November 25, 2024 • 20 mins
November's Wallet Warning from the Shelb County Trustee's Office is "Medicare Advantage". Trustee Regina Morrison Newman gives us an update on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Be justin show bell chomping times talking and all away, help.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
You go, you go? Son't getting ready in time show.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Let's go Bellin will make Gordy by here wrong you
d day?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Listen to what to say? You know it's time for
the belt just show time of the Mountain.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Show Lucky Let's go.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
We are rocking, yeah and rolling on this Monday, November
twenty fifth, twenty twenty four. Enjoyed this fabulous day to
day as we head into this is our Thanksgiving week,
Thanksgiving weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Folks are traveling.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Be safe out there wherever you're going at Thanksgiving. It
is Thursday and that Black Friday. Y'all already spending money?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
All right? All right?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, as I said earlier back, we need to know about.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
November's wallet warning, and as always, my sister friend, our
Shelby County Trustee Regina Morrison Newman has our November wallet warning.
Good afternoon, Regina.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Good afternoon, beb How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I'm doing well today, Regina?
Speaker 4 (01:29):
How are you? I'm great?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
We did the white Haven Christmas Bread on Sturday. You
know children, you.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Know what Regina? Did you miss me? See?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I missed you in stormy Yeah and uh, Misschief.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
But we were there and uh, it was fun. It's
always this beautiful sunny day. But it was a little
chilly in the morning.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
It was a little chilly for you, Regina.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh yeah, well we got there was thirty Oh my lord.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah, I know. You know what I was thinking. I said, well,
this is time the Christmas Wait, I don't have to
get out.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
In that call. It was a little chillier than u juh.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
I know we've done that that that that parading coats
and T shirts and it just depends on the year.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
But we gave away more candy than usual. Oh wow time.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I'm glad you had a great time, you know, because
I thought about it.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I said, I'm missing all my friends, Regina and all
the folks I usually see in the parade, and uh,
it's been a long time since I missed the parade
because I've been doing it for a long time.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Regina. Mm hmmmm hmm.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I'm glad that everybody had it out. Yeah, you know, Stan,
you know that stand. I know, but I'm glad, I
think because you know in the news reports they said
everybody had a good time and it was a good parade.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Yes, it was. It was beautiful sunny days.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
You know what, Regina, you are right on time.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Cause my last guest we were talking about the annual
enrollment period and he was talking specifically to veterans what
to do. But I love this, so you can tell
us about the November wallet warning you right on time, sister, Yes, it.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Is that time, and we've been talking about it all month.
You know, Medicare sign up open enrollment started on October
fifteenth and it runs till December seventh, So it's important
if you're already on Medicare or if you're due to
sign up, now is the time to check and see
that you have the right program and the right benefits.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
And so we wanted.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
To let everybody know that there are changes this year,
and it's rather important. We've told you before that lots
and lots and lots of senior citizens or Medicare eligible
people are on Medicare advantage plans, and that Medicare advantage
plans quote unquote are not traditional Medicare, Okay, they are private.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And so at this point in time.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
The US has over thirty four million senior citizens enrolled
in Medicare advantage plans, and as opposed to traditional Medicare,
and this is the one time of the year that
you can make changes. So that's why you're getting inundated
by famous people telling you how much better Medicare advantages.
(04:22):
But it's not an advantage for everybody. So let me
run down some things you need to pay attention to
this year because it's more important than ever.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Okay, so.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
There are Medicare advantage plans are plans provided by private
insurance companies and they get reimbursed from your Medicare that
you paid in the whole time you were working. And
the majority of this care requires pre authorizations. Sometimes they
have limited providers in a network. It's not like Medicare
(04:56):
and you go to just about anybody, and the pre
authorizations are getting harder and harder to come by. Last year,
more Medicare advantage plan users than ever used their benefits
to get necessary care. And one might think that companies
would know this. This is what it's for, right to
(05:17):
get necessary medical care. But after years of making profits,
these private companies decided that they would downsized plans this
year to keep their profits. Cut benefits, increase copays, raide
prescription drug deductibles.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
In other words, the Medicare advantage participants.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Those in the Medicare advantage private plans are being penalized
for using healthcare last year. So they had these Medicare
advantage plans provided by the private companies. They're in it
for the profit, no doubt about it, and they've spent
decades AIDS luring you over and collecting premiums.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
And every year you know that all these.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
People are trying to get you to call a number
so they can sell you a plan. You don't have
to be sold a plan. You don't have to go
sort out all this stuff.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
You can go to.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Medicare dot gove, okay okay. Care has its own plans
and they are not Traditional Medicare is not spending money
on advertising, so you're not hearing from them. But traditional
Medicare is still what most people are on. And so
all those celebrities and everybody else out there is trying
(06:37):
to sell you a private company plan, and the private
companies are in it for the profits, so they are
closing this year. Many less profitable health plans across the nation,
and the main ones in the marketplace are Humana and CBS.
So if you have a Medicare advantage plan with Humana ORBS,
(07:00):
you need to check it really carefully because it may
not be the same for twenty twenty five as it
has been in the past. So they are slashing benefits
and canceling plans and especially less profitable plans that are
forcing over half a million seniors to sign up for
(07:22):
something that costs more. So they're also Humana is leaving
thirteen markets around the country and that affects five hundred
and sixty thousand beneficiaries.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
So I don't.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Expect they're leaving Memphis, but some of the rural areas
in other areas.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
If you're listening to this, check your plan carefully.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Every year you get a little booklet from your plan,
including Mandicare, it says what the changes are for the
coming year. Take a really close look at it. This
year your plan may.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Not even be there.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
It may cost you more, There may be bigger deductibles,
there may be bigger co pays. Because Humana at least
is cutting ten percent of the people on its plan
and thee The chief financial officers of both of these plans,
Humana and CBS have stated that these changes are being
made due to the profitability of the plan. The difference
(08:19):
with traditional medicare is they're not in it for the profit.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
That's our government.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
So and they have a really nice website where you
can pick out all kinds of different plans that they
don't have to be private, so you don't. Essentially you
have hundreds of thousands of seniors across the nation scrambling
to find coverage right now before December seventh, So think
(08:47):
about going back to traditional medicare, get yourself a supplement
plan that's an option, or find a better plan under
Medicare advantage if you want to.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Stay with it.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So private insurance company are also dependent on having healthcare
providers like the hospitals and the networks like Baptist and
Methodists accept their plans and Medicare advantage companies are having
a hard time doing that. It's getting harder, and they've
lost contracts across the nation. They've lost twenty seven contracts
(09:21):
because they have excessive pre authorization denials and slow payments,
and those people who are in business to provide Medicaare
can't afford the slow payments. So rural medicare providers are
struggling to stay afloat if they stay with them, and
they've cut some of these Medicare advantage plans off, which
(09:41):
reduces the provider network for people out in the country,
and that's really hard. So during this open enrollment period,
make sure you're making an informed decision about your Medicare
coverage for the coming year, and make sure you remember
that Medicare advantage is price but insurance, not the government's
(10:01):
medical care. Double check what your old Medicare advantage plan
may cover for the coming year, and before making any changes,
make sure your doctors are on their list so that
you don't have to change. So make sure they're in network.
Don't talk to salespeople, speak to the plan provider directly,
(10:24):
or better yet, if you're in Shelby County, the Shelby
County Commission on Aging helps you for free. I'm going
to give you their number. Okay, reach out to the
Aging Commission of the Mid South for Shelby County because
that's what they do. They have a whole bunch of
people who know all about this and they can help
(10:44):
you for free. They can help you sort it out,
choose what you need, get through it.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
You don't have to pay somebody to.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Do this either. This is a government service, so that
number is nine oh one two two two four one
one one, and we already let them know they'll be
getting calls this month.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Okay, you let them know.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Yeah, you put this number out there, and so please
call the Aging Commission and they help Shelby Countians and
ask for Medicare assistance and they will walk you through
all the choices and so that that's a good thing.
They're they are on a grant from the federal government
to help people with that. That's the national thing. And so, uh,
(11:27):
the Aging Commission, the head of the Edding Aging Commission
is that a lady named.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Kim Doherty, and you know, we cooperate with.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Her all the time on helping our seniors. And so
they provide free and unbiased assistance regarding Medicare and they
don't try to sell you things. So it's all good there.
So we encourage you to just pay attention this year
because a lot of these plans are changing a lot.
Regular Medicare is still regular Medicare. You get a new
(11:55):
benefit under that this year, which is you're out of
pocket costs for drugs next year for certain drugs, it's
not going to be more than two thousand dollars and
for people who have really expensive ones, that is a
heck of a break. So that's a new law, but
and we hope it stays in effect. So that's your
update on medicare as. Always, if you need help with
(12:19):
your taxes, your property taxes, call Trustees Office nine oh
one two to two oh two hundred and we will
be there till four thirty on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Wednesday, Hierarchy, Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
It's the last business day of the month, so people
come in. But uh, but we'll be out eating.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Turkey on on Thursday.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Yes, will you be there Friday? Will you be out
Friday to REGI.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yes, Hi, Friday is a holiday too, and we'll put
it on all our social media. Okay that in just
a minute, that that the county is closed on Thursday
and Friday, the business offices.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
So we're one of them and we will be but
we'll be.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Back eight am Monday morning if you need anything from us.
And so you know, we are in the middle property
tax season for the county, so make sure you know
about that and pay attention to those little tax brochures
and your property tax bill tells you all about benefit
programs like tax freeze and tax relief, and the income
limits have gone up and the county still matches that money.
(13:23):
So it's real benefit for seniors, disabled and for disabled veterans.
So please take advantage of the benefits you can on
reducing your property tax bill and call us and your
taxes are due by the end of February, but we
can keep talking to you for another month or so
(13:44):
about those applications for tax freeze and tax relief till
April fifth.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Sounds good, now, Regina. You always have some good news,
you have any good news?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
This time I have some good news.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Good easy.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
What it is?
Speaker 1 (14:00):
So this is on October sixteenth of this year, the
Federal Trade Commission. Now we've been we've been hearing good
news from the Consumer Financial.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Protection Bureau for a while.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
So this is the Federal Trade Commission announce the final
click to Cancel rule for consumers.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
They put it out for.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Coming in sixteen thousand consumers coming and so now it's final.
And the rule requires sellers to make it as easy
for consumers to cancel enrollments and subscriptions as it was
to sign up. You know, when you go to websites
or other things and then sign you up for a
subscription and then you start getting stuff every month and
(14:41):
then you go to cancel, whether it's magazines or.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You know, make up whatever, vitamins.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
And when you go to canceling, you can't figure out
how and they make they make you call them. Yeah,
they'll they'll sign you up on the website, but there's
no cancel on the website.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
You got to call them right.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Well, new rule, new rule from the Trade Commission, and
that is that they had to make it as easy
to cancel as it was to sign up.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
So that's going to be on their website.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
If you signed up on their website, you can cancel
and click a box on their website. You don't have
to spend hours on the phone. So one of the
final new rules will go into effect one hundred and
eighty days after published in the Federal Register, So we
don't know exactly when that is yet, but businesses are
starting to do it already. So what the Commission chairman
(15:30):
said was too often businesses make people jump through endless
hoops just to cancel a subscription in the truth Wow,
So especially for a magazine, it's terrible. So this new
rule will end these tricks and save Americans time and money.
Nobody should be stuck paying for service they no longer want.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
So it's plain words.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
And we're very happy for the click to cancel rule.
But they've been talking about it for about a year.
So now if you click to subscribe.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
You can click the cancel.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
I like that.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
That's some good news. Yeah, I like that, click the cancel.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Click the cancel.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
So we're we're all excited and hopefully well, we'll keep
hearing good news a little bit of the time, so
I'm looking for more in December.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Sounds good. I love the good news absolutely. I love
the good news system.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Now I hope everybody's out there got all their groceries
because the grocery store is messed.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
I can tell you.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yeah, it's a mess.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh no, ready to cook on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
That's right, ready to cook because I'm sure those folks
are in the grocery store today and tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yesterday and tomorrow and Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
You can imagine, Yeah, yeah, I can't. It's all good.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So we are looking forward to a long things giving weekend.
I hope everybody has a great time with family and
friends and very safe.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
And it's gonna get cold in Memphis.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Hey, Hey, Regina, this is my kind of weather.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
I know we're gonna have a winter. It's gonna be
below freezing in a few days.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Good, good, good.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You hear it?
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Well, as always, Regina, I love this.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
This month's wallet Warning Medicare advantage updating. You gave us
an update. Thank you, thank you, Thank you so much
for doing that.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Sure, and we will be back next month with whatever
we decide.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Okay, all right, it sounds good, sounds good. Well, Regina.
I want to wish you and your family.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And your staff are happy Thanksgiving and you all be
safe out there.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Thank you. We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Our folks work really hard, and so it's nice for
them to have a four day break.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Yes some of them. Anyway, some of them have to
work Friday.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
But I hear I hear you, I hear it.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
I know, but it is. It is gonna be hopefully
a nice, long, relaxing weekend for everybody, and just enjoy yourself.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Yeah you to Regina. That's right.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Give thanks, that's the main thing. Thank you, Regina. Maris Newman, R.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Shelby County Trustee. As always, I do appreciate you.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Ben. Okay, talk to you next month. All right, bye
bye bye bye.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Our Shelby County Trustee Regina Marson Newman. And that Medicare
advantage update.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
And also if you need numbers always you can email me.
I'll give you those numbers and that number two the
are partners at the Aging Commission.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Of the Mid South. It's nine zero one two two
two for one.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
One one and request y'all Medicare assistance. That's the Aging
Commission of the Mid South. Nine zero one two to
two for one one one.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That number will get you.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Yeah, all right, okay, yeah, I want to thank you
callers and listeners as always.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Yeah, you know I do. I want to thank you today.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
For joining us here on the Bay of Johnson Show.
You know I do. I really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow. I'll be here tomorrow. So till until tomorrow,
please be saved. Hey for cool head, y'all, don't let
(19:38):
anyone steal your joy. Until tomorrow. I'm Bev Johnson, and
y'all keep the faith. The views and opinions discussed on
The Bev Johnson Show are that of the hosts and
callers and not those of the staff and sponsors.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Up w D i a
Be justin show bell chomping times talking and all away, help.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
You go, you go? Son't getting ready in time show.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Let's go Bellin will make Gordy by here wrong you
d day?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Listen to what to say? You know it's time for
the belt just show time of the Mountain.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Show Lucky Let's go.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
We are rocking, yeah and rolling on this Monday, November
twenty fifth, twenty twenty four. Enjoyed this fabulous day to
day as we head into this is our Thanksgiving week,
Thanksgiving weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Folks are traveling.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Be safe out there wherever you're going at Thanksgiving. It
is Thursday and that Black Friday. Y'all already spending money?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
All right? All right?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, as I said earlier back, we need to know about.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
November's wallet warning, and as always, my sister friend, our
Shelby County Trustee Regina Morrison Newman has our November wallet warning.
Good afternoon, Regina.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Good afternoon, beb How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I'm doing well today, Regina?
Speaker 4 (01:29):
How are you? I'm great?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
We did the white Haven Christmas Bread on Sturday. You
know children, you.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Know what Regina? Did you miss me? See?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I missed you in stormy Yeah and uh, Misschief.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
But we were there and uh, it was fun. It's
always this beautiful sunny day. But it was a little
chilly in the morning.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
It was a little chilly for you, Regina.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh yeah, well we got there was thirty Oh my lord.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah, I know. You know what I was thinking. I said, well,
this is time the Christmas Wait, I don't have to
get out.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
In that call. It was a little chillier than u juh.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
I know we've done that that that that parading coats
and T shirts and it just depends on the year.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
But we gave away more candy than usual. Oh wow time.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I'm glad you had a great time, you know, because
I thought about it.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I said, I'm missing all my friends, Regina and all
the folks I usually see in the parade, and uh,
it's been a long time since I missed the parade
because I've been doing it for a long time.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Regina. Mm hmmmm hmm.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I'm glad that everybody had it out. Yeah, you know, Stan,
you know that stand. I know, but I'm glad, I
think because you know in the news reports they said
everybody had a good time and it was a good parade.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Yes, it was. It was beautiful sunny days.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
You know what, Regina, you are right on time.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Cause my last guest we were talking about the annual
enrollment period and he was talking specifically to veterans what
to do. But I love this, so you can tell
us about the November wallet warning you right on time, sister, Yes, it.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Is that time, and we've been talking about it all month.
You know, Medicare sign up open enrollment started on October
fifteenth and it runs till December seventh, So it's important
if you're already on Medicare or if you're due to
sign up, now is the time to check and see
that you have the right program and the right benefits.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
And so we wanted.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
To let everybody know that there are changes this year,
and it's rather important. We've told you before that lots
and lots and lots of senior citizens or Medicare eligible
people are on Medicare advantage plans, and that Medicare advantage
plans quote unquote are not traditional Medicare, Okay, they are private.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And so at this point in time.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
The US has over thirty four million senior citizens enrolled
in Medicare advantage plans, and as opposed to traditional Medicare,
and this is the one time of the year that
you can make changes. So that's why you're getting inundated
by famous people telling you how much better Medicare advantages.
(04:22):
But it's not an advantage for everybody. So let me
run down some things you need to pay attention to
this year because it's more important than ever.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Okay, so.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
There are Medicare advantage plans are plans provided by private
insurance companies and they get reimbursed from your Medicare that
you paid in the whole time you were working. And
the majority of this care requires pre authorizations. Sometimes they
have limited providers in a network. It's not like Medicare
(04:56):
and you go to just about anybody, and the pre
authorizations are getting harder and harder to come by. Last year,
more Medicare advantage plan users than ever used their benefits
to get necessary care. And one might think that companies
would know this. This is what it's for, right to
(05:17):
get necessary medical care. But after years of making profits,
these private companies decided that they would downsized plans this
year to keep their profits. Cut benefits, increase copays, raide
prescription drug deductibles.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
In other words, the Medicare advantage participants.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Those in the Medicare advantage private plans are being penalized
for using healthcare last year. So they had these Medicare
advantage plans provided by the private companies. They're in it
for the profit, no doubt about it, and they've spent
decades AIDS luring you over and collecting premiums.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
And every year you know that all these.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
People are trying to get you to call a number
so they can sell you a plan. You don't have
to be sold a plan. You don't have to go
sort out all this stuff.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
You can go to.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Medicare dot gove, okay okay. Care has its own plans
and they are not Traditional Medicare is not spending money
on advertising, so you're not hearing from them. But traditional
Medicare is still what most people are on. And so
all those celebrities and everybody else out there is trying
(06:37):
to sell you a private company plan, and the private
companies are in it for the profits, so they are
closing this year. Many less profitable health plans across the nation,
and the main ones in the marketplace are Humana and CBS.
So if you have a Medicare advantage plan with Humana ORBS,
(07:00):
you need to check it really carefully because it may
not be the same for twenty twenty five as it
has been in the past. So they are slashing benefits
and canceling plans and especially less profitable plans that are
forcing over half a million seniors to sign up for
(07:22):
something that costs more. So they're also Humana is leaving
thirteen markets around the country and that affects five hundred
and sixty thousand beneficiaries.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
So I don't.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Expect they're leaving Memphis, but some of the rural areas
in other areas.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
If you're listening to this, check your plan carefully.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Every year you get a little booklet from your plan,
including Mandicare, it says what the changes are for the
coming year. Take a really close look at it. This
year your plan may.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Not even be there.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
It may cost you more, There may be bigger deductibles,
there may be bigger co pays. Because Humana at least
is cutting ten percent of the people on its plan
and thee The chief financial officers of both of these plans,
Humana and CBS have stated that these changes are being
made due to the profitability of the plan. The difference
(08:19):
with traditional medicare is they're not in it for the profit.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
That's our government.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
So and they have a really nice website where you
can pick out all kinds of different plans that they
don't have to be private, so you don't. Essentially you
have hundreds of thousands of seniors across the nation scrambling
to find coverage right now before December seventh, So think
(08:47):
about going back to traditional medicare, get yourself a supplement
plan that's an option, or find a better plan under
Medicare advantage if you want to.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Stay with it.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So private insurance company are also dependent on having healthcare
providers like the hospitals and the networks like Baptist and
Methodists accept their plans and Medicare advantage companies are having
a hard time doing that. It's getting harder, and they've
lost contracts across the nation. They've lost twenty seven contracts
(09:21):
because they have excessive pre authorization denials and slow payments,
and those people who are in business to provide Medicaare
can't afford the slow payments. So rural medicare providers are
struggling to stay afloat if they stay with them, and
they've cut some of these Medicare advantage plans off, which
(09:41):
reduces the provider network for people out in the country,
and that's really hard. So during this open enrollment period,
make sure you're making an informed decision about your Medicare
coverage for the coming year, and make sure you remember
that Medicare advantage is price but insurance, not the government's
(10:01):
medical care. Double check what your old Medicare advantage plan
may cover for the coming year, and before making any changes,
make sure your doctors are on their list so that
you don't have to change. So make sure they're in network.
Don't talk to salespeople, speak to the plan provider directly,
(10:24):
or better yet, if you're in Shelby County, the Shelby
County Commission on Aging helps you for free. I'm going
to give you their number. Okay, reach out to the
Aging Commission of the Mid South for Shelby County because
that's what they do. They have a whole bunch of
people who know all about this and they can help
(10:44):
you for free. They can help you sort it out,
choose what you need, get through it.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
You don't have to pay somebody to.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Do this either. This is a government service, so that
number is nine oh one two two two four one
one one, and we already let them know they'll be
getting calls this month.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Okay, you let them know.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Yeah, you put this number out there, and so please
call the Aging Commission and they help Shelby Countians and
ask for Medicare assistance and they will walk you through
all the choices and so that that's a good thing.
They're they are on a grant from the federal government
to help people with that. That's the national thing. And so, uh,
(11:27):
the Aging Commission, the head of the Edding Aging Commission
is that a lady named.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Kim Doherty, and you know, we cooperate with.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Her all the time on helping our seniors. And so
they provide free and unbiased assistance regarding Medicare and they
don't try to sell you things. So it's all good there.
So we encourage you to just pay attention this year
because a lot of these plans are changing a lot.
Regular Medicare is still regular Medicare. You get a new
(11:55):
benefit under that this year, which is you're out of
pocket costs for drugs next year for certain drugs, it's
not going to be more than two thousand dollars and
for people who have really expensive ones, that is a
heck of a break. So that's a new law, but
and we hope it stays in effect. So that's your
update on medicare as. Always, if you need help with
(12:19):
your taxes, your property taxes, call Trustees Office nine oh
one two to two oh two hundred and we will
be there till four thirty on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Wednesday, Hierarchy, Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
It's the last business day of the month, so people
come in. But uh, but we'll be out eating.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Turkey on on Thursday.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Yes, will you be there Friday? Will you be out
Friday to REGI.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yes, Hi, Friday is a holiday too, and we'll put
it on all our social media. Okay that in just
a minute, that that the county is closed on Thursday
and Friday, the business offices.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
So we're one of them and we will be but
we'll be.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Back eight am Monday morning if you need anything from us.
And so you know, we are in the middle property
tax season for the county, so make sure you know
about that and pay attention to those little tax brochures
and your property tax bill tells you all about benefit
programs like tax freeze and tax relief, and the income
limits have gone up and the county still matches that money.
(13:23):
So it's real benefit for seniors, disabled and for disabled veterans.
So please take advantage of the benefits you can on
reducing your property tax bill and call us and your
taxes are due by the end of February, but we
can keep talking to you for another month or so
(13:44):
about those applications for tax freeze and tax relief till
April fifth.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Sounds good, now, Regina. You always have some good news,
you have any good news?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
This time I have some good news.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Good easy.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
What it is?
Speaker 1 (14:00):
So this is on October sixteenth of this year, the
Federal Trade Commission. Now we've been we've been hearing good
news from the Consumer Financial.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Protection Bureau for a while.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
So this is the Federal Trade Commission announce the final
click to Cancel rule for consumers.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
They put it out for.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Coming in sixteen thousand consumers coming and so now it's final.
And the rule requires sellers to make it as easy
for consumers to cancel enrollments and subscriptions as it was
to sign up. You know, when you go to websites
or other things and then sign you up for a
subscription and then you start getting stuff every month and
(14:41):
then you go to cancel, whether it's magazines or.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You know, make up whatever, vitamins.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
And when you go to canceling, you can't figure out
how and they make they make you call them. Yeah,
they'll they'll sign you up on the website, but there's
no cancel on the website.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
You got to call them right.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Well, new rule, new rule from the Trade Commission, and
that is that they had to make it as easy
to cancel as it was to sign up.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
So that's going to be on their website.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
If you signed up on their website, you can cancel
and click a box on their website. You don't have
to spend hours on the phone. So one of the
final new rules will go into effect one hundred and
eighty days after published in the Federal Register, So we
don't know exactly when that is yet, but businesses are
starting to do it already. So what the Commission chairman
(15:30):
said was too often businesses make people jump through endless
hoops just to cancel a subscription in the truth Wow,
So especially for a magazine, it's terrible. So this new
rule will end these tricks and save Americans time and money.
Nobody should be stuck paying for service they no longer want.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
So it's plain words.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
And we're very happy for the click to cancel rule.
But they've been talking about it for about a year.
So now if you click to subscribe.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
You can click the cancel.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
I like that.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
That's some good news. Yeah, I like that, click the cancel.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Click the cancel.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
So we're we're all excited and hopefully well, we'll keep
hearing good news a little bit of the time, so
I'm looking for more in December.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Sounds good. I love the good news absolutely. I love
the good news system.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Now I hope everybody's out there got all their groceries
because the grocery store is messed.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
I can tell you.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yeah, it's a mess.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh no, ready to cook on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
That's right, ready to cook because I'm sure those folks
are in the grocery store today and tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yesterday and tomorrow and Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
You can imagine, Yeah, yeah, I can't. It's all good.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So we are looking forward to a long things giving weekend.
I hope everybody has a great time with family and
friends and very safe.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
And it's gonna get cold in Memphis.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Hey, Hey, Regina, this is my kind of weather.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
I know we're gonna have a winter. It's gonna be
below freezing in a few days.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Good, good, good.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You hear it?
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Well, as always, Regina, I love this.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
This month's wallet Warning Medicare advantage updating. You gave us
an update. Thank you, thank you, Thank you so much
for doing that.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Sure, and we will be back next month with whatever
we decide.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Okay, all right, it sounds good, sounds good. Well, Regina.
I want to wish you and your family.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And your staff are happy Thanksgiving and you all be
safe out there.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Thank you. We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Our folks work really hard, and so it's nice for
them to have a four day break.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Yes some of them. Anyway, some of them have to
work Friday.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
But I hear I hear you, I hear it.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
I know, but it is. It is gonna be hopefully
a nice, long, relaxing weekend for everybody, and just enjoy yourself.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Yeah you to Regina. That's right.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Give thanks, that's the main thing. Thank you, Regina. Maris Newman, R.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Shelby County Trustee. As always, I do appreciate you.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Ben. Okay, talk to you next month. All right, bye
bye bye bye.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Our Shelby County Trustee Regina Marson Newman. And that Medicare
advantage update.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
And also if you need numbers always you can email me.
I'll give you those numbers and that number two the
are partners at the Aging Commission.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Of the Mid South. It's nine zero one two two
two for one.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
One one and request y'all Medicare assistance. That's the Aging
Commission of the Mid South. Nine zero one two to
two for one one one.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That number will get you.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Yeah, all right, okay, yeah, I want to thank you
callers and listeners as always.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Yeah, you know I do. I want to thank you today.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
For joining us here on the Bay of Johnson Show.
You know I do. I really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow. I'll be here tomorrow. So till until tomorrow,
please be saved. Hey for cool head, y'all, don't let
(19:38):
anyone steal your joy. Until tomorrow. I'm Bev Johnson, and
y'all keep the faith. The views and opinions discussed on
The Bev Johnson Show are that of the hosts and
callers and not those of the staff and sponsors.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
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