laurie Swannagan is
not going to pay your utility bill. I would love to do that,
but you're doing that. I'm notdoing that. I'm offering you a Medicare
advantage plan at no costum potentially thatcan can offer you these additional benefits at

(24:34):
no cost eyeglasses, dental, medicalalert, utility assistance, transportation. But
it's through the federal government. It'sthrough the Medicare Advantage plan. So I
don't want you to get it confused. And if I have confused you,
my apologies. But but bev,this is a great time to, you
know, get some clarity on that. Oh so on Saturday, Memphis Like

(24:56):
Gas and Water will be on thesite. Oh good, So listening,
listen, listen, I need tosee you if that's what you need.
Those people will be represented. Aguess who else is going to be there?
Bill csaka the Community Services Agency GOOD. That is the agency that pays

(25:19):
your utility bill. Yes, itis also the agency that will provide rental
assistance. It is also the agencythat will provide prescription drug assistance. A
lot of people didn't know that MemphisLike Gas and Water is going to be
on the scene, and they actuallyhave a program that you can sign up

(25:41):
for to get utility bill assistance.And so, hey, you're gonna come
out, and I'm telling you you'regonna get the whole kid and kaboodle.
So meet us. In fact,don't meet me there, beat me there.
Let me see your face at thead Rice Community Center from ten am
to two pm. Come and kickit with me and my girl Bell Johnson

(26:04):
and we're talking. This is happeningthis Saturday. Yes, she's gonna be
on the microphone and we're gonna havea blues band in there. So I'm
excited about it, right, andso because you need you need to know
you're benefits in it. And ifyou're confusing, and I like this,
Laury, because this isn't a greatopportunity to people to come out and talk

(26:27):
to folks in person. Yes,yes, my girl Bunny Hampton with United
Healthcare is going to be in thehouse. Okay, we're gonna have John
and Tiffany with CarMax. They're goingto be going to be there. We'll
have a Human of Rep on site. So listen. The carriers themselves are
that concerned about our seniors that they'regoing to be on site to try to

(26:52):
help you get your questions answered.Some people have plans bell and they don't
know what they have. Right,listen, bring your cards, everything that
you show to your doctor when yougo to the doctor's office to get services
render bring those cards. Let ussee it, let us talk to you
about it. There's nothing better inall that getting get an understanding, nothing

(27:18):
better than an understanding, Beth.So we want to help our seniors understand
what they have in their wallets.Okay, five three five nine three four
two is our number? Or oneeight hundred five zero three nine three four
two. If you have a questionfor LORI w D I a good morning
caller. High Hello, miss John, Hey miss Mary. How are you,

(27:44):
Miss Mary? I'm great? Howare you, Miss John? I'm
doing well today? And your giftsof course, Now I want to ask
for everyone. Will you to packagewell no eye, everyone that has some
form of Medicaid, everyone that hassome form of extra health. If you're
getting that LIS you know and yourpart B premium is being paid, yes,

(28:06):
you're gonna receive the notice. Ohokay, no, I have medicure.
I don't have Medicare advantage pump gothrough State of Tennessee. Okay,
okay, well it want to plotto you, yes man, thank you
for college. I wanted to knowfor sure because I paid through State of
Tennessee. Because you don't have atask from there that's medicaid. I don't.
I don't know anything about medicare.I knew it's something count of like
you get some more help or something. Yes man. So that's why I

(28:30):
wanted to ask recording where everyone getit? And then if you get if
you're playing through State of Tennessee forpart of you, or if you don't
have medicure advantage I don't have,then I have State of Tennessee. That's
good. But do me a favor. Please tell your friends because everybody doesn't
have State of Tennessee ure. Donyes man, I'm not sure wheel.
Thank you so much, Thank you, miss Mary. Thank you by bye

(28:52):
bye bye. Five three five ninethree four two one eight hundred and five
zero three nine three four two Hicaller, Hi, hang, you're on
the air. Oh, thank you. My name is Dalary and I have
a question for um um. Yes, yes, okay, what's your question?
That's okay? My question is okay. I was I was forced onto

(29:17):
medicare because I was disabled, soI had to I had to get Medicare
after two years of being disabled.Okay, and I get my Medicare,
so I never I am never ableto get like the plans they would they
would cost me. And then Igot a Part D and that cost me

(29:41):
ninety three dollars a month. MNo, no, man, we have
a plan for you. You needto call call the office. Okay,
get that number office. Because Iwas gonna say, I was gonna say
my my my medicine is no longerall my medicine is no longer paid by

(30:02):
Medicare because I'm a dialysis patient andmost of it's paid by dialysis. Okay,
but the DIA said that I couldn'tchange. I had to pay that
amount until the time changed. No, ma'am, let me give you the
number. It's nine on one fourfive three six three four six. Okay.
You have that number to call.That's the Benefit Solutions Group. And

(30:25):
when you call, tell them thatyou want to get some information. You
talk to Laurie on the air.Okay, you have that number, right,
yes, ma'am, yes, okay, sound thank you so much.
You're welcome, right, because yousay that that didn't didn't need so they
can go into absolute Yeah five threefive nine three four two one eight hundred

(30:45):
and five zero three nine three fourtwo Hi caller, they build joke,
Yes, sir, you hit dannI got of course it will have been
to get that package because I gotI got a uh, I got that.
Uh, but I think it's medicarewhatever I got good in Schooth.

(31:07):
But I'm trying to seek. I'ma Simpsons too, and I'm trying to
get all this stuff I can get. Then then at this and then Bill
j y uh well, y'all gonnabe at this on the other end of
Uh damn Chad on the so whatNo, that's no. Now the ed
Rice is is in the Fraser community, right, yes, yes, oh

(31:30):
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yes, yes, it's in the
phrase. But but you can alwaysa little daddy because you live downtown.
You can go see Laurie at heroffice that is on the other end of
Main Street. Five Is that right? What did you say? She told
me what you I get? Six? Before the call hood this people were,

(31:53):
I say, uh, Bill,ub they get named the two three
people told me they're getting their moneyand sixty two. How can I can't
get my money. You can't getyour money in six lottle daddy, Little
daddy, Little daddy, Little daddy, listen, So you need to call

(32:15):
the Social Security office. You canget it in sixty two, but you
need to you need to go tothe Social Security office. That's right,
Okay, fine, but what aboutthe medical car? I want to get
security? Yeah, well when whenwhen you go through the Social Security,
they will get all that to you. They will explain everything. But first
you need to start with social Security. Okay, okay, we're not trying.

(32:44):
I want my part time. Iwant my money. Well, hold
on, look, daddy, Well, the only way you're gonna get money
if they're gonna see it, howhow long you worked everybody, just just
just because you time? Okay,okay, So so little daddy, start
with social Security. If you're sixtytwo, you can get you can get
half of it now. Okay,well you well you can get half of

(33:07):
it now, okay, cool,cool, But let me get one shout
out, and I want to getit too. I want to get into
a shout out to all about venuesmeans the plans that losing you that I
don't get. Lord, she's gota cool too, because may not put
it about black out of cabin.If I'm gonna take care of the dude,
you have you too, little daddy. That's right, So remind people.

(33:31):
Yeah, if I can throw theaddress out, sure, go right
ahead. Lord. So the thelocation is the ad Rice Community Center.
The address is twenty nine thirty fiveNorth Watkins two nine three five North Watkins.
That's Memphis, Tennessee. Three eightone two seven. Uh, And

(33:52):
I wanted to throw out there.We're featuring Jay Buck and DJ Solo,
so everybody kind of knows about JayBuck. So he's going to be one
of the blues artists that's gonna stopby and sing for you or you know,
do his thing for you. Also, I'm just excited again, do
me a favor. Call your friend, call your neighbor. Maybe you weren't

(34:14):
impacted, but they are. It'sfourteen million people, y'all. This is
a you know, this is acrucial for me, and I've got to
get the word out and it don't. I know that seniors have been impacted.
I know that they've been scammed.I know that people have told you
things and it just didn't work out. Give the Benefits Solutions Group and our

(34:36):
team a chance, give me anopportunity to make it right, because listen,
it is going to harm you.It is going to hurt you if
you lose your benefits. Be here'sthe critical thing. So, if you
have Medicare, you're entitled to aMedicare advantage plan, right. But if

(34:58):
you've got Medicare and Medicaid, you'reentitled to a Medicare advantage plan. But
it's called a dual plan, soit's a dual snip. So it's a
different plan from the regular Medicare plan. So if you've got Medicaid, you've
got the red, white and bluecard, and you've got Medicaid, your

(35:20):
call sharing is zero, meaning whatwe're splitting is zero, okay, Meaning
Medicaid is underwriting this thing for you. Medicare the federally funded program, Medicaid
the state underwritten program. So whatMedicare doesn't pay, Medicaid comes in and
underwrites that. That's a different planfrom just having Medicare. So if you've

(35:45):
got just regular Medicare Parts A andB, you may pay. You have
some call sharing that's that's due,right, So you're not paying a premium
every month, but you are payingWhen you go to see your special you
may pay between fifteen dollars and thirtydollars. When you go and see your

(36:06):
you know, your chiropractor, youmay pay twenty dollars. But when you
go see your PCP on a MedicareVantage plan, you're gonna pay nothing.
You'll pay zero, it'll be atno cost. But when you're on a
Medicare and Medicaid plan, you paynothing at no time. So if you
get kicked off of the dual planfor people who have Medicare and Medicaid,

(36:30):
guess what happens. Oh. Also, if you have Medicare and Medicaid,
you're not paying that part B premiumeither Medicaid is covering that, so you're
you're not going to pay the onesixty four ninety. This is how crucial
this is. So if you getkicked off of your Medicaid, meaning if
you get kicked off of q mbI see some people know the acronyms.

(36:52):
That's a qualified Medicare beneficiary. Ifyou get kicked off of FBDE, that's
in Frank Boyd, David Echo,that's a full benefits dual eligible individual.
Those people are full Medicaid. Thatmeans they're not paying anything. But if
you get kicked off because you didn'tupdate your information, if you get kicked

(37:15):
off because you make one dime overthe threshold and you're not able to appeal
that by July thirty first, nowyou're up against a lot of cost that
you were not up against before.Now for a person that's making six hundred
dollars a month, for that individualthat's making nine hundred dollars a month,

(37:36):
you know to come back now.And because you didn't update your information,
you have to pay the one sixtyfour ninety. It's taking a third of
your check almost. So listen,ma'am and sir, please listen to me.
We got to get to you.We got to talk with you.
Call the office right now. Somebodyis waiting nine oh one four or five

(37:57):
three sixty three four six even.And if you are not able to make
it to the event on Saturday,call us have the conversation again. I'm
gonna put my cell phone number out, but I don't pay utility bills.
It is nine O one three zeroone seventy four eleven, So call us,
all right. Laurie Swanagan is inthe house, CEO of the Benefits

(38:22):
Solutions Group, helping you with yourbenefits, helping you to understand if you
have a question for Laurie five threefive nine three four two five three five
nine three four two one eight hundredfive zero three nine three four two will
get you in to us. You'relistening to w d I A don't go

(38:52):
away. The BEV Johnson Hill returnsafter these messages. Who's been jamming with
w d I A high, ladiesand jam My name is Bobby reversh the

(39:14):
Blue main that is I want tocongratulate w d I. A well,
there's seventy fifth year on our anniversary. I want to thank you. I
don't want to forget that. Who'sbeen my grip at w DIA at late
Bobby o J. I want youto remember that, and I want the
fans to know that we love you. We love you forever, God bless

(39:37):
Keep your fingers tuned right there onthis dial. W DA celebrating seventy five
years of black radio with a heartand soul of mefis ten seventy w d
I by telling you to test keepshow because and we're talking with Laurie's want

(40:20):
to get the CEO the Benefits SolutionsGroup about your benefits and and and Laurie.
As we continue that our listeners whoare listening for the first time,
in hearing you for the first time, that tell them what you they need
to know, especially if you aregetting that red, white and blue card
now. Yes, so we arethanks for that bad We are the Benefit

(40:45):
Solutions Group. We are a localinsurance agency, a local group local agents.
We're experts uh in this thing calledmedicare Um. We are your your
local agents that will come out toyour homes. You are able to come
to the office at five twenty fiveNorth Maine. We also do life insurance,

(41:06):
so we do life insurance, finalexpense, all of that good stuff.
And you know what, I wantto see your face in the place.
Come on down to five twenty fiveNorth Main Street or listen meet us
out at the ed Rice Community Centerand you can meet the Benefits Solutions Group.
We'll all have our shirts on andwe're gonna have some extra gifts from

(41:27):
out of town that's gonna be there, and it's gonna be a big surprise.
So I want you all to comeout and get your face on the
cameras. It's gonna have a network, a main network, major network,
is going to be there this Saturdaywhen my girl bab Johnson and we have
an award show coming up, somegood stuff that's coming up with the Benefits
Solutions Group. So come on outand see us. That's gonna be good

(41:49):
on Saturday. One of the things, Oh, before I got email,
Harry wanted to know Laurie they arehaving no Harry, oh, because we're
gonna be well he in Holly Springs. They're having a thing with veterans,
and he wanted to know, yes, if Laurie could, could Laurie be
there, Uh with bells on.But that's happening Saturday. But we're gonna

(42:14):
be at ed Rice. Oh.You know what, I have an agent
that's going well good, well,craziers already going okay, So Harry Oh,
Laurie says, yes, somebody willbe there at at the veterans event.
It's right across the street from myalma matera RUSS College. Okay,
Holly Springs, So I want tomake sure it's the same ament. I
will give you the information. Butyeah, but uh, that will be

(42:37):
good. So Laurie will Laurie,Harry, Oh, will have somebody there
in Holly Springs. Absolutely, Yeah, that's exciting, that's exciting. Yeah.
But we definitely we will be atthe ed Rice. Yes, yes,
my girl Bell will be on themicrophone. We've got Jay Buck that's
gonna be an artist that's going tobe perform and he's a blues artist.

(42:58):
We're gonna have DJ Solo in theHounds, and we're going to have some
agents specifically there to help you getthrough this time. Listen, this is
a rough time for seniors. Bath, This is rough for seniors. Listen,
because some of you all are gettingextra helping. You don't even know

(43:20):
it. You don't even realize it. Like some seniors will get the party
premium paid and they just go,oh, I just got blessed today,
and they have no idea that theirincome fell under the threshold to receive it.
Okay, So if you don't dothat renewal, notice, some people
don't even know they have a renewal, notice that they have to do something.

(43:44):
So that's important. Lord, talkabout that for a moment. So
are you saying that everybody who getsa red, white and blue card.
I want to be clear, you'regoing to get a renewal notice not every
single person, Okay, not everysingle person. No, it's going that's
good. It's going to only bethe people who have Medicaid, the folks

(44:06):
who are getting this extra help.Any additional I'll say discounts for Layman's you
know, just say it in Layman'sterms. Anything that you know, extra
support and you're getting from the federalgovernment or you know, if you're supposed
to. You know, everybody paysthe Part B premium if they don't get
extra help. So everybody pays theone sixty four ninety. If you don't

(44:30):
have to pay the one sixty fourninety, then you're getting extra help or
you have qualified from medicaid. Sothat's one indicator as two one sixty four
ninety ninety. If you're paying that, if you don't have to pay that,
or if you don't have to paythat, that means that medicaid is.
That means that Medicaid is because everysingle person in America, once you

(44:51):
age into Medicare, is going tobe responsible for the Part BE premium of
one sixty four ninety. And soif you're not paying the one sixty four
ninety, then we need to talkto you because you're the person that has
this extra help, or you're aslim bee, or you're an FBD some

(45:12):
some acronym that we need to beassisting. Listen, if you've got the
renewal packet, you sent the thingback in, you still need to ask
the right questions because maybe you didn'tanswer all the questions correctly and you're still
gonna be in trouble. So everyperson, under the sound of my voice,
if you've got the red, whiteand blue card, say okay,
stop right there, Laurie. Okay, stopping you. That's crucial. If

(45:36):
you're listening, if you've gotten thered, white and blue card, yes,
you need to know what Laurie.You need to be aware that you
may or may not receive a renewalpacket. Now, if you're sure that
you don't get any help from thegovernment, which is kind of hard to
be sure that you don't, Ican say this if you're If you make

(45:59):
two thousand, thousand dollars or more, we can go on and read out
this population of folks. If youmake two thousand dollars or more, don't
you worry about it. You don'thave to worry about it. If you
make two thousand dollars or less,you need to come and see us.
Oh okay, that will help us. So that's easy. I can I
understand that. So when you're saying, if you make two thousand dollars more,

(46:22):
is that person still working or notmore? Not working necessarily? Okay?
Okay, yeah, because even ifyou're working and you have decided to
take parts A and B, youstill and you're you're making under that amount,
you still qualify. Okay. Sohere's the threshold. If you are
two thousand dollars or less. Infact, if you're nineteen hundred dollars or

(46:44):
less, then you need to seeus. If you're more than that,
they don't worry about it. Okay, somebody will say they're listening. Laurian
says, well, why is thisso important? Why? Why is this
so why? Why do I needto be worrying about this? Because if
you get so, for one,if your status changes, your Medicare advantage

(47:06):
plan is going to change, soyou're gonna go to a different plan.
So you're gonna absolutely be kicked offthe plan that you're on. Now.
If your status changes, you're gonnayou're gonna have to move to a new
plan. But if you don't knowthat, you may end up going to
the doctor with no coverage. Yeah, so it is. It is so

(47:28):
crucial because if your status changes,we need to get you to the appropriate
plan. If your meaning, ifyour income is more and Social Security decides
you're you're off. You know you'renot gonna be on Medicaid anymore, We're
not gonna offer you any extra helpanymore. Then we need to get you
to the appropriate plan. How areyou gonna know that, because we've got

(47:51):
to look at it. We gotto put your information in the system,
and we've got to look at it. And listen, I really want you
to hear me on this. Ifyou are okay where you are, see,
I have to sleep on this thing, bail And it's more than just
me being on this bab show.It's called integrity. If you are okay
where you are, you will staythere, ma'am and sir. But if

(48:14):
you are not what you don't knowthat you're not until you come and see
us. Will your son no,no, that you're not, No,
they will not. Will your daughterno, no, they will not.
If you are not an insurance agent, that's going to be really, really
hard to determine whether or not youhave received a renewal notice in the mail.

(48:35):
So just come and see us.And if you can't call the number,
do yourself a favor. Look,this is the first re certification of
medicaid in three years, in threeyears, in three years, so it
called all of us by surprise.So listen, it's gonna be hard for
your friend to tell you whether ornot you need to make the call.

(49:00):
Make the call for yourself. Iheard Little Daddy saying, you know,
my friends, my friends, everybody'ssituation is different. For right, I
have an identical twin sister, andmy situation is totally different than Leslie's.
Yeah, so listen, I've gotto get it for myself. Leslie has
to get it for herself, andall of my friends and our girl group

(49:21):
has to get it for themselves.So make the call. Call us at
nine oh one four or five threesix three four six. I just checked
in with the offense and they saidthe phones are ringing, so keep calling
until you get in and leave messages. We will return your call. And
by all means, meet me andmy girl Beb at the aird Rice Community

(49:44):
Center. It's on Watkins. Let'ssee Beth, I said to them,
let me, let me grab theflyer so I can give you this.
Twenty nine thirty five North Walkins.Yes, Meta said, twenty nine thirty
five North Watkins on Saturday, fromten am to two pm, meet my
carriers. John Smith is gonna bethere. Tifty is gonna be there from

(50:05):
Caramax, Bunny Hampton from United Healthcareis gonna be there. Michael maul from
a Mirror group, it's going tobe there. They're actually gonna be on
site. But here's the big deal, y'all. All those folks that need
those utility bill paid. You needyour utility bills, um called up paid.
Let's listen. CSA is going tobe there, Memphis Light, Gas

(50:30):
and Water is going to be there. Good Walgreens is going to be there.
So I want I want to seeyou there, all right, w
D I a high caller. Hey, how are you o? Fun?
Look two thousand dollars. I assumethat's your monthly into. Yes, yes,

(50:53):
absolutely, that's what I wanted tobe your monthly income. Yes,
so Laura can so she'll say thatagain, your monthly income. Yes,
well that's all I have. Youdoing a great job. You're welcome,
Thank you, and thank you forthat question because people may have because think

(51:14):
of what does Lord say, Ifyou can make two thousand, that's all
you make, So that's you're you'resaying your monthly income, Lord, Yes,
two thousand dollars per month. Andwhen we say income, guess what
that means? Your Social Security that'sit. Yeah, not just income from
a job, because most people thinkI don't work, right, that means
anything incoming to your house income.So if if that's all you're getting from

(51:38):
Social Security, it's two thousand,that's your monthly income. Yeah, and
so that's why you need to understand. And you know what, I'm so
glad that that last caller called inbecause a lot of people that's all they
get is a Social Security check.Yes, right, that's all they get.

(51:58):
That's right, that's that's all youget. And so that is considered
your income because it's incoming to yourbank account every month. Yeah, yeah,
I like it. Good information.Lord. Last words, again,
I'm excited about Saturday, Red Whiteand Blues and tell our listeners what's happening
again on Saturday at the ed RiceCommunity Center. Yes, so we have

(52:21):
a red, White and Blues festival. We're gonna have Jay Bucky's performing and
we've got DJ Solo on the onesand twos. We got my girl bab
on the microphone. And listen.The focus is you, our seniors.
We want to talk to you.If you've got that red, white and
blue card and you think you've beengetting some support from the federal government or

(52:44):
through medicaid, we need to talkto you. We need to make sure
you get that renewal notice back.Then if you don't have the notice on
hand, we can call the accessnumber and still get you the help that
you need the deadline to renew toreturn earned those renewal notices. It's July
the thirty first, and again mycarriers are gonna be on site. Bunny

(53:06):
Hampton from United Healthcare. Wow,Buddy, Buddy's gonna be there, Caramax,
John Smith, Tiffany, They're gonnabe in the house. And listen.
The carriers are going to be thereto touch you, to talk with
you, to give you their littlegoodies. We've got all sorts of goodies,
backscratchers, jar openers, we've gota potato chip clips. Look,

(53:28):
we've got peel cases. We've gotall sorts of giveaways to give it.
The food trucks will be on site. You know it's gonna be a big
deal. Bam. And we wantto see our seniors. I'm looking forward
to it. Laurie, you gotme, got me excited. Hey,
hey, y'all, she got meand I have to give me a backscratcher.

(53:49):
I have to give me a backscratcher. Wait a minute, Lorie,
before you go. I hope this. I see the phone and I hope
this is a question for Laurie.Hi, caller, you have a question
for Laurie. Yes, I do. Well, okay, go right ahead.
I'm the first time caller. Well, welcome, welcome, welcome,
welcome, and uh and I'm calling. I don't make but a thousand dollars.

(54:13):
Oh wow, we need to seeyou. We need to see you.
That's my home, that's my motin car. H and uh,
I'm trying to make sure do whateverI got to renew this or not one
thousand percent? Yes, so youneed to get Let me give you the
number you need to call the offersright now. Okay, it's nine oh

(54:37):
one four or five three four fivethree six three four six four six,
Yeah, that's it. Call callthe beneficial Lucie's group. Yeah, old
on love, miss Lord. Yes, ma'am, Miss Cynthy, your butler,

(54:59):
Hey, miss Symthy, how youdoing, Miss Laurie. I'm getting
the extra hill, yes, ma'am. Oh no, I don't pay anything
for my medication. I need toI need to speak see you, Miss
Cynthia. I need you to callme as soon as I'm off the air.
All right there my husband who justgot out the phone. He he

(55:22):
he had to pay for his medicineand I don't understand. Why give her
a call? Give her a callnow, Miss Cynthia. You get out
the air, yes, ma'am.Give me, give me thirty minutes to
get to my card, get it, get you. Give her a chance
to get her a car and getyour the office and call her. Okay,
all right then, I thank y'all, so give me Cynthia. You

(55:43):
welcome, Miss Cynthia. Thank you. Have a good day. Bla bla
blay. I'm glad I took thatcall, because that's yeah. Give that
numbers out again, Laurie. It'snine oh one four or five three sixty
three four six, or I'll putmy sales number out here again at nine
o one three zero one seven fourone one or come see us at five

(56:05):
twenty five North Main Street bed andif not come see us win oh yeah
at the ed Rice Community Center thisSaturday from ten am to two PIV on
the with my girl Beb Johnson onthe microphone. All right, laws watakon
CEO the Benefit Solution School. Thankyou, sister, Thank you Ben.

(56:27):
See you Saturday, and when wecome back, we'll talk with Memphis Finest
and me dav Johnson on the BevJohnson Show as we go to the other
side right here on w d iA. Whether you're in Arkansas, Tennessee,

(56:49):
or Mississippi on Facebook, Twitter,or Instagram, thank you for listening
to the Bev Johnson Show on wd i A. Memphis so